City-County Building
Common Council

Week of May 25, 2026

posted 

Dear neighbors,

I hope everyone is enjoying the Memorial Day weekend and taking time to reflect on and honor the brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. As we move into the unofficial start of summer, many students are wrapping up the school year, families are preparing for summer activities, and our parks, splash pads, and community spaces are becoming more active across Madison.

Last week was another busy and productive week across the city. I had the opportunity to attend the AAPI Heritage Celebration at the Governor's Residence, celebrate the successful ribbon cutting for improvements at Country Grove Park, and continue conversations with residents and city staff on important projects impacting District 7 and the broader community.

🚸Country Grove Park Ribbon Cutting Celebration

It was great to join residents, city staff, and community leaders for the ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the new improvements at Country Grove Park on Madison's far southwest side. The project includes a new park shelter, futsal court, and relocated basketball court in this nearly 45-acre community park.

The turnout and community excitement highlighted how important accessible recreational spaces are for our neighborhoods. Thank you to Madison Parks staff and everyone involved in making these improvements possible.

The ribbon cutting and park improvements were also highlighted by local media coverage from WKOW 27 News, showcasing the importance of continued investment in neighborhood parks and recreational amenities for Madison families and residents.

Country Grove Park Ribbon Cutting
Image credit: Badri Lankella
Country Grove Park Shelter Ribbon Cutting
Image credit: Badri Lankella

🏡AAPI Heritage Celebration at the Governor's Residence

Last Wednesday, I was honored to attend the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration at the Governor's Residence. It was wonderful to celebrate the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of AAPI communities across Wisconsin. Events like these help strengthen community connections while recognizing the important role diverse communities play in making Madison and Wisconsin stronger and more vibrant.

AAPI Celebrations with Governor Tony Evers
Image credit: Badri Lankella
AAPI Celebrations with Governor Tony Evers
Image credit: Badri Lankella

🏛️ Memorial Day Holiday Schedules

Madison Metro

Please note that Metro Transit will operate Sunday schedules on Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day.

Sunday service will operate on Routes A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, L, O, P, R, and S.

Additional reminders:

  • Route 80 operates a weekend recess schedule
  • Routes 81-84 will not operate
  • All standing paratransit rides are canceled for the holiday and riders must schedule casual rides if needed
  • Metro customer service will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Residents can contact Metro Customer Service at (608) 266-4466 for additional assistance.

Streets Division

There will be no Streets Division collections on Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day.

This includes:

  • Trash collection
  • Recycling collection
  • Brush collection
  • Large item pickup

Important reminders:

  • Monday and Tuesday collections will both occur on Tuesday, May 26
  • Set carts out by 6:30 a.m.
  • Streets Division drop-off sites will be closed Monday and reopen Tuesday

🌎Yard Waste Collection Update

The City's 2026 spring curbside yard waste collection season has officially concluded. Residents should no longer place yard waste or leaves at the curb for pickup during the summer months.

Residents may:

  • Use Streets Division drop-off sites
  • Compost yard waste at home
  • Mulch grass clippings into lawns

Please remember:

  • Yard waste should not be placed in trash or recycling carts
  • Brush collection will continue throughout the summer

Drop-off locations are available at:

  • 4602 Sycamore Avenue
  • 402 South Point Road
  • 1504 Quann-Olin Parkway

🏡Odana Hills Golf & Park Improvements Project Tour – June 2

Madison Parks will be hosting an on-site tour regarding the Odana Hills Golf & Park Improvements Project:

  • Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026
  • Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Location: Odana Hills Clubhouse, 4635 Odana Rd

The project planning and design team will discuss:

  • Clubhouse replacement goals
  • Park improvements
  • Golf course improvements

This will be a valuable opportunity for residents to learn more about the project and provide feedback directly to staff.

Reimagining Odana Hills Golf Course
Image credit: Madison Parks

🌿 Madison Parks Updates

Madison Parks recently released its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting the tremendous impact parks and open spaces have across our city. Madison continues to maintain one of the best park access systems in the country, with approximately 98% of residents living within a 10-minute walk of a park or open space.

Additional Parks updates:

  • Splash parks at Cypress, Elver, Reindahl, and Rennebohm Parks open Saturday, May 23 through Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 10am to 8pm daily. See Splash Parks for more information. 

    Splash Park
    Image credit: Madison Parks
  • Beach maintenance operations begin Memorial Day weekend. Beach swimming season is typically Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. This is when Parks staff clean and maintain designated beaches and sites with restrooms are open from approximately 11:00am to 7:00pm daily. While no lifeguards are on duty, swimming ropes are provided at a number of the beaches. See Beaches for more information.
  • Ride the Drive 2026 planning is underway for August 9. With RTD's signature route along John Nolen Drive under construction, we have an exciting redesigned new route for 2026!  Join us on Sunday, August 9 from 10:00am to 2:00pm to stroll, roll, pedal or glide your way along the roughly 3-mile loop that includes activity hub stops at: 
    • McPike Park, 202 S. Ingersoll  
    • Lakefront Porch Park, 201 S. Hancock  
    • Capitol Square, Mifflin & Carroll 

See RideTheDrive.com to check out the route map, be a vendor/exhibitor (free for most organizations!), or register to be a volunteer.  

Ride the Drive Route
Image credit: Madison Parks
  • Playground replacements are underway at Kennedy, Sandburg, Ontario, and Skyview Parks
  • Warner Park Community Recreation Center expansion is nearing completion

More details can be found here:
Madison Park Events

🌱 Updates and Notices

  • The City of Madison's administrative offices will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026, for Memorial Day.

🏛️ 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.

I will be meeting with Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway on Wednesday to continue discussions regarding District 7 priorities, neighborhood concerns, infrastructure improvements, housing, transportation, parks, and other community initiatives important to residents across the district.

  • Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District Commission Meeting

    • Date: Thursday, May 28, 2026
    • Time: 8:00 a.m.
    • Location: Maintenance Facility Training Room, 1610 Moorland Rd, Madison
    • Hybrid attendance options are available for the public.

Agenda materials and meeting details are available through the MMSD Commission meetings webpage:
MMSD Commission Meeting Agenda & Information

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

  • Virtual Open House | District 16 Parks, Thursday, May 28, 2026: 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 and mapping area. The meetings will include an overview of the planning effort's goals, a review of the neighborhood parks included, and an opportunity for area residents and park visitors to share their thoughts on future park improvements.
  • Public Information Meeting: South Point Public Works Facility, Thursday, May 28, 2026: A public information meeting has been scheduled for 6 p.m., May 28, 2026, via Zoom. Registration is required. This meeting is intended for the public to attend to learn more about the South Point Public Works Facility project.

📰 Announcements and News Releases

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.

🎉 Community Events

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

💬 Staying Connected

Thank you to everyone who continues to stay engaged, attend meetings, provide feedback, and support our neighborhoods and community initiatives. As always, I appreciate hearing from residents about city projects, neighborhood concerns, and ideas for improving District 7 and Madison as a whole.

Please continue to reach out with questions, concerns, or suggestions.

Wishing everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day weekend.

Best regards,
Badri Lankella
Alder, District 7
City of Madison

Categories:

Tags:

Was this page helpful to you? * required
Portrait of Alder Badri Lankella

Alder Badri Lankella

District 7
Contact Alder Lankella

Categories