MADISON, Wis. -- Plans are in the works to rebuild one of Madison's popular outdoor treasures: Picnic Point on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.

The nearly mile-long peninsula along Lake Mendota's southern shore attracts thousands of visitors each year, and has been one of Madison's most distinctive landmarks.

"It is being loved to death," said Al Fish, UW-Madison vice chancellor of facilities. "It's being trampled, (has) a lot of erosion. The roots are being worn out."

Planners are looking to restore Picnic Point, ridding it of invasive species, helping cure erosion and building a natural fire circle.

"The views are not good and the fire circle is broken down," said Fish. "So, we're looking at a project that can both reopen the views and harden that surface a little bit in a very small area, so that when people go out there in concentrated groups, it's protected."

The project is scheduled to begin in 2010 and finish later that year.