Cottage Grove has arrived as a premier recreation destination in Dane County and Wisconsin. Championship golf courses, numerous parks with diverse offerings, the west access point to one of Wisconsin’s best bike trails and a sports complex home to rugby clubs and soccer teams provide activity for all ages and interests. Cottage Grove offers get-outside-and-move recreation; come play in Cottage Grove!
McCarthy Park is Cottage Grove’s largest park providing 220 acres devoted to recreation and conservation operated by Dane County. The park’s purpose is to involve youth in conservation and outdoor activities. Summer activities include hiking, camping, picnicking, biking and horseback riding. Winter activities available are cross country skiing, snow shoeing and sledding. For hours, more information and a park brochure, visit www.countyofdane.com
Cycling enthusiasts, runners and walkers rave about the Glacial Drumlin Trail. With its west access point in Cottage Grove, the Glacial Drumlin Trail provides 52 miles of trail through the scenic Wisconsin country side. Cycling events and runs benefiting a cause are routinely launched in Cottage Grove at the trailhead.
Once warm weather appears, cyclists, joggers and walkers from every generation enjoy the trail, one of Wisconsin’s gems. Recently progress has been made on the effort to connect the Glacial Drumlin Trail with the Capitol City State Trail that winds through downtown Madison and then heads south. For more information on the Glacial Drumlin Trail, visit www.glacialdrumlin.com.
The Wisconsin Rugby Sports Complex in Cottage Grove is home to 10 national rugby clubs for women and men of all ages and co-ed flag rugby for grades 3-7. The complex features four championship sports fields (two rugby, two soccer) maintained by Madison United Rugby a nonprofit organization whose focus is community, commerce and competition. The Sports Complex will house the future National Rugby Heritage Center.
This unique facility will provide Cottage Grove and Dane County with an innovative multi-purpose building serving multiple user groups. For more information, see the Sports Tourism section of this guide or visit http://rugbymadison.org/sports-complex.
The Village of Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Department operates nine parks offering a variety of amenities including baseball fields, basketball courts, picnic shelters, soccer fields, tennis courts and an ice rink. Bakken Park features the Dream Park, an impressive playground structure for kids and families. The 38-acre Bakken Park will see future development and expansion.
The parks and recreation department offers a wide variety of programming for all ages. Music in the Grove runs from May through September and features musicians performing at rotating Cottage Grove parks. For more information on parks, programs or Music in the Grove please visit www.village.cottage-grove.wi.us.
When it’s time to enjoy a round of golf, Cottage Grove offers three unique and challenging courses for all ages and skill levels. The Oaks is located off of Interstate 94, featuring a manicured, picturesque 18-hole championship layout, golf instruction, driving range, leagues and outings.
Bring your game! Door Creek Golf Course, voted Best of Madison 2011-2015, is located on Vilas Road, offering a beautiful 18-hole championship course, 9-hole executive course, driving range, golf instruction, leagues, outings and an indoor golf simulator for winter months. Further down Vilas Road is The Farm, a charming 9-hole course with a big red Wisconsin barn running along the finishing hole.
Annual Events in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin
Spring
Optimist Club Easter Egg Hunt
Facebook: Optimist Club of Cottage Grove
Parkinson’s Half Marathon & 5K
parkinsonshalfmarathon.com
Summer
Smokin Hot BBQ
cottagegrovefire.org
Cottage Grove Golf Outing
cottagegrovechamber.com
Firemen’s Festival
www.cottagegrovefire.org
Hot2Trot Run
hot2trotcottagegrove.org
Family Fun Night
cottagegrovechamber.com
Music in the Grove
village.cottage-grove.wi.us
Fall
Night Golf
cottagegrovechamber.com
Monona Grove Schools Fall Festival
www.mononagrove.org
Winter
Christmas in the Grove
cottagegrovechamber.com