The Lewis Nine Springs E-Way is a seven mile environmental corridor envisioned by UW-Madison Professor of Landscape Architecture Phil Lewis. Dane County dedicated the Nine Springs E-Way to Phil and Libby Lewis (Phil’s wife) in 2012 to recognize their many contributions to the Dane County Park System including Phil’s nationally acclaimed environmental corridor planning concept that would be the basis for creation of the Nine Springs E-Way, and Libby Lewis’ lifetime dedication to environmental advocacy including 26 years of service on the Dane County Park Commission.
The Lewis Nine Springs E-way extends from Verona Road on the west to Lake Farm County Park on the east. The corridor includes many points of natural and cultural interest including extensive areas of wetlands, prairies, forests, Native American mound sites and numerous large springs which flow into Nine Springs Creek. In addition to these natural and cultural features, the Lewis Nine Springs E-Way includes many educational and recreational opportunities including the following:
A system of trails (including the Capital City State Trail) is being developed for year-round public use and enjoyment. The trail system provides opportunities for jogging, hiking, biking, nature study, photography, and cross-country skiing. The trails also lead to scenic overlooks and vistas of the surrounding areas. The corridor and trails provide an excellent outdoor classroom for nature studies, science projects and school field trips. At present, six miles of trail have been established on the eastern end of the E-Way corridor. The trailhead, located near Lake Farm County Park, can be reached from US Highway 12/18, south on South Towne Drive and then east on Moorland Road to the Nine Springs E-Way parking lot.
The Dane County Seminole Mtn. Bike Trails are located on the western side of the E-Way (see map). A Dane County Mtn. Bike Trail Permit is required and can be purchased from a self-serve kiosk at Dawley Park or online. Access to the trailhead is from the Capital City State Trail just east of the bicycle roundabout. Winter use does occur, however the trails are not maintained for biking in the winter. A shelter with restrooms, water and bicycle repair station are located east of the mountain bike trail at the City of Fitchburg Dawley Park on Seminole Hwy.
