Back to What's New

The new Conservancy Place subdivision off Interstate 90/94 in DeForest offers more than other developments can only imagine.

Conservancy Place's focus is on integrating nature and the community. Settled along three-plus miles of the Yahara River, Conservancy Place is a picturesque 650-acre progressive community.

"We have a real green focus here," said Jim Ring, who, along with his brothers Joe and Mike of Park Towne Development in Madison, is developing the neighborhood.

The development has a 184-acre environmental corridor that will be preserved, accounting for nearly one-third of the development's total land area.

Pedestrian-friendliness is one of Conservancy Place's key sustainable design features with its shorter street-block lengths and a fully integrated system of sidewalks and trails that support neighborhood interaction.

Forty acres of parks, in addition to the preserved area, will be part of the final development. Residents can already hike in the natural areas and can cross the Yahara River via some classic old wooden bridges.  Additionally, noted Ring, cross-country skiing trails and bike paths are planned. The area has already been the site of two fun runs/walks organized by the Rings. Jim Ring added that he expects children growing up in Conservancy Place will appreciate the close proximity of the wooded areas.

Other plans for the development include a school and commercial development, which the Rings expect will be built in 15 to 20 years. When complete, the Rings estimate that approximately 5,000 employees will work in Conservancy Place, as 140 acres are set aside for an office research park and about 20 acres are for neighborhood retail.  This will all be done while maintaining a 75-foot buffer with the wetlands.

Conservancy Place was created using the latest in sustainable design techniques. For example, said Jim Ring, infiltration swales are used along streets rather than stormwater pipes, which keeps the river cleaner and healthier. Green architecture plays an important role in both residential and commercial buildings. An incentive program will encourage and reward green practices in building design and construction, including sustainable approaches such as daylighting and the use of natural and recycled materials.

The first area in Conservancy Place to sprout houses is Woods Glen, where residents already live and new homes are for sale. The Rings have had success encouraging builders to construct homes that follow Green Built standards.

One home currently for sale in Woods Glen was featured on the most recent Madison-area tour of solar and green homes. It was built by Nathan Engstrom of Greenstar Homes, a progressive residential construction and development company specializing in resource- and energy-efficient building practices that are better for the heatlh, safety and welfare of people, communities and the natural environment. GreenStar Homes builds selectively in traditional neighborhoods, conservation developments and in-fill lots in currently existing neighborhoods.

"Conservancy Place was the perfect fit for us," said Engstrom.

Notable features in Engstrom's home include high energy-efficiency, recycled-content materials; natural limestone and slate tile; bamboo flooring in the formal living and dining areas; natural linoleum flooring in the kitchen; a tile backsplash made from recycled glass; resource-efficient trim and millwork; low-VOC paints and finishes; non-carcinogenic insulation; and non-toxic natural materials wherever possible.

More information on this home is available at www.GreenStarHomes.biz.

Jim Ring expects Conservancy Place will have 350 single-family houses, 380 apartment units and 544 condominium units when it is completely finished. For more information on the Conservancy Place development, visit www.ConservancyPlace.com.