Conservancy Place is a picturesque 650-acre community settled along 3 1/2 miles of the Yahara River.
For a virtual tour of Conservancy Place…
Located in DeForest, Wisconsin, its rolling terrain, expansive permanent open space and convenient access to the greater-Madison area offers you the opportunity to live and work in a progressive, new community.
Through thoughtful design, the plan for each Conservancy Place neighborhood grew out of the location of the river, the contours of the land and the surrounding uses. Conservancy Place is made up of six neighborhoods, including Hawthorn Point, Rivers Turn, Woods Glen and The Knolls (residential), Innovation Springs (office, research) and The Promenade (retail, residential, office).
Each neighborhood is uniquely designed to fit the land, yet feels part of the larger community. Physical features such as consistent quality design standards, community signage and common landscaping visually tie each neighborhood together. The nature conservancy, parks, trail network and community association provide the framework for social interaction. It is this unique combination of physical and social that creates a community rather than just another development.
Single-family, condominium and rental apartment residences are available. Nearly 350 home sites will be developed and quality living opportunities are the norm. Every phase of every neighborhood will have lots against the Upper Yahara River Corridor and every single lot is a short walk away from a park or trailhead.
Condominium choices will abound from townhome units around an urban-style park to estate-quality ranch duplex homes looking over the nature conservancy. Rental opportunities will include quality garden style units along a greenway and units within mixed-use buildings in The Promenade.
As the binding thread in the fabric of this community, the Yahara River is the bedrock that this community is built upon. Groundbreaking development techniques are used in Conservancy Place to create a one-of-a-kind community that protects and nurtures our environmental resources.
Protecting what exists, Conservancy Place includes a natural buffer of land, the nature conservancy, between the Yahara River and people’s homes and businesses. The nature conservancy permanently preserves the habitat for the many plants and animals that make their home here, including one of the state’s highest quality fens.
The conservancy also cleans sediment out of stormwater prior to it reaching the river, thus keeping the river cleaner and healthier. It allows the water to infiltrate, thus recharging ground water aquifers. In addition, the conservancy allows residents, employees and visitors access to the river so everyone can enjoy the sparkling water. Trailheads in each neighborhood lead to the miles of hiking and biking trails meandering through the Upper Yahara River Corridor.
Walkability is one of Conservancy Place’s key sustainable design features. Shorter street block lengths and a fully integrated system of sidewalks and trails supports more neighborhood interaction and a more direct experience of day-to-day community life. Ultimately, it is the experience of being at home within this beautiful natural area that defines what life at Conservancy Place is all about.
Recreation, relaxation and exercise – all are key components of a healthy lifestyle. Yet in these hectic days, getting enough of all three is more like work. At Conservancy Place, recreational activities will abound right off your doorstep. The river, miles of trails and acres of quality parks will entice you to step outside making it easy for outdoor activities to become part of your daily routine.
Upper Yahara River Trail System and Environmental Corridor
At the heart of our recreation network is the Yahara River, winding 3 1/2 miles through a 140-acre environmental corridor. Whether you are interested in a stroll through hardwood stands and fen marshes, a vigorous run up and down hills or a bike ride along the rivers edge, all are possible in Conservancy Place. And don’t forget fishing, canoeing or just sitting and relaxing as you listen to the varied sounds of nature in the conservancy. Best of all, the river and conservancy exist today so you won’t have to wait years after you move in for them to be developed.
Throughout Conservancy Place, scenic trails connect neighborhoods to parks, jobs and shopping. A main spur is in today, making it possible to run, walk or mountain bike nearly the entire nature conservancy from north to south. Asphalt trails will be added along new streets as well. In total, nearly eight miles of trails are planned within the community.
The Upper Yahara River Trail System and Environmental Corridor have been transferred to the Village of DeForest under public ownership. For more information about plans for trail development and land conservation please visit the Village of DeForest informational page.
Click Here for Conservancy Place Trail Map
Building community is an important foundation of Conservancy Place, so ample park space with varied amenities will be provided allowing neighbors to interact with neighbors and community events to be held for all. Five parks on 30 acres are planned including a larger community park and our hallmark park, Conservancy Commons. Each neighborhood will have a park and the trail system will allow you to easily get from one to the other.
Conservancy Commons officially opened in 2009. It is a 3-acre park with a gazebo and picnic tables, an interactive water spray feature, accessible play equipment, and scenic walking gardens. This beautiful community park has become a popular meeting place for neighbors, friends, and family to enjoy the surrounding natural beauty.
If you are interested in reserving the park for your next event, please visit the Village of DeForest Parks Facility Reservations page.
Recreation is not limited to Conservancy Place, with many other activities located in the DeForest Area. A golf course and driving range are across Windsor Road from Conservancy Place. A new soccer complex is about three miles away and a health club is located in downtown DeForest.
Innovation Springs Commercial Park will be home to commercial businesses. In providing a community where people will live, work and play, Innovation Springs was born. Integrating a commercial park into the community allows people to walk or ride their bikes to work. Or, they can enjoy the river after a day of work.
Placing Innovation Springs next to the interstate allows the businesses to get exposure to thousands of people each day and allows for a transition into the residential neighborhoods. Located along River Road, adjacent to the interstate, Innovation Springs offers excellent highway visibility and convenient access from two interchanges. The varied housing options and unsurpassed recreational opportunities within Conservancy Place are a significant amenity to help attract employees.