Prairie Postcard From the SW Bike Path

Some of the finest and most lovingly cared-for prairie plantings in the Wingra Watershed thrive along the SW Bike Path.

Brown-eyed Susan and Purple Coneflower in a prairie planting along the SW Bike Path.

Planted and maintained by dedicated individuals and volunteer groups and sponsored by neighborhood associations, prairie plantings have graced the SW Bike Path since 2002.

Yellow coneflower (Ratibida pinnate) in a SW Bike Path prairie.

Now at their summer peak of bloom, the bike path prairie plantings are full of coneflowers,     vervain, liatris, nodding onion, sawtooth sunflower, and graceful prairie grasses such as big and little bluestem, Northern dropseed, and Indian grass.

Hoary vervain (Verbena stricta), a favorite of native pollinators.

Volunteer work to plant prairies along the SW Bike Path has been supported from the start by the City of Madison Engineering Division, the Friends of Lake Wingra, Madison Gas & Electric, Dudgeon Monroe Neighborhood Association and Westmorland Neighborhood Association, and others.   This cooperative efforts is an example of civic engagement community-based restoration at its best.

A biker speeds past the DMNA Prairie at Odana Road.

Get out along the SW Bike Path soon to enjoy the splendor of the prairies.  These native plant gems can be found scattered along the SW Bike Path from Prospect to Glenway St. to Odana Road to Midvale Boulevard and on to the Beltline Highway.