Starkweather Creek Master Plan 2004 Update (1MB pdf)
BACKGROUND
Starkweather Creek runs through a very urbanized section of the City of Madison. The stream often acts as a backwater to Lake Monona due to low velocities and gradient. The section of stream in question starts at it intersection with Interstate Highway 90 and ends at Lake Monona. There are two branches of the creek, totaling 6.1 miles. Shallow areas along the creek make it difficult for recreationalists to enjoy.
Bike paths, parks, and hiking trails both exist currently or are planned for this waterway. The master plan includes these improvements, making them a priority in the planning process. In early 2004, the City of Madison held a public meeting that helped us to assess the community's interest in addressing problems with Starkweather Creek. The group was in favor of establishing a master plan for the area which would focus on the needs of the neighborhood and the city as a whole.
The Friends of Starkweather Creek and the East Isthmus Planning council held a workshop during which the participants were asked for their input on specific areas: environmental quality, recreation, and community building/education.
City Engineering and Parks Division staff took the comments from the workshops and four existing studies for the creek to write a new master plan. The plan was presented to the public in June 2004. During this presentation further feedback was received from the public which was used to narrow down the ideas and incorporated into the 2004 Master Plan update.
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