Oregon Rotary Path/Kellar Alpine Meadows Park

In southern Wisconsin, a scenic ride awaits cyclists near the village of Oregon, on a route composed of two trails. Oregon Rotary Trail runs 3.2 miles west of the village, within Oregon Township. A short path links it to Keller Alpine Meadows Park in the village of Oregon. Inside the park, trail-goers take a 2-mile path in a large circle that leads back to the park entrance. With a return trip on the Oregon Rotary Trail, the entire ride is 8.6 miles long.

Several hills and ridges are included in the route, with some fairly steep climbs. The trail’s surface of blacktop asphalt is in excellent condition. There are a few sections on the Oregon Rotary Trail where the surface is crushed stone. Even there, the condition doesn’t decrease.

The Oregon Rotary Trail is well-equipped. The simple trailhead has a parking lot and picnic table. Park benches, picnic tables, and garbage cans are located along the route. The trail also has mileage markers, and signs at each hill showing the angle of ascent and descent.

Several amenities are located at the entrance to Kellar Alpine Meadows Park. Next to the parking area are picnic tables, park benches, a bicycle self-service station, and portable toilet. Park benches are found along the entire circular route.

Two locations serve as trailheads. The Oregon Rotary Trail begins off County Highway D (Fish Hatchery Road). By car, the trailhead is reached by driving south from US. Highways 12, 14, 18, and 151 (Madison’s beltline) on County Highway D (Fish Hatchery Road) for 6.7 miles. The trailhead is 0.6 miles south of the intersection with County Highway M.

In Oregon, Keller Alpine Meadows Park is accessed on Netherwood Road. To reach the park by car, exit U.S. Highway 14 south onto County Highway MM (Main Street). Drive one mile, proceeding straight through several roundabouts into Oregon. Turn right (west) on Netherwood Road and go 0.6 mile to the park entrance on the left (south) side of the road.

The trailhead off County Highway D is next to Swan Pond. A historical marker describes the pond’s unique origins. Retreating glaciers created nearby ridges or “moraines” of rock and soil. Eventually, huge chunks of melting ice created small lakes and ponds called “kettles.” Swan Pond is a shallow water-filled kettle (2 to 3 feet deep) in this hilly moraine area.

Swan Pond is a haven for migrating waterfowl. Birds flock to the pond in spring, summer, and autumn, as do avid birdwatchers. Bird watchers are often  seen on the trail, binoculars focused on the pond. About 200 species of birds have been identified here, including the common killdeer, whose distinctive call is easily heard.

From the trailhead, Oregon Rotary Trail travels west nearly a half mile past Swan Pond, marshlands, and fields. It then ascends a ridge and enters a picturesque hardwood forest. To the left (north), below the ridge, is another small kettle pond. The trail meanders through the forest and along the side of the ridge for a half mile, rising and falling in elevation.

The trail then descends the ridge and skirts a massive marsh. Sections of the marsh are filled with dead and dying trees. This lowland is part of Swan Pond Waterfowl Production Area. It is a natural wetland and grassland in the National Wildlife Refuge System that serves as a sanctuary for birds and wildlife. “Waterfowl Production Area” signs are seen along the trail in this area.

For the next half mile along the Swan Pond Waterfowl Production Area, the paved path is interrupted by sections of crushed stone. Signs indicate that the trail passes through private property here. The path journeys along the edge of a forest and marsh, before leaving the waterfowl production area and ascending a hill to enter a forest.

The path runs through the forest for the next half mile. It then turns left (north) and travels next to fields. After another hill, the path turns right (east). It runs straight and fairly level 0.7 mile before turning right (south) and traveling next to Cusick Parkway for a half mile.

The Oregon Rotary Trail ends at Netherwood Road, next to a sign bearing its name. A bike path continues across the street, however. Turning left (east) on it takes trail-goers into the village of Oregon. Going to the right (west) leads to Kellar Alpine Meadows Park. It’s a short distance to the park’s entrance, which may also serve as trailhead.

Heading west, the trail bypasses what will be the return route, and continues to the park’s western edge. It then turns south and travels next to Alpine Parkway for a half mile, past Oregon’s new public library. At the southern edge of the park, the trail turns left (east) and tracks along County Highway CC for 0.3 mile. It passes a pond and crosses a bridge before turning left again, this time to the north. A connector path continues straight into Oregon.

The last section of the trail in the park winds through picturesque meadows that are filled with wildflowers in summer. From the bridge, it’s 0.8 mile back to the park entrance. Bicyclists then follow the connector path back to the Oregon Rotary Trail, where it’s 3.2 miles back to the starting trailhead.

The village of Oregon has several amenities for visiting trail-goers. There are restaurants, sandwich shops, and coffeehouses. The Chocolate Caper is a staple of downtown Oregon, specializing in Swiss pralines, truffles, chocolate, and other sweet treats.

^{Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.}

In 1841, the village of Oregon was founded by Bartlet Runey. The settlement was first known as “Rome Corners.” When the Chicago and Northwestern Railway laid a line through the village in 1864, their maps indicated the name was “Oregon.” The name stuck, and the village was incorporated in 1881.

Trail last ridden and documented in August, 2023.