Friends of Governor Dodge - Equestrians
We are very excited to announce that we have been awarded a $20,000 Knowles Nelson Stewardship grant! These funds will help pay for the purchase and installation of a permanent, handicap accessible vault toilet at the Day Ride trail head area. This amenity, planned for spring installation, will be enjoyed by the horse riders, hikers and rock climbers who use the trail head. It will eventually serve the new 21-site equestrian campground planned for the area.
***** Other FOGD-E News *****
Fundraising Update
Thanks to the many generous donors, our "Rise to the Challenge" campaign netted $29,404, which equates to $54,404 with the match from a generous park supportor! Since June, 2018 we have raised over $140,000 of the $650,000 needed to begin construction of the new equestrian campground.
Installation of the first phase of the project, a vault toilet, is scheduled for Spring 2019. Watch for it!
We have an exciting new RAFFLE fundraiser going on right now. Check it out!
Visit us at the Midwest Horse Fair ColiseumBooth #86 April 12-14
We continue to seek corporate partners and assistance through foundations and grants.
Our Journey
2019
- Amazing Raffle January-April SIX great prizes!
- Applied for WI Horse Council Trails grant
- Hired Rule Excavating of Dodgeville, WI to install vault toilet and make improvements at Trail Head parking area.
- "Just for Fun" Events held in Dodgeville: February Glass Painting & Pizza and March Saddle Cleaning
- Awarded $20,000 Knowles Nelson grant for vault toilet
- Booth #86 in Coliseum at Midwest Horse Fair April 12-14
2018
- Continued meeting with DNR
- Hired Ayres & Associates for campground plan revisions
- Final campground plan chosen
- Planning for major capital campaign begins.
- Hosted June Poker Ride and Silent Auction Fundraiser
- Hosted "Share the Trails" Open house/Ice Cream Social
- Awarded GuideStar GOLD Seal of Transparency
- "Rise to the Challenge" initiative nets over $54, 000.
- New signage installed on all Governor Dodge trails. Two new mounting blocks installed. Maple Grove picnic stop created on long Driftless Trail (formerly known as Outer Loop) All thanks in part to grant from WI Horse Council
- Applied for DNR Knowles Nelson grant
2017
- Conducted feasibility study of campground plans
- Continued Meeting with DNR
- Hosted June Poker Ride Fundraiser
- Hosted August “Share the Trails” Open House/Ice Cream Social
2016
- DNR provided first round of concept plans for new campground based on our “wish list”
- Hosted June Scavenger Hunt Fundraiser
- Hosted August Horsin’ Around Kids Camp
- We became Equestrian Committee under Friends of Governor Dodge State Park
2015
- Group formed with a goal of seeing trail improvements and a new campground at Governor Dodge State Park
- Met with DNR many times
- Hosted June Scavenger Hunt Fundraiser
- Hosted August Horsin’Around Kids Camp
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Friends of Governor Dodge State Park, Inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to supporting recreation, education, and environmental stewardship at Governor Dodge State Park. We are the Equestrian Committee of the Friends of Governor Dodge State Park and, like our parent group, we serve as a great resource for a great park. Located in the unique driftless area, Governor Dodge State Park is one of Wisconsin’s largest and most beautiful state parks. Our committee, organized in 2015, has been working with the DNR to complete several trail enhancements, while our ultimate goal is to see the park's master plan for a new horse campground become a reality. We have DNR approved campground plans in hand and have raised $140,000 since our campaign began in mid 2018. We encourage everyone to get involved. Together we can make a difference now and well into the future.