Friends of Governor Dodge - Equestrians

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Our Accomplishments

  • Amazing Raffle January-April  Raised $13,000
  • Awarded WI Horse Council Trails grants totaling $6,000.
  • 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
  • Awarded two $3,000 WHC Trail Grants for vault toilet and day ride parking improvements
  • Raised awareness with booth at Midwest Horse Fair April 12-14
  • Awarded Special Achievement Award by WI Horse Council 
  • Installed vault toilet at day ride area which will also service future equestian campground
  • Hosted Dodgeville 5:01 Chamber of Commerce/ VIP event at park
  • Netted over $12,000 at annual June Poker Ride/Hike and silent auction. 
  • Hosted Share the Trails Event - 250 Park users learned how to safely share the trails with horses. 


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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Governor Dodge State Park is located just north of Dodgeville in the unique Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin. The Friends of Governor Dodge State Park is a 501 (c) 3 organization whose mission is to support recreation, education and environmental stewardship at the park. As the equestrian committee of the Friends, we serve as a great resource for both horse enthusiasts and the park.
     

Since forming in 2015, our committee has completed many trail enhancements including new trail location signage, a rest stop/picnic area on the long Driftless Trail, and a new vault toilet "comfort stop" at the trailhead adjoining the future campground. We have presented annual Share the Trails educational programs and have hosted community events.
     

Our major goal is to see the park’s master plan for a new equestrian campground become a reality. We have DNR approved plans in hand and have raised $205,000 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. 



Supporting Recreation, Education and Environmental Stewardship

at Governor Dodge State Park

***** Special Announcements *****

100EW: Launch of New Fundraising Campaign! 

100 Extraordinary Women is a national organization that empowers women to join together to support causes they believe in and create a bigger impact than they could on their  own.  Through this online giving campaign 100 Extraordinary Women donate or pledge $1,000 to the Friends of Governor Dodge - Equestrian capital campaign.  Your gift can be a one time donation or pledges can be made over 5 years.

   $16.67/month  or $200/year or one time gift of $1,000

100 donations = $100,000

Men can donate in honor or in memory of a woman who is important to them. Women can form groups and give a gift together, e.g., family members, sisters, bowling teams, books clubs. These extraordinary women will receive special, permanent recognition at the future equestrian campground at Governor Dodge State Park.

Find out more/donate visit :  




Thank you to the WI Horse Council for awarding the 2019 Special Achievement Award to us at the Midwest Horse Fair!