Volunteer with our parks; Wingra Watershed and Bicycle Projects PIMs; Events & Announcements

Hello neighbors,

One of the wonderful attributes of our district is the plentiful parks around. These parks offer a lot of events and happenings, and are always seeking volunteers to help ensure they stay attractive and useful.

• At Hoyt Park, the Friends of Hoyt Park group removes invasive species, helps keep the historic fireplaces in repair, and pays for a park ranger. Friends of Hoyt Park are seeking an additional member of the Board of Directors, and representatives from the adjoining neighborhood associations – if interested in these important service positions, please email Rich Jablonski. Or, come join a volunteer work day – held the third Saturday of the month (next one is August 19) at 10am.
• At The Glen Golf Park, there are numerous events coming up, including a Volunteer Day on August 19 from 8-10am, and an adaptive dance lesson at 3pm followed by the movie Happy Feet at 5pm on August 20.

Meetings

• August 15, 6pm - Wingra Proper Watershed Public Information Meeting. Please register in advance for this online meeting.
• August 16, 7:30pm – Sunset Village Community Meeting – Madison Mid-town Police Station Community Room.
• August 17, 6:30pm – Bikeways, 2023 – online. This Public Information Meeting will discuss 4 upcoming projects:
  • UW Arboretum Entrance
  • Odana Road Cycletrack
  • Lakeside Cycletrack
  • Elver Park Path

• August 23, 4:30pm – Board of Public Works discussion on City Engineering Stormwater Utility Vegetation Management Plan.

Events

• Parks Alive - Connect with your neighbors and engage with your community at a Parks Alive event near you!

  • August 14, 5-8pm: Movie: Wakanda Forever – Elver Park
  • August 15, 5-8pm: Aldo Leopold Park
  • August 16, 5-8pm: Hammersley Park
  • August 17, 5-8pm: Owl Creek Park
  • August 23, 5-8pm: Movie: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania – Warner Park
• It's Madison Black Restaurant Week! Explore a new restaurant, or go to an old favorite. Finish the week with the Food Taste Jamboree on August 20, 2-5pm at FEED Kitchens.
• August 14, 5-7:30pm: A Wild Rumpus at Reindahl Park. Enjoy child-led play at Reindahl Park based on the educational approach of AnjiPlay. The library will provide special play equipment to spark your children's imagination. Messy clothes and a water bottle are encouraged. If you'd like, bring along a picnic dinner and make an evening of it! All ages and abilities welcome.
• August 16, 11am: Frautschi Family Accessible Playground at Warner Park Ribbon Cutting: Madison Parks Foundation and Madison Parks invite the community to a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of the Frautschi Family Accessible Playground at Warner Park.
• August 16, 5:30-7:30pm: Learn to Fish with WI DNR – Warner Park. Learn to Fish with Madison Parks and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources! There is no cost to attend (advanced registration is required), however, anglers ages 16 and older will need a Wisconsin fishing license, which can be purchased online at Go Wild. For first-time license buyers, the cost is just $5 for an annual permit.
• August 16, 4-8pm: Jazz at Five – top of State Street.
• August 16, 4:30-6pm: Gardens & Cocktails – Monona Terrace rooftop. With more than 4,000 plants on display, the William T. Evjue Rooftop Gardens cover over 68,000 square feet and include plantings of both native and non-native grasses and perennials selected for their beauty, resilience, and ecological function. Bring a friend, enjoy a refreshing beverage, and learn about the garden’s history and exciting plans for the future.
• August 16-17: The Sessions at McPike Park. The Sessions at McPike Park is in its 10th year!
• August 17, 7pm: Capitol City Band Concerts in the Park. Old fashioned band concerts in Rennebohm park. Bring a friend. Bring a chair for listening comfort.
• August 18, 5:30-9:30pm: Dane Dances: BBI/VO5. Join this free, family-friendly event held on the beautiful Monona Terrace rooftop. Dane Dances promotes inclusivity with a fun night of music and dancing for all ages. No ticket needed.
• August 18, 5-7pm: Adaptive Family Swim Night | Goodman Pool. Join MSCR and Madison Parks as we host a FREE Adapted Family Swim Night! We welcome all individuals with disabilities and their caregivers and families for an evening of water fun at Goodman Pool. Zero-depth entry, aquatic lift, and water wheelchairs are available.
• August 19, 8:30am-3:30pm: FREE Homebuyer Education Class, Atrium at Villager Mall, 2300 S Park St.
• August 19, 8:30am-12:30pm: Snapshot Day at Warner Park - Snapshot Day is a statewide, one-day event connecting volunteers, water lovers, and local groups in a search for aquatic invasive species (AIS). You can help protect Wisconsin’s rivers, lakes, and wetlands from these invasive plants and animals that negatively impact habitat, wildlife, recreation and health.
• August 19, 10am-10pm: Africa Fest – McPike Park. Africa Fest, in its 23rd year, shares African traditions and cultural heritages with residents of greater Madison and Dane County. This exciting event includes stage performances, arts & crafts and food vendors all day long. Africa Fest is a free, family oriented festival that has something for everyone.
• August 19, 11am-8pm: 2023 Eken Park Festival. This family-friendly festival features incredible local musical talent from a wide range of genres and delicious local cuisine.
• August 19, 2-6pm: Friends of Ukraine – Garner Park. This event serves as a platform for Ukrainians and friends of Ukraine to come together, strengthen bonds, and celebrate the nation's journey to independence. It's a chance to share stories, forge new friendships, and build a sense of community that resonates with the spirit of unity.
• August 19, 7:45-10pm: Movies with Madison Parks – Selena - Lisa Link Peace Park. Madison’s Central Business Improvement District (BID), in partnership with Madison Parks, proudly presents a free movie in the heart of Downtown Madison!
• August 20, 1-6pm: Magic Pride Festival – Warner Park. The 2023 Magic Pride Festival includes a stage show with local LGBTQ+ performers, large vendor area, games and activities for youth and families, food and beverages, and more!
• August 20, 1:30-3pm: Bird & Nature Adventures | Warner Park. Join Master Naturalist Steve Mansorge for a free guided walk and journaling activity.
• August 22, 10-11am: Estate Planning for Small Business Owners, WWBIC, 2300 S Park St, Ste 113.
• September 4, 8am: Labor Day Dash – Vilas Park.
• September 8, 7pm-midnight: Rhumba 4 Rainbow – Union South, Varsity Hall

Announcements

• August Moving Days: How to Recycle Televisions, Computers, and other Electronics: Electronics must be delivered to the Streets Division’s drop-off sites, or to a reputable private electronics recycler in the area . These steps will protect your data and ensure the hazardous materials inside them are handled and recycled safely.
• Love food? Step up to be a food cart reviewer! Application deadline: August 18. To participate as a reviewer, you must be available for an online mandatory training on August 29, 6-7pm. The 2023 Fall Food Cart Review will take place September 11 - October 7. You must be available to visit the carts in person during these dates. Reviewers are required to review at minimum of 80% of participating food carts.
• Are you retired? Have a part time job? Looking for some extra income? Our children need you to step up as a Crossing Guard! The City of Madison Traffic Engineering Division is currently facing an increased need for crossing guards throughout the city.
• Save the Date for the Wisconsin Book Festival, October 19-22!