Friends News
Devil's Lake State Park Closed Until Further Notice
Due to unprecedented crowds, littering and vandalism, the following Wisconsin State Parks are now closed effective Friday, April 10 for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency
Due to unprecedented crowds, littering and vandalism, the following Wisconsin State Parks are now closed effective Friday, April 10 for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency:
NORTHEAST REGION
High Cliff State Park
SOUTHEAST REGION
Big Foot Beach State Park, Harrington Beach State Park, Havenwoods State Forest, Kohler-Andrae State Park, Kettle Moraine State Forest Lapham Peak, Loew Lake, Mukwonago River, Northern Unit, Pike Lake, Southern Unit, Lakeshore State Park, and Richard Bong State Recreational Area
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
Aztalan State Park, Belmont Mound State Park, Blue Mound State Park, Cadiz Springs State Recreational Area, Capital Springs State Recreational Area, Cross Plains State Park, Devil’s Lake State Park, Fenley State Recreational Area, Governor Dodge State Park, Governor Nelson State Park, Lake Kegonsa State Park, Lower Wisconsin Riverway, Mackenzie Center, Mirror Lake State Park, Natural Bridge State Park, Nelson Dewey State Park, New Glarus Woods State Park, Rocky Arbor State Park, Sauk Prairie State Recreational Area, Tower Hill State Park, Wyalusing State Park, and Yellowstone Lake State Park, Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area, Pewits Nest State Natural Area, Parfrey’s Glen State Natural Area and Dells of the Wisconsin State Natural Area Our goal is to maintain the safest environment for visitors and staff. If you’re looking take a break in the outdoors, public health officials are advising you to walk, run, hike and bike in your local neighborhoods and maintain a social distance of 6 feet or more.
Questions? Contact DNR Customer Service:
1-888-936-7463
7 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily
For more information, visit the Wisconsin DNR news release.
State Park Events Cancelled Through March 31st
The Friends of Devil's Lake State Park is cooperating with the Devil's Lake State Park DNR staff in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. While the park will remain open for visitors, all DNR events are now cancelled through March 31st (mainly the remaining two Weekend Wild Walks).
Update on March 20, 2020 at 11:20am: The Wisconsin DNR has issued the latest press release yesterday on March 19, 2020 at 3:25pm.
Wisconsin State Parks and Trails will remain open to the public. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources continues to receive the most up-to-date information and will adjust operations as conditions change. We will continue to monitor on-the-ground circumstances each day to determine if park closures become necessary. […]
The Friends of Devil's Lake State Park is cooperating with the Devil's Lake State Park DNR staff in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. While the park will remain open for visitors, all DNR events are now cancelled through March 31st (mainly the remaining two Weekend Wild Walks).
We will hold off on posting any new events hosted by the park or the Friends for the time being. Our currently scheduled Music in the Park series will remain on our calendar since this is three months out.
➡️ You may view the DNR's calendar of future Devil's Lake events here (cancellations may be noted):
https://dnr.wi.gov/calendar/events/parks/…
Thank you all again for your patience and cooperation. Please stay safe!
The Friends
Recap: Members Brainstorm Meeting
The Friends of Devil’s Lake hosted a member’s only brainstorm meeting for members to share their hopes, ideas, and talents for our beloved state park. The brainstorm meeting was held at the City of Baraboo Municipal Building at 101 South Boulevard on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 from 5:00-8:00 pm.
The Friends of Devil’s Lake hosted a member’s only brainstorm meeting for members to share their hopes, ideas, and talents for our beloved state park. Members received notice of the meeting in the Winter issue of the “Advocate”, via email, and on social media. If you missed the meeting, and would like to contribute, don’t worry. We will have additional opportunities to contribute your ideas, and you can always contact us at friendsofdevilslakestatepark@gmail.com.
The brainstorm meeting was held at the City of Baraboo Municipal Building at 101 South Boulevard on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 from 5:00-8:00 pm.
The meeting was held to share information on the process of updating the future master plan of the area including Devil’s Lake State Park and to formulate recommendations the Friends will be making to the State at a later date on behalf of the Friends group.
Park Superintendent Steve Schmelzer explained the importance of updating the Devil’s Lake State Park master plan since the last update of the master plan occurred on February 25, 1982.
The categories focused on at this meeting were trail management, amenities, recreational activities, solutions to current issues, and other items (misc). After placing suggestions up for each category, each member was allowed to go through each suggestion to help rank the suggestions based on priority per category.
To all of our members who joined in on the brainstorm meeting, thank you for your valuable input, and helping the Board in prioritizing the suggestions!
#friendsofdevilslake #devilslakestatepark
Music in the Park 2020
With the start of the new year, we are pleased to announce the upcoming 2020 dates for our annual “Music in the Park” concert series. This year, we are switching up the dates and times and holding each concert on the LAST SATURDAY of the summer months and beginning at a later hour.
With the start of the new year, we are pleased to announce the upcoming 2020 dates for our annual “Music in the Park” concert series. This year, we are switching up the dates and times and holding each concert on the LAST SATURDAY of the summer months and beginning at a later hour.
Introducing the 2020 lineup!
Saturday, June 27, 2020 from 7pm-9pm - The North Code
We would like to welcome The North Code this year who will be kicking off the “Music in the Park” series. The North Code is an indie-folk band based in Madison.
Saturday, July 25, 2020 from 6pm-8pm - Swing Crew
Last year, Swing Crew packed the Rock Elm Shelter to keep out the rain for their “interactive acoustic” show. This was quite a cozy concert, and a whole lot of fun!
Saturday, August 29, 2020 from 6pm-8pm - Noah John and Ringing Iron
Also from last year, we had Noah John and Ringing Iron on the patio for their very entertaining bluegrass show. Welcome back!
General Event Information
The concert series is free to the public with a valid park sticker. The stage will always be outdoors near the east lawn by the Chateau, but in case of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Rock Elm Shelter.
The Friends of Devil’s Lake State Park will have a tent and table set up to sign up new members and sell merchandise. Donations to the Friends are welcome and will be announced during intermission. Please stick around until the end of the show or during intermission to meet the bands and purchase their merchandise.
Gift of Joy - Friends Membership
Do you have a special someone who cares about preserving Devil’s Lake State Park? Give them the Gift of a Friends of Devil’s Lake Annual Membership!
Do you have a special someone who cares about preserving Devil’s Lake State Park? Give them the Gift of a Friends of Devil’s Lake Annual Membership! We have a few membership options to choose from, and we will send out welcome letters in both mail and e-mail formats to your gift recipient, to let them know you gifted their membership (optional) and information on how to access their membership account on our website.
Print out the gift membership form here! There are two forms per page.
#DevilsLakeCommunity #GiftOfJoy #FriendsOfDevilsLake
Recap: Annual Members Meeting 2019
We held our Annual Membership Meeting over the weekend. Our special guest for the evening was Megan Makos, Outreach Director for Assist WI. https://www.assistwi.org/. Megan spoke about all of the wonderful ways they help individuals with disabilities and their families share the wonders of our special local venues such as our beautiful natural areas and water parks.
We held our Annual Membership Meeting during the evening of Sunday, September 29th, and our special guest for the evening was Megan Makos, Outreach Director for Assist WI. https://www.assistwi.org/. Megan spoke about all of the wonderful ways they help individuals with disabilities and their families share the wonders of our special local venues such as our beautiful natural areas and water parks.
Assist WI’s Presentation
The meeting this year was held at the recently renovated Red Oak Shelter (South Shore), and catered by Broadway Diner. Our President, Dave Barger opened the event, followed by Park superintendent Steve Schmelzer who gave a report on park projects that occurred this year and what will be needed for next year going forward.
Dave Barger conducts the 2019 Annual Meeting, the last of his presidential duties as his term ended.
Two board members’ terms have ended (Dave Barger and Sandy Snow). We thank them both for their dedication and service to the Friends and to Devil’s Lake. Although we are sorry to see Dave and Sandy go as board members, we are excited to announce their replacements. Please welcome Kristen Holm and Kurt Goeckermann!
Kristen Holm and Kurt Goeckermann have been appointed by the Friends as the new Board Members!
Recap: Music in the Park 2019
Last August, we concluded our concert series “Music in the Park” that featured Madtown Mannish Boys. We had three musical acts in total: one for every last Sunday of the summer months and coincidentally, each one hosted on a different location as their stage.
Last August, we concluded our concert series “Music in the Park” that featured Madtown Mannish Boys. We had three musical acts in total: one for every last Sunday of the summer months and coincidentally, each one hosted on a different location as their stage. Here is our little recap for each concert:
The Swing Crew
Swing Crew hosted in the Rock Elm Shelter (due to inclement weather) on Sunday, June 30th. Both the band and concert goers braved the elements and had a cozy evening of laughter and interactive acoustic music to put everyone in a good spirit. Swing Crew brought in a couple special guests to perform a couple numbers with them.
Noah John & Ringing Iron
Noah John & Ringing Iron hosted in the patio area near the Chateau on Sunday, July 28th. We couldn’t have asked for a better day to host an outdoor music concert! This trio delighted concert goers and even park visitors passing through with Americana country bluegrass music.
Madtown Mannish Boys hosted in the grassy area between the North Shore parking lot and the Chateau on Sunday, August 25th. The Madtown Mannish Boys brought all shades of blues to the evening, even trading off vocals and instruments on some songs! We’re happy to see folks get up and dance along with the children.
We are thankful for all of the bands and everyone who attended this 2019 summer concert series 2019, and we are looking forward to next year’s run! Stay tuned for an announcement for music act submissions on our website and social media.
#friendsofdevilslake #musicinthepark #devilslakestatepark
Reminder for our Annual Members Meeting & Dinner!
This is a friendly reminder to all of our Friends members that the Annual Member Meeting & Dinner is coming up at the end of this month on the South Shore in the newly-renovated Red Oak Shelter. Please RSVP to friendsofdevilslakestatepark@gmail.com by September 18th so that you may receive your voting ballot and be included in the dinner count. You may bring non-member guests, but the cost is $15/person to be paid at registration on the day of the meeting.
This is a friendly reminder to all of our Friends members that the Annual Member Meeting & Dinner is coming up at the end of this month on the South Shore in the newly-renovated Red Oak Shelter. Please RSVP to friendsofdevilslakestatepark@gmail.com by September 18th so that you may receive your voting ballot and be included in the dinner count. You may bring non-member guests, but the cost is $15/person to be paid at registration on the day of the meeting.
Please check your email for the detailed itinerary that went out last week on what members will be voting on at the meeting. For any questions, please contact us by email or on our contact page. We look forward to seeing you all at the newly-renovated Red Oak Shelter on South Shore!
Event details:
https://www.friendsofdevilslake.org/events/calendar/2019/9/29/2019-annual-friends-member-meeting