Kilkenny
Farms West
One of Waunakee's newest and most talked-about communities — rolling southwestern views, saltwater pools, trail-connected schools, and walkable access to downtown. Built on land with Irish roots dating to 1848.
Built on Irish Land.
Designed for Modern Life.
The name isn't marketing — Kilkenny Farms West sits on land settled by Irish immigrants in 1848, and the street names reflect that heritage. Developer Livable Communities by Don Tierney brought the same thoughtful infrastructure approach here that distinguishes their other Waunakee communities. The 2026 MABA Parade of Homes selection and the inaugural Wisconsin St. Jude Dream Home Showplace both called Kilkenny Farms West home — a signal of the caliber of construction happening here.
Located in Waunakee's southern corridor off Highway Q, the neighborhood offers something genuinely rare in Dane County: rolling southwestern countryside views from a community that's still within walking distance of a real downtown. Trail systems weave throughout and connect directly to Waunakee's schools on Woodland Drive — kids can walk or bike without crossing major roads.
"Rolling southwestern views from a neighborhood walkable to downtown — that combination doesn't exist anywhere else in Dane County."
The mixed-use character sets Kilkenny apart from most new subdivisions. Aldi is inside the neighborhood. Buck & Honey's, Era Cafe, Starbucks, Noodles, Jimmy John's, and Kwik Trip are directly across Highway Q. Everyday life here genuinely doesn't require a car in the way most new construction communities do.
What Draws Buyers to Kilkenny Farms West
Eight things that come up in every conversation with buyers who chose this neighborhood over others in Waunakee.
Saltwater Pool Access
Residents have access to the saltwater pool complex in neighboring Kilkenny Farms — lap pool, activity pool, and kiddie pool. Saltwater is gentler on skin and eyes. It's a meaningful upgrade from a standard chlorine pool and a genuine daily quality-of-life difference.
Trail-Connected Schools
Walking and biking trails connect directly to the intermediate and elementary schools on Woodland Drive — without crossing major roads. In a market where school proximity carries a measurable resale premium, being trail-connected to two schools is significant.
Rolling Views That Stay
Southwestern countryside views from a neighborhood that's still within 1.1 miles of downtown Waunakee. Those views don't get developed away — the land use behind the community preserves the sight lines. That's a rare combination in Dane County.
Beer Garden Shelter
A community gathering shelter designed specifically as a beer garden — an outdoor fireplace, communal seating, and a setting built for neighborhood socializing. Not something you find in most new subdivisions. The social infrastructure here was intentional.
Bolz Conservancy Adjacent
Kilkenny Farms West sits directly adjacent to the Bolz Conservancy — wooded trails opening to hilltop prairie views. Trail access is essentially from your backyard. Built-in nature without driving anywhere.
Walkable Daily Life
Aldi inside the neighborhood. Buck & Honey's, Era Cafe, Starbucks, Noodles, Jimmy John's, and Kwik Trip directly across Highway Q. Grabbing groceries or morning coffee without a car is genuinely possible here — that's unusual for new construction in Dane County.
New Construction Quality
Modern floor plans, energy-efficient builds, builder warranties, and the 2026 MABA Parade of Homes distinction — the quality of construction here is demonstrably above the average new development. The St. Jude Dream Home Showplace set a public standard.
Park Amenities That Match
Zipline, basketball, tennis, pickleball, volleyball — the main neighborhood park is one of the better-equipped in Waunakee. Plus the outdoor amphitheater and brick fireplace shelter that give the community a gathering point year-round.
Waunakee Community School District
Kilkenny Farms West feeds into one of Wisconsin's top school districts — and the trail system connects directly to two of the schools without crossing major roads.
Heritage Elementary School
The primary elementary school serving Kilkenny Farms West. Trail-connected — students can walk or bike from the neighborhood directly to school on Woodland Drive without crossing major roads.
Waunakee Intermediate School
6273 Woodland Drive, Waunakee, WI 53597 · (608) 849-2176. Also trail-accessible from Kilkenny Farms West via the Woodland Drive path.
Waunakee Middle School
Strong academics and extracurriculars within the district's unified 4K–12 structure. Kids grow up with the same community from elementary through graduation.
Waunakee Community High School
Home of the Warriors. Ranked #1 in Wisconsin for athletic programs and #8 nationally — one of only three Wisconsin schools in the national top 10 for athletics. AP courses, PLTW, and gifted programming available.
Trail connection note: The Kilkenny Farms West trail system connects directly to Heritage Elementary and Waunakee Intermediate School on Woodland Drive. Students can walk or bike to both schools without crossing major roads — one of the most meaningful walkability features in any new Waunakee development. Always confirm your specific address boundary at waunakee.k12.wi.us before writing an offer.
Outdoor Life in Kilkenny Farms West
Within the neighborhood and within easy reach — the outdoor infrastructure here is one of the strongest arguments for Kilkenny over comparable new construction elsewhere in Waunakee.
Main Neighborhood Park
One of the better-equipped neighborhood parks in Waunakee. Zipline, basketball court, tennis court, pickleball court, volleyball court, and playground equipment. The kind of park that draws kids from surrounding streets — which means the neighborhood actually uses it.
Outdoor Amphitheater & Brick Fireplace Shelter
An outdoor amphitheater and brick fireplace shelter give the community a gathering point year-round. Summer evenings around the fire, community events in the amphitheater — social infrastructure that most new subdivisions don't think to include.
Beer Garden Shelter
A designated beer garden gathering space — an outdoor communal shelter built specifically for neighborhood socializing. Not a standard amenity. It signals something about the community's character that the developer invested in this.
Saltwater Pool Complex — Kilkenny Farms
Kilkenny Farms West residents have access to the saltwater pool complex in the adjacent Kilkenny Farms neighborhood — lap pool, activity pool, and kiddie pool. Saltwater pools are gentler on skin and eyes than standard chlorine pools and are increasingly the standard in premium communities. View amenity details →
Neighborhood Trail System
Connected trails weave throughout Kilkenny Farms West and link directly to Heritage Elementary and Waunakee Intermediate School on Woodland Drive. Walk or bike to school, to downtown, to the conservancy — without a car.
Bolz Conservancy — Adjacent
Kilkenny Farms West sits directly adjacent to the Bolz Conservancy — wooded trails opening to hilltop prairie with panoramic views of the Waunakee countryside. Trail access essentially from your backyard. Built-in nature without driving anywhere.
Yahara Heights County Park — ~7 miles
141 acres with off-leash dog area, kayak/canoe launch, hiking trails, and access to Cherokee Marsh. The Yahara River feeds Lake Mendota here — one of the best wildlife watching spots in the Madison region.
Governor Nelson State Park — ~6 miles
Lake Mendota access with sandy beach, swimming, fishing, effigy mounds, and 8+ miles of trails. Capitol views from the shoreline. Cross-country skiing in winter. Waunakee's signature outdoor amenity — essentially in your backyard.
Food, Coffee & Everyday Errands
The walkability here is genuine — Aldi inside the neighborhood, six dining options within a five-minute walk across Highway Q, and downtown Waunakee 1.1 miles away.
Aldi
Grocery shopping right inside Kilkenny Farms West. Being able to walk to groceries without a car is a genuine daily lifestyle upgrade that most Waunakee neighborhoods can't offer. Now open.
Buck & Honey's
Waunakee's "date night" restaurant, right across Highway Q. OpenTable 4.8/5. Upscale casual, seasonally changing menu. The place locals take out-of-town visitors to make an impression.
Era Cafe
French crepes, Nashville chicken waffles, Bloody Marys, breakfast all day. A five-minute walk across the highway. One of the most recommended spots for new Waunakee residents.
Starbucks
Morning coffee on foot is a real thing in Kilkenny Farms West. Starbucks is across Highway Q — walkable from the neighborhood for a quick morning stop.
Noodles & Company · Jimmy John's
Quick casual options directly across Highway Q. Lunch without getting in the car — a small thing that adds up over the course of a week.
Kwik Trip
Wisconsin's beloved convenience chain, across Highway Q. Gas, snacks, coffee, and the Kwik Trip cheese curds that have their own following. More useful than it sounds.
Getting There From Here
Drive times from Kilkenny Farms West to the destinations that matter — airport, hospitals, employers, and downtown.
| Destination | Distance | Drive Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) | ~9 mi | ~16–18 min | Direct flights to 19+ cities · American, Delta, United |
| Downtown Waunakee | ~1.1 mi | ~4–5 min · bikeable | Restaurants, library, farmers market, shops, depot |
| Downtown Madison | ~12 mi | ~16–22 min | Via US-14 or Highway 113 |
| Waunakee Area EMS (Local 911) | ~1.5 mi | <5 min | 201 N. Klein Dr, Waunakee · (608) 849-7522 |
| UW Health / UW Hospital ER | ~13 mi | ~18–22 min | 600 Highland Ave, Madison · Full trauma center |
| UnityPoint Health – Meriter ER | ~14 mi | ~20–24 min | 202 S. Park St, Madison |
| Epic Systems (Verona) | ~20 mi | ~25–30 min | Major regional employer |
| UW–Madison Campus | ~14 mi | ~20 min | Via Highway 113 or University Ave |
| Truax Field (115th Fighter Wing) | ~11 mi | ~18 min | Wisconsin Air National Guard |
| Milwaukee Mitchell International (MKE) | ~80 mi | ~1 hr 20 min | Nearest large hub airport |
Drive times are estimates under normal conditions. Peak hours on Highway Q and US-14 may add 5–15 minutes.
Off-Leash Areas Near Kilkenny Farms West
A Dane County Dog Park Permit is required at designated off-leash areas. Permits are valid across all Dane County Parks, Waunakee, Sun Prairie, and Middleton dog parks.
Ripp Park Pet Exercise Area
951 West Main Street, Waunakee, WI 53597 · 4.84 acres of open off-leash space on the north end of Ripp Park. Hours: Mon–Thu 7am–4:15pm · Fri 7am–noon · (608) 850-8500
Yahara Heights County Park Dog Area
28 WI-113, Waunakee, WI 53597 · 20-acre off-leash area with trails, water access, and kayak/canoe launch. Permit required · Dogs must be licensed · (608) 224-3730
Middleton Dog Park
Off County Highway Q & K · Large open field with three-quarter-mile loop and fenced agility course. Gravel and grass paths, benches and shade at entrance.
Kilkenny Farms West — What Homes Are Selling For
Based on 12 months of sold data from the SCWMLS, homes in Kilkenny Farms West have been selling in the $900K – $1.3M+ range — reflecting the premium new construction quality, school district demand, and amenity package the neighborhood offers. As a still-developing community, sales volume is building — which means pricing is still being established rather than plateaued.
For the most current Waunakee market conditions — including new construction pricing, inventory levels, days on market, and price trends — visit the monthly market report or contact John directly for subdivision-specific data.
Kilkenny Farms West FAQ
Looking at other Waunakee neighborhoods or want current market data?
Interested in Kilkenny Farms West?
John Reuter is a Waunakee local, Top 5% Realtor, and retired Air Force veteran. Real advice on new construction, builder contracts, and what's actually available — no pressure.
Veterans & Heroes —
There's More on the Table
Integrity Homes' Reward Our Heroes program serves veterans, active military, first responders, teachers, and healthcare workers with real estate savings averaging $4,200 per transaction. John Reuter is a retired Air Force veteran and Military Relocation Professional — Kilkenny Farms West is 11 miles from Truax Field.
Looking at other neighborhoods in Waunakee?
← View All Waunakee Neighborhoods