Fitchburg, WI, (Madison Metro)
/When I think of Fitchburg, three words pop into mind: FITNESS, ACTIVE, COMMUNITY.
Fitchburg, a small but growing city on Madison’s south west edge offers up an impressive spread of fantastic parks, cycling & mountain bike paths, conservancies & green spaces. The city is home to over a dozen fitness centers including some very niche & specialized businesses- many of which are locally owned.
Coffee Shops, restaurants, bars, Community events
A variety of restaurants, coffee shops & bars (again, many locally owned) are dotted throughout the community. Farmer’s markets, an annual art fair, regular art exhibits, outdoor concerts; festivals, the list goes on.
Cycling in Fitchburg is easy & scenic
While quiet, wooded trails usher you from one side of the city to the other via the Cannonball Path, commuters heading to Downtown Madison are in for an enjoyable ride along the Capital City State Trail. The Quarry Ridge mountain bike park provides more than three miles of off-road mountain bike and hiking trails within.
Looking to get out of town? The Badger State Trail & the Military Ridge State Trail are a breath of fresh air; many beautiful country road routes are sure to please as well. Consider taking the Pedal Around Paoli route (Side note: if you’ve not been to Paoli, it’s a fun destination for a meal, drink, ice cream, music or shopping. So many gems in this tiny town.)
Fitchburg is the proud recipient of the Bicycle Friendly Community award from the League of American Bicyclists. Check out Bike Fitchburg to connect with a group of passionate cyclists to stay in the loop on topics such as cyclist safety, trail expansions or to simply to find a group to ride with.
Green Spaces
Capital Springs State Park and Lake Farm County Park
Just outside of Fitchburg, these parks offer many recreation opportunities including camping, hiking & skiing trails, picnicking, fishing & a boat launch.
Nine Springs E-Way
Extending from Dunn's Marsh to Lake Farm County Park, this seven-mile corridor includes many points of interest such as large areas of wetland & sedge meadows, native forests & many large springs that flow into Nine Springs Creek, providing an ideal habitat for a wide variety of vegetation and wildlife.
A system of trails that includes the Capital City Trail is being developed for year-round public use and enjoyment. The trail system provides opportunities for jogging, hiking, biking, nature study, photography & cross-country skiing. At present, six miles of trail have been established on the eastern end of the corridor.
UW-Madison Arboretum
Quick and easy to access, the UW Arboretum has several trails for hiking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. A pedestrian tunnel makes it simple to access acreage north of the beltline as well. Stop in at the Visitor’s Center for maps plus a wide array of books, gifts, art & more.
Parks
Fitchburg is committed to public recreation and open space, providing residents with around 730 acres of open spaces, parkland and recreation trails in at least 95 different areas. This includes parks, athletic fields, natural areas, greenways, trails, a golf course a community center and more.
McKee Farms Park
This park is HUGE, featuring many sport fields and courts, a large pond, an expansive and unique playground (The Kid’s Crossing Playground), pathways, a seasonal ice rink and a splash pad. The park also hosts free outdoor concerts in the summer as well as festivals, including Fitchburg Days.
Chicory Meadows Park
Located along the Capital City Bike Trail, Chicory Meadows contains sports fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, playground equipment, shelter, picnic tables & sledding hill.
The Badger Prairie Park & Prairie Moraine Park are nearby
Along the Ice Age Trail, The Badger Prairie County Park offers a dog exercise area, dog agility equipment, play fields, shelter facility, walking trail, mountain bike trails, a playground and even an aero-modeling field! The 160 acre Prairie Moraine Park serves as the center of the Ice Age Trail Junction Area, provides access to the Military Ridge State Trail as well as a segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
