05/11/08

Upcoming 2008 events

Potential Activities - check back for details

	Day Dog Walk fundraiser for the park? to be scheduled
	Moonlight Hikes
	Geo-Caching Event

Rockport Park is Janesville's largest city park. The developed area of the park includes the Swimming Pool, Peace Park playground, and soccer fields. The Natural area of the park includes cross-country ski, hiking and biking trails, wildflowers and an original historic 1850 historic farmstead site. Park trails are open to dog walking from September 15 to May 15.

Rockport Park Trail Map

Bio Diversity Study - FORP partners with UW Rock botany and ecology classes on a biodiversity study of the park. Rockport Park is home to several different ecosystems ranging from dry sandy hills, to wetland, to woodland. The park is home to a variety of native grasses and wildflowers.

Stream Monitoring of Fisher Creek with UW Rock County Conservation Class
We also identified plants with UW Rock Botany Class
Hosted a summer Owl Hike at night with Rock County Conservationists

Friends of Rockport Park Ski Trail Grooming

Randy Gant and Rich Bostwick groom the entire six miles of trails. Thanks guys!

Want to join the Friends of Rockport Park? Email Dean or call 756-1832.

Friends of Rockport Park (FORP) was organized in July 2000. In the past 5 years, FORP has accomplished many things:

	Purchased the City of Janesville snowmobile and groomed Rockport Park cross country ski trails.
	Held several nature hikes (including many night time full moon hikes – a wonderful time to see the park).
	Cleared woody brush.
	Held fundraising events to help fund the Peace Park Project.
	Worked to eradicate garlic mustard along the park trails. This is a huge and ongoing project. The rewards will be more beautiful trails, more wildflowers and native grasses.
	Advocated for park expansion and park protection with City of Janesville and Rock Township.
	Park cleanup days. We cleaned many bags of trash out of creeks throughout the park.
	Adopt-a-Trail responsibility for the bike trail in the park.
	Candlelight Ski events each January -------- think snow.
	July owl hike in conjunction with Rock County Conservationists
	Participated in ArborFest 2005.

FORP Goals to:

	Preserve and enhance Rockport Park as a natural city park.
	Actively work for improvement to the park as a natural setting both by advocacy and by volunteer efforts.
	Oppose development or uses of the park that are detrimental to Rockport as a natural area.
	Increase the park acreage so future generations may enjoy the beauty and benefits we have today.

Connections

To find out about our meetings, outings or work projects, please contact

email Friends of Rockport Park

Join Friends of Rockport Park

Name ______________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________

City ___________________________ State _________ Zip ___________

Phone _____________________ Email ___________________________

Dues paid ___________________

Please give $10 or more.

Mail dues to: FORP 3301 W. Rockport Park Drive, Janesville, WI 53545

This site was last updated 05/11/08