Edna Taylor Conservation Park
Edna Taylor Conservation Park
Tips
July 3, 2025
Hiking
A BELIEVER IN SENSIBLE ECOLOGY" SHE PROPOSED TO SELL
37 OF HER 98 ACRES OF LAND TO THE CITY OF MADISON ADDED TO 10 ADJACENT ACRES ALREADY HELD BY THE CITY AND 11 ACRES PURCHASED FROM OTHER OWNERS, THE LAND, WHICH INCLUDES A SPRING, A GLACIAL DRUMLIN INDIAN MOUND, A MARSH, AND OAK STANDS WOULD FORM A CONSERVATION PARK TO BE ENJOYED BY FUTURE GENERATIONS.
THIS CITY PURCHASED THE LAND IN
1912. FOUR MONTHS ATTER TAYLOR'S DEATH.
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Nearby routes
Best routes near Edna Taylor Conservation Park
2.01km
00:31
10m
0m
The Edna Taylor Conservation Park Trail offers a delightful, easy escape into nature, winding through marshland, prairies, savannas, and oak forests. You'll find boardwalks over ponds and ditches, and the path even crosses a unique glacial drumlin. This 1.3-mile (2.0 km) hike, with just 18 feet (6 metres) of elevation gain, takes about 30 minutes, making it a perfect quick outing for all ages.
Planning your visit is straightforward, but note that dogs are not allowed in the conservation park, and there are no restrooms or water facilities directly on the trail. However, the adjacent Aldo Leopold Nature Center can provide amenities when open. The trail is generally well-maintained, but some sections can be soft or rough, so it's not stroller-friendly.
What truly sets this trail apart are the ancient Native American Effigy Mounds, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which you can respectfully observe. It's also a goldmine for bird-watchers, with observation platforms for spotting waterfowl, and you might see frogs and tadpoles in the spring. The park's active conservation efforts protect this rich urban ecosystem.
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Elevation 260 m