Waakikižu Natural Resource Area
(formerly known as North Mendota Natural Resource Area)
Steeplechase Condominiums are snuggled into the southwest corner of Waakikižu Natural Resource Area. When Steeplechase was built, the area was a horse stable, Saddlebrook Stables, with pastures and woods for riding.
Today the former stables and land belong to Dane County Parks and is set aside to preserve the natural resources around Six Mile Creek. Many of the fields are being farmed for crops at this time.
It was renamed in 2022 to Waakikižu (pronounced WÄ – ke – ke – zhü) a Ho-Chunk language word that means community or togetherness by middle school students in the Waunakee Community School District.
The Suck the Muck project for 2022-24 is removing phosphorous from nearby Mary Lake on Six Mile Creek. The muck is settling in a retention basin built in spring of 2022 in the Resource Area just east of Steeplechase. By 2024, the basin will be covered over and native plants and wildflowers will be planted.
Our northern boundary views include the past stables and barns, as well as ENchanted Lane which leads to public access to the Resource Area.
Beautiful sunrises, lots of wildlife, birds and walking paths are right next door to Steeplechase.