Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of August 11, 2025

Image credit: Stephen Kennedy

Last fall, Sequoya Library featured an exhibit of local artist Stephen Kennedy’s creative maps, including one depicting a section of District 11 as part of Madison’s “15-minute city” — where key amenities are within a 15-minute walk or bike ride. After seeing this exhibit, I began exploring how this concept can help create more connected, livable neighborhoods in our community. Inspired by this map, the District 11 Book Club will discuss Shrink the City: The 15-Minute Urban Experiment by Natalie Whittle on Wednesday, August 20, 7:15–8:30 PM at Sequoya Library. 

Everyone is welcome to join this free, informal conversation—even if you haven’t finished the book—and limited copies will be available at the library’s Ask Desk.

Boards, Commissions, and Committee Meetings

Note: This is not a complete list of meetings for this upcoming week. All meetings and their details can be found at the Meeting Schedule page.

• Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, August 11, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include enhancing the City’s street tree protection provisions, as well as development-related requests in Districts 2 and 12.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Board of Park Commissioners: The Board of Park Commissioners meeting will take place on Wednesday, August 13, at 6:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include approving the Madison Parks Division’s 2025-2030 Park & Open Space Plan.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online

If you would like more information about becoming a member of a City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here.

Public Information Meetings (PIMs)

• Pontiac, Boston, Nokomis, and Rosewood Reconstruction, Thursday, August 14: A public information meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 14, 2025, via Zoom. Registration is required prior. If you are a resident of a property adjacent to Pontiac Trail, Boston Court, Nokomis Court, or Rosewood Circle please fill out a questionnaire by 11 a.m. Aug. 18, 2025.

Announcements and News Releases

Image credit: City of Madison

• Safer Streets Are Built Through Local Community Input. Share Your Opinion in the Midvale Boulevard Questionnaire by September 2, 2025 This is your opportunity to weigh in on what you would like to see happen on Midvale Boulevard. Your input will help shape the final design and ensure it reflects the needs and values of the community.
• Metro Transit August Service Updates: Starting Sunday, August 17, Metro will implement a number of route, schedule, and stop adjustments, including providing all-day service to Verona, WI. [posted August 8, 2025]
• Leaf Them Alone: Madison Strengthening Tree Protection Ordinances : New and stronger tree protection measures will be introduced at the Common Council's August 5 meeting. [posted August 4, 2025]
• August Student Move Out Days Are Here: Starting today (August 4, 2025) and : lasting until Friday, August 22, 2025, the Streets Division will be performing extra collection duties in the downtown moving days area. Daily Cart Pickups During the Move Out From August 4 to August 22,

Please visit the City news webpage to find additional news and announcements and to subscribe to receive notification of news releases as they are posted.

Events

• Monday Mornings at The Glen, Monday, August 11, 2025 (This event occurs on multiple dates): Enjoy The Glen for a stroll, nature, workout or leashed dog walk from sunrise to 8:00 am. Tee times resume at hole #1 at 8:00am. Visitors should be alert for golf balls and golfers while exiting the course.
• Conservation Park Tour at Moraine Woods Conservation Park, Wednesday, August 13: We'll explore the half-mile trail(opens in a new window) and more in Moraine Woods, giving a peek into the work, management and plans for the area.
• Capitol City Band Concert, Thursday, August 14 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm:   Join friends and neighbors for a free evening of music at Rennebohm Park 115 N Eau Claire Ave, Madison, WI 53705
• Brat Fry Friday, Friday, August 15 at the Glen Golf Park: Come join us for lunch at the links!  The grill will be fired up from 10am-3pm for a delicious afternoon treat. Brats are $5.00 each or choose to make it a meal and add chips and a soda for $8.00 or chips and a beer for $10.00.  This event is open to all to participate!
• Dane Dances: Rebulu Group / LoveMonkeys, Friday, August 15: Dane Dances is a free, family-friendly event held every Friday evening in August on the beautiful Monona Terrace rooftop. The much-anticipated summer music series promotes inclusivity for all ages and is a great way to get down and dance with your friends, family, or coworkers.
• Mobile Vaccination Clinic - Mendota Elementary School, Saturday, August 16: All vaccines are free for eligible individuals. Children six months and older who lack insurance, are under 19, and are either Alaskan Native or American Indian, as well as those with BadgerCare or most other types of insurance, can receive vaccinations at no cost.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Starkweather Creek Area, Saturday, August 16: Eken Parkland. Join Tara Daly and Friends of Starkweather Creek at the Eken Park Festival to learn about Starkweather Creek and the parks and natural areas right in the heart of east side Madison.
• Adapted Open Swim, Saturday, August 16: Join MSCR for Adapted Open Swim, a free and inclusive event at the Goodman Pool! These swim sessions are designed for individuals of all abilities, their caregivers and families to enjoy the water all together in a supportive space.
• Movie in the Park | Twisters, Saturday, August 16: Join Downtown Madison's Business Improvement District (BID) and Madison Parks for a free movie in Peace Park!
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Warner Park, Sunday, August 17: Nature Journaling ~ Join Master Naturalist Steve Mansorge for a free guided walk and journaling activity or take a walk on your own any day in May to enjoy the natural areas at Warner Park. Pretend you are an explorer making a journal to send back home!  
• Movie at The Glen | Kung Fu Panda 4, Sunday, August 17: Enjoy a fun-filled evening at Movies at The Glen. Starting at 5 PM, catch an exciting martial arts demonstration by Blackbelt America and let the kids jump into the fun with a bounce house on site. Then at 6 PM, settle in for an action-packed outdoor screening of Kung Fu Panda 4(link is external), full of laughs, adventure, and kung fu spirit. Free, family-friendly, and full of energy—don’t miss this lively night at The Glen!
• District 11 Book Club: "Shrink the City: The 15-Minute Urban Experiment and the Cities of the Future" August 20th at 7:15 PM, Sequoya Library

Parks Alive Dates!

Parks Alive builds stronger neighborhoods and connects neighbors to their parks through fun, family-friendly activities, music and free food. Events are held in parks across the city and throughout the summer. Connect with your neighbors and engage with your community at a Parks Alive event near you! Events start at 5:00 p.m.

• Parks Alive at Elver Park, Monday, August 11
• Parks Alive at Aldo Leopold Park, Tuesday, August 12
• Parks Alive at Warner Park, Wednesday, August 13
• Parks Alive at Owl Creek Park, Thursday, August 14

Additional upcoming events can also be found on the City events calendar.