Upcoming Opportunities for Public Engagement about the Odana Hills Golf Course Improvements and the Proposed Changes to Odana Road
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On September 24, the City of Madison Parks Division hosted a public open house at the Odana Hills Golf Course clubhouse to discuss the redesign of the 18-hole golf course and the construction of a new community clubhouse. Despite the many proposed changes, the plan preserves the existing parking lot and the important pedestrian and bicycle connection between the Southwest Commuter Path and Odana Road, while relocating the vehicle entrance farther west along Odana Road. This public open house kicked off a series of public engagement opportunities this fall, allowing residents to weigh in on the proposed designs.
Golf Course Improvements & Storm Sewer (Virtual Meeting #1)
Join City staff for a virtual Public Information Meeting focused on the golf course and Storm Sewer improvements project:
When: Wednesday, October 7, at 6:30 PM
Where: Virtual: Register to attend
Board of Park Commissioners (In-person)
The final revised Odana Hills Golf Course Master Plan will be reviewed by the Board of Park Commissioners at their October meeting:
When, Wednesday, October 14, at 6:30 PM
Where: Parks Lakeside Offices 330 E Lakeside St, Boardroom
Madison, WI 53715
Written Comments: You can send comments on agenda items to pacommission@cityofmadison.com
Park & Clubhouse Design (Virtual Meeting #2 )
Join City staff for a virtual Public Information Meeting focused this time on the Odana Hills East Park and the Clubhouse design:
When: Thursday, November 5, at 6:30PM
Where: Virtual (Registration link is not available at this time)
Parks Division staff have also been working with City Engineering and Traffic Engineering on the ancillary changes to Odana Road, which includes a new 10-foot-wide shared-use path with lighting along the south side of Odana Road between Wedgewood Way and Charles Lane. The new shared-use path would provide a safer route for people walking, biking, and rolling than the existing unprotected on-street bike lane. Note that the existing street parking and bike lane on the north side of Odana Road will not be removed.
Other proposed improvements associated with the project include new street tree plantings and pedestrian refuge medians with Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) at Hilltop Drive, Orchard Drive, and Charles Lane.
While attendees at the September 24th Open House generally supported the proposed improvements included in the many changes to Odana Road, one issue sparked considerable debate. Many expressed concerns about a proposed median that would prohibit left turns from Charles Lane onto Odana Road and restrict eastbound traffic on Odana Road from turning left onto Charles Lane. Attendees generally favored retaining the existing median opening and continuing to allow vehicle access into and out of Charles Lane.
Based on public feedback at the Open House, City engineering staff are revising the proposed alternatives designs before presenting the project to the Transportation Commission and the Board of Public Works later this year. No final decisions have been made regarding left-turn access to and from Charles Lane and Odana Road.
Given the level of public concern, I will continue advocating for additional public engagement meetings and traffic studies before a final decision is made on whether to permanently restrict left-turn access to and from Charles Lane onto Odana Road. As both the Odana Hills Golf Course improvements and the Odana Road reconfiguration continue to move forward, regular updates will be posted on the City's project webpage.
Project Updates: Odana Hills Golf Course Project Updates