Use report-a-problem for spring potholes and minor storm damage; Watch out for scammers after storms; Please comment on pedestrian and bike plans; Lots of announcements and events
postedHello neighbors,
Spring has sprung! And that means it's officially pothole season. You can use the report a problem website to indicate where potholes are in your neighborhood, and the Streets Division will come around, usually within the week, to patch those pesky potholes.
Updates and Notices
- Reporting Tree Damage: With this severe weather this past week, it is a good time to remind everyone how to report issues with trees along the road. If there is a tree emergency – like if a tree falls and blocks the road – call 911 or at least call 608-255-2345. Dane County Dispatchers will get to our on-call arborists to respond to the emergency. If there is some other less severe situation, then you can certainly use the report-a-problem site to let us know of other concerns.
- Celebrate Earth Day in Your Local Park: Accept the Earth Day Challenge by joining your neighbors and friends in this year's Earth Day Challenge! Volunteer to help clean up your local park on Saturday, April 25!
- Public Health Offices Close Early on Tuesday: Public Health Offices will be closed on Tuesday, April 21, from 11:45am - 4:30pm for an event.
Public Information Meetings (PIMs)
- Public Input Meeting - Cypress Spray Park, Monday, April 20: The City of Madison Parks is holding the first public input meeting for the Cypress Spray Park Re-Design! The meeting will be held at Centro, 2403 Cypress Way on April 20, 2026, at 5:30pm. Kids are encouraged to attend with an adult; we want to hear what they think sounds fun!
- Virtual Open House | District 15 Parks, Thursday, April 23 (This event occurs on multiple dates): Madison Parks is holding a series of virtual public input sessions for the Southeast Park Development Plan process coinciding with the City Planning Division's Southeast Area Plan.
Announcements and News Releases
- Watch Out for Scammers, Storm Cleanup, and More Severe Weather: The recent severe storms in Madison caused considerable damage to many homes and vehicles this week.
- Draft AAA Bike Network Plan: The City of Madison is updating its All Ages and Abilities Bike Network Plan. The plan will provide a long-term vision for development of a network of paths and low-stress on-street bikeways for biking and micromobility.
- Draft Pedestrian Plan Open for Comment: The City of Madison is developing an update to its 1997 Pedestrian Plan. The plan will provide direction for policy, programs and safety improvements that will increase safety, accessibility and walking connections throughout the City. Comments will be accepted until noon on Monday, April 27.
- Mural Naming Contest: The Madison Senior Center is excited to ask the community to help name their new mural!
- Have you already registered your band or venue for Make Music Madison 2026? Registration is open until June 1, and we invite musicians, neighbors, and community groups to be part of this citywide celebration of music. Whether you're interested in performing or hosting an event in your neighborhood, now is the time to get involved. If you'd like support or want to invite a representative to speak with your group about how to host an event, please email info@makemusicmadison.com
- Take Our Recycling Survey: Help us help you recycle better. We have a very brief survey asking you to tell us more about how you'd like to learn about recycling. You can take the survey here. You can also find the survey linked on our recycling website.
- The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) invites families, students, staff and community members to join us for upcoming “Building for the Future" engagement sessions. This important, multi-year effort will guide how we plan for future enrollment, review attendance areas and ensure our schools align with Madison's continued growth. Your voice is a critical part of this process. Upcoming sessions run from May 4-21, with both in-person and virtual options.
- Maydm's Creators Lab still has openings for this summer: High School students can shape their future in STEM while bringing creative ideas to life, develop problem-solving skills, and build knowledge and experience. The Creators Lab program is designed to allow students the time and resources to do a deep dive into an area of interest within STEM, guided by our instructors. Students will work on their own projects during the class, and present their progress at the end of the summer.
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
- Join the Neighborhood House for our Memory Cafe on Monday April 20th starting at 11am. The program provides a welcoming social gathering for people living with early-stage Alzheimer's or dementia, along with family, friends or caregivers. Contact info@neighborhoodhousemadison.org or (608) 255-5337 with questions.
- The Healthy Living Lunch for older adults follows at 12:30pm. This month, Dr. Rachel Bennett will discuss High Cholesterol and Your Health. She explains topics clearly and welcomes questions, making it easy to follow and participate. We'll also enjoy a homemade lunch together!
- Coffee with a Cop - South District, Monday, April 20: Coffee with a Cop is a chance for community members to connect with the officers who serve their city. Officers can speak about recent cases to department wide initiatives to lower crime in our community.
- Wisconsin Virtual TB Summit, Tuesday, April 21, 2026 (This event occurs on multiple dates): Join local, state, and national tuberculosis experts as they share their work to understand and improve care for people diagnosed with TB in our community.
- Coffee with a Cop – East District, Tuesday, April 21: Coffee with a Cop is a chance for community members to connect with the officers who serve their city. Officers can speak about recent cases to department wide initiatives to lower crime in our community.
- Learn to Nordic Walk | Door Creek Park, Tuesday, April 21: Turn your walk into a full-body workout with Nordic walking! We've partnered with Madison Nordic Ski Club (MadNorSki) for a free class.
- Connecting D7: Questions & Answers with Mayor Rhodes-Conway, Thursday, April 23: Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway will join Alder Badri Lankella on Thursday, April 23, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM for a virtual session to discuss the city's priorities and answer residents' questions. This session will take place virtually via Zoom.
- Hoyt Park Walk with a Ranger, April 23, 6:30-7:30pm: Join Ranger Andy and FoHP volunteer Tim A. as they lead a guided walk through Hoyt Park. Andy and Tim will be pointing out newly emerged spring flowers and year-round or early spring migrant birds. Bring binoculars if you wish. Meet at he Historic Main Entrance on Regent St. (near Capital High), parking on Regent and Larkin St.
- Volunteer at The Glen, Saturday, April 25 (This event occurs on multiple dates): We seek passionate individuals and groups committed to giving back to the community and connecting with the City of Madison golf courses. Gain experience, foster personal growth, and build relationships within the community.
- Vaccine Clinic at Sugar Creek Elementary School, Saturday, April 25: 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 | Edna Taylor, Saturday, April 25: Do You Hear a Frog? ~ Join Naturalist Doug Davis for a free guided family friendly walk on the beautiful nature trails along the prairies, woodlands and ponds at Aldo Leopold Nature Center and Edna Taylor Conservation Park.
- Earth Day Challenge, Saturday, April 25: Celebrate Earth Day with your neighbors and friends by volunteering to clean up your local park! Join this community-wide volunteer effort to help make a difference. Accept the Earth Day Challenge with Madison Parks!
- Save Soil Walkathon, Saturday, April 25: Join the Save Soil Walkathon to raise awareness about protecting and restoring soil.
- Spring Powwow at Madison College, Saturday, April 25: Guests are invited to experience this tradition rooted in connection, storytelling and celebration from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Redsten Gym at the Madison College Truax campus. Grand entries at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. will mark when dancers enter the arena in a display of unity and cultural pride.
- Bird & Nature Festival 2026, Sunday, April 26: The 2026 Bird & Nature Festival is a free, family-friendly event celebrating Madison Bird City, Arbor Day and Earth Day. See live birds by Open Door Bird Sanctuary and visit nature displays throughout the day.
Additional upcoming events can also be found on the City events calendar.
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.
- Common Council: The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 21, at 12:00 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include honoring the service of outgoing alders, swearing in newly elected and returning alders, and the election of the Common Council President and Vice President.
- Common Council: The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 21, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include revising several sections of the ordinances related to the work of the Office of the Independent Police Monitor and the Police Civilian Oversight Board.
- Board of Public Works: The Board of Public Works meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 22, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include approving the roadway geometry for Regent Street, as well as approving public works projects in District 14 and District 16.
If you would like more information about becoming a member of a City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here.
Take care,
Regina Vidaver