Schedule of Events for Take a Stake in the Lakes Days

Click here to download a printable version of the schedule (PDF).

Saturday, June 7:

General Casualty Capitol View Triathlon
The inaugural General Casualty Capitol View Triathlon, featuring Sprint and Olympic Distance triathlons, a Relay Division, a Collegiate Division and a special Kid's Aquathlon. Requires advance registration and fees. Volunteer opportuities available. More information online at www.capitolviewtriathlon.com/.

Time and Place: 7:00am, at Governor Nelson State Park (west shore of Lake Mendota), 5140 County Hwy. M, Waunakee

Contact: Race director, (608) 836-9084, racedirector@capitolviewtriathlon.com

Clean Lakes Festival
Come celebrate (and support) Dane County’s lakes and other water resources with the Mad-City Ski Team and help us kick off Take a Stake in the Lakes Days this year with this all-day celebration including a 5K run/walk, kids races, boat rides, educational exhibits, water ski clinics, Betty Lou Cruises, music, food and drink, and fun for the whole family! Lots more information available online at www.cleanlakesfestival.com.

Time and Place: 8:00am until 9:00p.m. (ALL DAY!), at Olin Park, Madison

Contact: Mad-City Ski Team, (608)663-TEAM(8326), madcityskiteam@yahoo.com

Mendota Rowing Club’s Learn-To-Row Day
Give rowing a try! Learn-to-Row Day is a free event to promote the sport of rowing. Mendota Rowing Club volunteers will provide free rowing instruction for teens and adults including on-land instruction on rowing machines, a tour of the Bernard's Boathouse in James Madison Park, and, weather permitting, all participants will row on Lake Mendota in an 8-person rowing shell. Come on down, rain or shine; however, rowing on the lake is dependent on weather conditions.

Time and Place: 8:30am – 2:00pm, James Madison Park, 622 East Gorham St., Madison

Contact: (608) 257-CREW (2739), learntorow@mendotarowingclub.com, www.mendotarowingclub.com

UW-Arboretum Volunteer Workday (Wingra Oak Savanna)
Volunteer to assist with restoration of (and to learn about) the Arboretum’s prairies and savannas. Tools and training are provided, and groups are welcome with advance notice. An adult must accompany youth. More information online here: www.uwarboretum.org/volunteer/positions/index.php#ecological_restoration.

Time and Place: 9:00am – noon, meet at the gravel parking lot along Arbor Drive just off Monroe St.

Contact: Earth Partnership Field Manager, Marian Farrior, (608) 265-5214, e-mail: mlfarrior@wisc.edu

Yahara Fishing Club’s Kids Fishing Day
It’s DNR’s free fishing weekend, so no license required for kids or adults. First 250 kids 14 and under receive a free rod and reel. Free live bait and instruction from club members. Free food starting at 11:00am. More information online here: www.yaharafishingclub.org/.

Time and Place: 9:00am – 1:00pm, Alliant Energy Center-Willow Island East Pond, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison

Contact: Larry Kopf, (608) 849-7245, ljkopf@tds.net

The Paddlin’ Shop’s Small Boat Sailing Rendezvous
The Paddlin’ Shop is hosting its second annual Small Boat Sailing Rendezvous, a free event open to anyone. It will be a great opportunity to learn why canoe and kayak sailing is one of the coolest ways to "Mess about in Boats". Bring your boat, whether it’s set up for sailing or not. Don’t have a boat?—come by and spectate and maybe even catch a ride. More information online here: www.paddlin.com/news.html.

Time and Place: 10:00am – evening, Burrows Park, 25 Burrows Rd., Madison

Contact: (608) 284-0300, carls@paddlin.com

Rutabaga’s Kayak Fishing Rendezvous
Rutabaga is hosting its first Kayak Fishing Rendezvous, a free event open to anyone. No advance registration required. It will be a great opportunity to learn more about this enjoyable fishing experience that has taken off across the country. Please park on River Place, not Rutabaga’s parking lot. More information online here: www.rutabaga.com/page.asp?pgid=472.

Time and Place: 10:00am – 3:00pm, Rutabaga, 220 West Broadway, Monona

Contact: (608) 223-9300, ext. 1

State Of Wisconsin Free Fishing Weekend
DNR’s annual free fishing weekend. Residents and nonresidents of all ages can fish without a fishing license (or trout or salmon stamps) over these two days. However, all other fishing regulations (length limits, bag limits, etc.) apply. This event is designed to encourage families to get out and fish together on Wisconsin waters. Because children under the age of 16 do not need a fishing license to fish on any day of the year, the motto for Free Fishing Weekend could be, "Take a grown-up fishing!"

Time and Place: All day, all waters of the state

Contact: Theresa Stabo, (608) 266-2272, Theresa.Stabo@wisconsin.gov

18^th Annual Marquette Waterfront Festival (Day 1)
A community festival for all, organized by Madison’s near-East-side Marquette Neighborhood Association, featuring food, music, and games for adults and kids on the shore of Lake Monona at Madison’s Yahara Place Park.

Time and Place: All day, Yahara Place Park, Madison

Contact: (608) 241-7143, www.marquette-neighborhood.org

Sunday, June 8:

18^th Annual Marquette Waterfront Festival (Day 2)
A community festival for all, organized by Madison’s near-East-side Marquette Neighborhood Association, featuring food, music, and games for adults and kids on the shore of Lake Monona at Madison’s Yahara Place Park. Sunday’s activities include a Yahara River canoe race at noon.

Time and Place: All day, Yahara Place Park, Madison

Contact: (608) 241-7143, www.marquette-neighborhood.org

State Of Wisconsin Free Fishing Weekend
DNR’s annual free fishing weekend. Residents and nonresidents of all ages can fish without a fishing license (or trout or salmon stamps) over these two days. However, all other fishing regulations (length limits, bag limits, etc.) apply. This event is designed to encourage families to get out and fish together on Wisconsin waters. Because children under the age of 16 do not need a fishing license to fish on any day of the year, the motto for Free Fishing Weekend could be, "Take a grown-up fishing!"

Time and Place: All day, all waters of the state

Contact: Theresa Stabo, (608) 266-2272, Theresa.Stabo@wisconsin.gov

Governor Nelson State Park 20^th Anniversary Celebration

Time and Place: Starting at 1:00pm, Governor Nelson State Park (5140 County Hwy. M, Waunakee)

Contact: (608) 831-3005, Rene.Lee@wisconsin.gov

Mad-City Ski Team Free Water Ski Show

Time and Place: Starting at 6:00pm, Law Park (on Lake Monona), Madison

Contact: Mad-City Ski Team, (608)663-TEAM(8326), madcityskiteam@yahoo.com madcityskiteam@yahoo.com

Tuesday, June 10:

Rutabaga’s Water Divas Tuesday-Night Group Paddle
Every Second and Fourth Tuesday, June through August. Meet other local women paddlers. Bring your own boat, or you can rent one from Rutabaga for a small fee. These are popular gatherings, so please call to reserve your spot (and a rental boat, if needed). Space is limited. More information online here: www.rutabaga.com/page.asp?pgid=328. Women only.

Time and Place: 6:00 – 7:30pm, Rutabaga, 220 West Broadway, Monona

Contact: Nancy Saulsbury, (608) 223-9300, ext 225, nancys@rutabaga.com

Madison School & Community Recreation’s Drop-In Pontoon Rides
Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 3 through August 30. Enjoy a 90 minute ride around one or more of the Madison area lakes. Arrive about 15 minutes prior to departure time to reserve a spot. First-come, first-served. No registration necessary for up to five people (larger groups should contact MSCR to rent a boat). $4 each person, payable at site. Children 4 and under free. No non-resident fee. More information online here: www.mscr.org/Pontoon-Boat-Program.cfm.

Time and Place: 5:30 – 7:00pm & 7:15 – 8:45 pm, 1615 Sherman Ave., within Tenney Park, on the east side of the Yahara River

Contact: Chad Thom, (608) 204-3020, cthom@madison.k12.wi.us

Wednesday, June 11:

2008 Wednesday Evening Watershed Walk: Dunn’s Marsh
Part of an April-June series of walks in the Yahara River Watershed organized by the Benedictine women of Madison at Holy Wisdom Monastery. More on the entire series of watershed walks here: www.benedictinewomen.org/watershed_walks_08.html.

Time and Place: 6:30pm, Dawley Conservancy Park (3051 South Seminole Hwy., Fitchburg–Take Seminole Highway south from the Beltline or north from Highway PD/McKee Rd. The Seminole Highway parking lot is on the west side of the road just south of the marsh and about ¼ of a mile north of Highway PD.) Meet Brooke Norstad, Chair, Friends of Dunn's Marsh. Comfortable shoes suitable for varied terrain are recommended.

Contact: Nancy Schlimgen, Naturalist, Benedictine women of Madison at Holy Wisdom Monastery, (608) 836-1631 ext. 158, nschlimgen@benedictinewomen.org

Lake Mendota Group Paddle
A Mad City Paddlers-led group paddle to Governor’s Island on Lake Mendota.

Time and Place: 5:45 p.m. Contact trip leader Jonathan Beers (contact information below) for location and info about signing the trip waiver.

Contact: Jonathan Beers, (608) 249-9976, j_beers@hotmail.com

Thursday, June 12:

Rutabaga’s Thursday Evening Excursions Group Paddle
Every Thursday, June through August. The name says it all. This is a laid-back evening paddle for anyone with basic paddling skills (under 16 requires parental supervision). Bring your friends and meet new ones while leaving the work day further behind with every paddle stroke. Use your boat or call to reserve a rental for a small fee. More information online here: www.rutabaga.com/page.asp?pgid=328.

Time and Place: 6:00 – 7:30pm, Rutabaga, 220 West Broadway, Monona

Contact: Nancy Saulsbury, (608) 223-9300, ext 225, nancys@rutabaga.com

Madison School & Community Recreation’s Drop-In Pontoon Rides
Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 3 through August 30. Enjoy a 90 minute ride around one or more of the Madison area lakes. Arrive about 15 minutes prior to departure time to reserve a spot. First-come, first-served. No registration necessary for up to five people (larger groups should contact MSCR to rent a boat). $4 each person, payable at site. Children 4 and under free. No non-resident fee. More information online here: www.mscr.org/Pontoon-Boat-Program.cfm.

Time and Place: 5:30 – 7:00pm & 7:15 – 8:45pm, 1615 Sherman Ave., within Tenney Park, on the east side of the Yahara River

Contact: Chad Thom, (608) 204-3020, cthom@madison.k12.wi.us

Saturday, June 14:

21^st Annual Take A Stake In The Lakes Clean-Up Event
Spring cleaning for the lakes, brought to you by community groups, businesses, citizens and the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission. Clean shorelines, haul weeds, mark storm drains and more. Lakes Mendota, Kegonsa, and Wingra (Clean-ups on Lakes Monona and Waubesa scheduled for Saturday, June 21—see below).

Time and Place: 9:00am – noon, Information Center at James Madison Park in Madison

Contact: Rhea Stangel-Maier, Dane County Parks, (608) 224-3601, stangel-maier@co.dane.wi.us

Capitol Water Trails Stream Clean-Up (Token Creek)
These work days include a variety of duties, from pulling logs from the bottom of a stream to picking up trash along the shoreline. All these tasks involve ensuring clear access for paddlers and maintaining a clean, healthy environment for plants and wildlife. There are no skills required; however we'd suggest that you wear clothes that you don't mind getting dirty. If you have a canoe, you're welcome to bring it along. It may or may not be needed, depending on the number of volunteers present and what jobs we're trying to accomplish for the day. We'll be happy to provide trash bags, rubber gloves, water to drink, and a rewarding experience. Children under 16 only if with a group with adults present. More information online at www.capitolwatertrails.org/calendar.php.

Time and Place: 9:00am – noon or 1:00pm, meet at Daentl Rd. bridge off U.S. Hwy. 51 at Hwy. CV.

Contact: (608) 223-0995, cwt@capitolwatertrails.org

Starkweather Creek Clean-Up
Join the Friends of Starkweather Creek. Meet at Olbrich Park’s parking lot along Starkweather Creek (in view of the Thai Pavilion).

Time and Place: 9:00am – noon, Olbrich Park, Madison.

Contact: John Steines, (608) 251-1893, jsteines@gmail.com

Wingra Creek Clean-Up
Sponsored by Friends of Lake Wingra, Mad City Paddlers, and Strand Associates. Please bring protective gloves and your canoe or kayak, if you have one. We will supply trash bags and drinks.

Time and Place: 9:00am – noon, meet on Plaenert Dr. in Madison at the pedestrian bridge over Wingra Creek.

Contact: David Liebl, Friends of Lake Wingra, (608) 265-2360, liebl@epd.engr.wisc.edu

UW-Arboretum Volunteer Workday (Wingra Savanna)
Volunteer to assist with restoration of (and to learn about) the Arboretum’s prairies and savannas. Tools and training are provided, and groups are welcome with advance notice. An adult must accompany youth. More information online here: www.uwarboretum.org/volunteer/positions/index.php#ecological_restoration.

Time and Place: 9:00am – noon, meet at the gravel parking lot along Arbor Drive just off Monroe St.

Contact: Earth Partnership Field Manager, Marian Farrior, (608) 265-5214, e-mail: mlfarrior@wisc.edu

Starkweather Creek Restoration Planting
Join the Friends of Starkweather Creek.

Time and Place: Noon – 3:00pm, corner of Starkweather Dr. and Hargrove St., Madison.

Contact: John Steines, (608) 251-1893, jsteines@gmail.com

Sunday, June 15:

Mad-City Ski Team Free Water Ski Show

Time and Place: Starting at 6:00pm, Law Park (on Lake Monona), Madison

Contact: Mad-City Ski Team, (608)663-TEAM(8326), madcityskiteam@yahoo.com

Monday, June 16:

Paddle A Voyageur Canoe And Learn About The Yahara Lakes Legacy Partnership
Join representatives of key partners in the new Yahara Lakes Legacy Partnership and learn more about the exciting new effort they (and hopefully you) plan to be a part of. Paddle in the State’s historic replica Voyageur canoes.

Time and Place: Details TBA

Contact: Sue Jones, Dane County Office of Lakes & Watersheds, (608) 224-3764, jones.susan@co.dane.wi.us

Tuesday, June 17:

Madison School & Community Recreation’s Drop-In Pontoon Rides
Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 3 through August 30. Enjoy a 90 minute ride around one or more of the Madison area lakes. Arrive about 15 minutes prior to departure time to reserve a spot. First-come, first-served. No registration necessary for up to five people (larger groups should contact MSCR to rent a boat). $4 each person, payable at site. Children 4 and under free. No non-resident fee. More information online here: www.mscr.org/Pontoon-Boat-Program.cfm.

Time and Place: 5:30 – 7:00pm & 7:15 – 8:45pm, 1615 Sherman Ave., within Tenney Park, on the east side of the Yahara River

Contact: Chad Thom, (608) 204-3020, cthom@madison.k12.wi.us

Thursday, June 19:

10^th Annual Paddle To Work Day
Take the watery way to work! Join colleagues and friends and float to the office. More information available online at www.takeastakeinthelakes.com/events/2008PaddleToWork.aspx.

Time and Place: Early morning, various sites around the county. One flotilla leaves from Starkweather Creek at Olbrich Park on Madison’s east side at 6:30 a.m. (arriving at Law Park adjacent to downtown at around 7:30). Call to reserve your spot in the 25-foot Voyageur canoe or in a loaner boat. Rain date: Friday, June 20.

Contact: Sue Jones, Dane County Office of Lakes & Watersheds, (608) 224-3764, jones.susan@co.dane.wi.us

Dane County Waters Champion Awards Ceremony
Learn what groups and individuals have been doing to protect and enhance Dane County’s water resources as the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission presents some very special people with awards for their efforts and achievements. After the presentation, the award recipients will then be recognized at the Dane County Board of Supervisors’ regular meeting (beginning at 7:00pm, in the City-County Building).

Time and Place: 5:30 – 6:30pm, Madison Club, 5 E. Wilson St, Madison

Contact: Marcia Hartwig, (608) 224-3746, hartwig@co.dane.wi.us

Madison School & Community Recreation’s Drop-In Pontoon Rides
Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 3 through August 30. Enjoy a 90 minute ride around one or more of the Madison area lakes. Arrive about 15 minutes prior to departure time to reserve a spot. First-come, first-served. No registration necessary for up to five people (larger groups should contact MSCR to rent a boat). $4 each person, payable at site. Children 4 and under free. No non-resident fee. More information online here: www.mscr.org/Pontoon-Boat-Program.cfm .

Time and Place: 5:30 – 7:00pm & 7:15 – 8:45pm, 1615 Sherman Ave., within Tenney Park, on the east side of the Yahara River

Contact: Chad Thom, (608) 204-3020, cthom@madison.k12.wi.us

Rutabaga’s Thursday Evening Excursions
Every Thursday, June through August. The name says it all. This is a laid-back evening paddle for anyone with basic paddling skills (under 16 requires parental supervision). Bring your friends and meet new ones while leaving the work day further behind with every paddle stroke. Use your boat or call to reserve a rental for a small fee. More information online here: www.rutabaga.com/page.asp?pgid=328 .

Time and Place: 6:00 – 7:30pm, Rutabaga, 220 West Broadway, Monona

Contact: Nancy Saulsbury, (608) 223-9300, ext 225, nancys@rutabaga.com

Friday, June 20:

Paddle A Voyageur Canoe On The Upper Yahara River (Cherokee Lake/Marsh)
Paddle in the State’s historic replica Voyageur canoes on the Upper Yahara River (Cherokee Lake/Marsh). This event will be an opportunity to view up-close the City of Madison Parks Department’s award-winning effort to restore the river’s shoreline ecology, with tour guidance from the Friends of Cherokee Marsh (http://www.cherokeemarsh.org/).

Time and Place: 6:30pm – dusk, Meet in the parking lot at the School Road landing, 802 Wheeler Rd, Madison. Directions: from Hwy 113 (Northport Drive), go north on School Road to the junction with Wheeler Road. Proceed north on the gravel road to the landing, which is located within Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park’s South Unit.

Contact: Sue Jones, Dane County Office of Lakes & Watersheds, (608) 224-3764, jones.susan@co.dane.wi.us

Saturday, June 21:

21^st Annual Take A Stake In The Lakes Clean-Up Event
Spring cleaning for the lakes, brought to you by community groups, businesses, citizens and the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission. Clean shorelines, haul weeds, mark storm drains and more. Lakes Monona and Waubesa (Clean-ups on Lakes Mendota, Kegonsa, and Wingra scheduled for Saturday, June 14—see above).

Time and Place: 9:00am – noon, Information Center at Law Park in Madison

Contact: Rhea Stangel-Maier, Dane County Parks, (608) 224-3601, stangel-maier@co.dane.wi.us

UW-Arboretum Volunteer Workday (Grady Tract)
Volunteer to assist with restoration of (and to learn about) the Arboretum’s prairies and savannas. Tools and training are provided, and groups are welcome with advance notice. An adult must accompany youth. More information online here: www.uwarboretum.org/volunteer/positions/index.php#ecological_restoration.

Time and Place: 9:00am – noon, meet at the Grady Tract parking lot, located at the southeast corner of the Beltline and Seminole Highway intersection.

Contact: Earth Partnership Field Manager, Marian Farrior, (608) 265-5214, e-mail: mlfarrior@wisc.edu

City Of Madison Parks Volunteer Shoreline Clean-Up
A volunteer lake shoreline clean-up opportunity coordinated with Take A Stake in the Lakes Days by the City of Madison Parks Department.

Time and Place: 10:00am – noon, Brittingham Park Beach House, Madison

Contact: Laura Whitmore, Parks Community Relations Coordinator--City of Madison Parks, (608) 266-5949

Summer Solstice Celebration
Put on by Friends of Starkweather Creek and the Schenk Atwood Starkweather Yahara Neighborhood Association. Have fun…meet your neighbors…celebrate the summer solstice along Starkweather Creek and Lake Monona. Refreshments and bonfire. Canoe rides. Informational tables. Puppets. Music and dancing. More information online here: www.starkweatherfriends.org/events/index.asp .

Time and Place: 4:00 – 9:00pm, Olbrich Park, Madison

Contact: Betty Chewning, (608) 244-0477, bachewning@pharmacy.wisc.edu .

Sunday, June 22:

Mad-City Ski Team Free Water Ski Show

Time and Place: Starting at 6:00pm, Law Park (on Lake Monona), Madison

Contact: Mad-City Ski Team, (608)663-TEAM(8326), madcityskiteam@yahoo.com

Other upcoming water-related events this summer:

Monday, June 23:

Rock River Coalition’s Send Your Legislator Down The River (Outside Dane County)
Join local, county and state elected officials for a paddle into the Horicon Marsh after enjoying a gourmet picnic box lunch and a River Town Hall meeting with local legislators and elected officials. Registration fee required. More information online here: www.rockrivercoalition.org/ .

Time and Place: 4:00 – 8:30pm, DNR Horicon Service Center, 1210 N Palmatory Rd, Horicon

Contact: Marie at 920-674-7295 or email marier@co.jefferson.wi.us

Saturday, August 16:

Better Lawns And Gutters Tour
The Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission and partners bring you a tour highlighting lawns, gardens, rain gardens and more featuring native plants and offering beautiful, low maintenance ways for reducing stormwater runoff and the amount of nutrients, chemicals and other pollutants that are carried from our lawns, gutters, and streets into our lakes and streams.

Time and Place: Watch for updates at www.danewaters.com .

Contact: Marcia Hartwig, (608) 224-3746, hartwig@co.dane.wi.us

Saturday, October 10:

A Clean Future For The Yahara Lakes: Solutions For Tomorrow, Starting Today
A one-day gathering to identify effective, realistic, and cooperative solutions to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution in the Yahara Lakes. Anyone interested in helping to protect and enhance the lakes is encouraged to participate. Sponsored by the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at UW-Madison, in partnership with the Yahara Lakes Association and members of the Yahara Lakes Legacy Partnership.

Time and Place: All day, Monona Terrace, Madison.

Contact: Sue Jones at the Dane County Office of Lakes and Watersheds (608.224.3764, jones.susan@co.dane.wi.us ), or Steve Pomplun at the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies (608.263.3063, spomplun@wisc.edu)