Adaptive Restoration conducted a prescribed burn in early April 2026 at Blue Mound State Park to encourage the establishment of native species and assist in the restoration efforts of Swain, Upper Walnut, and the pool prairies. Following up the prescribed burns with invasive species management has greatly benefited the prairies Read more
Park staff are busy working on cleaning and assembling the pool and building for the season. The pool opens daily for the season on June 13th, but will be open weekends only starting on Memorial Day weekend. Below is the schedule. MAY 23 – JUNE 12, 2026 The pool and Read more
The park may look a little different next time you arrive. Blue Mound State Park staff have been working to remove the dead trees between Mounds Park Road and Pleasure Valley Trail killed by Emerald Ash Borer, along with invasive species such as Honey Suckle and Buckthorn. Park staff began Read more
As we close out 2025, the Friends are pleased to share an update on the remarkable progress, community spirit, and forward momentum that shaped this year at Blue Mound State Park. Despite a few challenges, this has been one of our most productive and hopeful years yet, with meaningful ecological Read more
Blue Mound’s Park Manager Brad Bates recently received the prestigious Legacy Award at the 2024 Wisconsin State Parks Conference. This is awarded to selective individuals in the Wisconsin State Parks System with over 20 years of distinguished service and has shown a long lasting and permanent contribution over the years. Brad started his Read more
WiFi at Blue Mound State Park has been available at the front office and can now be accessed in the Friends Shelter! Visitors can find wifi connection and password information on placards in both the front office and the Friends Shelter. Wifi availability will expand to the amphitheater after completion Read more
It was a big year of restoration at Swain Prairie and Upper Walnut Prairie in Blue Mound State Park. In February, Adaptive Restoration LLC was awarded a 3-year contract for actively restoring these areas. During the first month we took stock of the condition of the prairies and worked with the Friends, Park Read more
The staff at Blue Mound State Park would like to give a heart-felt thank you to the hundreds of volunteers who donated their time, expertise, and energy this year to the park. It doesn’t go unrecognized or unappreciated. While the closure of 2024 marks the end of a very busy Read more
There was a small and motivated volunteer group turn out for seed collection on September 24th. With the sun still warm and bright in the sky, the group headed into the Walnut Prairie with buckets and bags in hand in search of native prairie plants with seed ready for collecting. Read more
The prairies are really starting to take off given mid summer rain and sun. Adaptive Restoration recently performed a site visit of each of the prairies on July 12. All in all, they are pleased with the post-burn and post-spray effects of the 2024 spring season. The crown vetch and Read more