Located on the northwest side of Lake Mendota, the conservancy features natural springs and seeps which flow into Pheasant Branch Creek and lake Mendota at a rate of 1,800 gallons of water per minute.  The oak savannas, prairies, and wetlands of the conservancy are home to an abundance of native vegetation and wildlife species including the endangered Blandings turtle.   The northern portion of the conservancy is owned and maintained by Dane County Parks, while the remaining southern portion is owned and maintained by the City of Middleton.  In the fall of 2005, the City and County completed a 3+ mile trail encircling the conservancy. 

East Trail

This trail segment connects Orchid Heights Park with the school district-owned land along Highland Way.

North Trail

Connecting Pheasant Branch Road with Orchid Heights Park, this trail was completed by Dane County in the summer of 2005.  It provides access to one of the largest and most picturesque springs in the county.

South Trail

Completed on November 22, 2005, this trail segment features one of the longest stretches of boardwalk in Dane County.  Its completion created the ability for visitors to the Conservancy to hike or bicycle around its perimeter.  It also provides pedestrian access to a "duck blind" overlooking the heart of the conservancy.

West Trail

In the summer of 2003, the City constructed this trail along an underground sanitary sewer route, thereby completing a connecting between the intersections of Pheasant Branch Road/Whittlesey Road and Century Ave./Branch St.  In 2005, the City and Dane County worked together to extend this trail northward along Pheasant Branch Road to the county parking lot, which is connected via the North Trail to Orchid Heights Park.  In the fall of 2005, the City constructed a link between the West Trail and the parking lot overlooking the conservancy near the intersection of Pheasant Branch and Gaylord Nelson Roads.

Directions: This trail system can be accessed from the following locations:

* Century Ave./Branch St. intersection (use traffic signal to access trail network on north and south sides of Century)

* Pheasant Branch Rd./Whittlesey Rd. intersection

* Pheasant Branch Rd./Gaylord Nelson Rd. intersection

* County parking lot along Pheasant Branch Rd., in the Town of Springfield

* Orchid Heights Park

* Highland Way (off of Century Avenue)

This crushed limestone trail connects Parmenter Street (old Highway 12) with Century Avenue at Branch Street.  It currently fords the creek five times, so it is not yet completely suitable for bicyclists.  However, in 2007 the city is planning to construct bridges over each of the creek crossings because this trail is part of the regional trail planned to connect Gov. Nelson State Park with the Black Earth Creek watershed west of Middleton. By fall of 2006, the trail will extend west from Parmenter Street to the junction of the North Fork, South Fork, and Highway 12 trails, thereby completing a key "missing link" in this regional trail.  

Directions: The trail can be accessed from:

1) Century Ave./Branch St. intersection, just west of the bridge over the creek.

2) Park Street, just north of the aquatic center.

3) Clark St. cul-de-sac (requires use of steps)

4) OPENING IN FALL 2006:  Parmenter St. (old Hwy 12) just north of the new roundabout.

This paved trail connects the Highway 12 Trail and Deming Way with Evergreen Road in the Town of Middleton and the athletic fields straddling Airport Road.  During the summer of 2006, a portion of this trail will be reconstructed, and the last link in the Pheasant Branch Trail will be installed.  By fall of 2006, it will be possible for trail users to travel between Park Street and points to the west--including the Capitol Ice arena as well as the new soccer fields and baseball diamonds on the former Quisling property--without having to cross any roads!  This trail serves as a gateway to the Black Earth Creek watershed from within the heart of Middleton.  

Directions: This trail can be accessed from:

1) Parking lots on either side of Airport Road, just west of Middleton Municipal Airport.

2) The Capitol Ice arena near the intersection of Pleasant View Road and Evergreen Road

3) The North end of Parview Road

4) The Deming Way bridge over Pheasant Branch Creek

This paved trail runs alongside the South Fork of the Pheasant Branch Creek, connecting Downtown Middleton with Greenway Blvd. west of Greenway Station.  There is about a 1,000 ft. section where it is necessary to follow Deming Way, and to cross at the Hwy 14/Deming signalized intersection.

Directions: This trail can be accessed from:

1) Greenway Blvd. just west of Aspen Commons

2) The Market Street bridge over the creek, just west of Greenway Station.

3) The west side of the roundabout intersection of Deming & John Q. Hammons Dr.

4) The Deming Way bridge over the creek, just north of Discovery Drive.

Note: To access the trail system from Downtown Middleton, head west along Terrace Ave. (beneath the Beltline Highway until just past Full Compass).  Once you reach Deming Way, head either north or south to access the trail (see above).  

In 2005, the Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation completed construction of the paved Highway 12 Trail, which follows the west side of the new Middleton Bypass from the Pheasant Branch Creek Trail north to Schneider Road.  From Schneider, the trail extends north along the east side of the highway to the Springfield Hill area, for a total distance of about 8 miles.  This work was done in conjunction with the State's Highway 12 widening project.

Directions: The southern terminus of the trail intersects the City's Pheasant Branch Trail, between Deming Way and Highway 12.  The trail can also be accessed at the Airport/Century interchange and where Hwy 12 crosses Schneider Road.

Dane County Map for Bicyclists (updated in 2002 and maintained by the Madison Area Metropolitan Planning Organization)

The 2000 Dane County Bicycle Transportation Plan includes a variety of facility recommendations for Middleton and surrounding communities.  See Tables 9 and 10 to see the recommended on-street and off-street (trail) improvements.