Adopt-A-Median
The Adopt-A-Median program is a program for Madison community members to take care and maintain existing traffic calming circles and medians across the City. The Adopt-A-Median program is just one way to get involved in improving public infrastructure, plus, it's easy to apply!
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Check Median Adoption Availability
See what medians are available for adoption on the City's Adopt-A-Median map below.
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Complete the Online Application
In less than five minutes, you can apply to be a part of our Adopt-A-Median program.
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Complete Waiver
If not the main contact, all volunteers should fill out the waiver and release form. The main contact should fill out the Adopt-A-Median Adoption Application, which includes all forms.
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Plan Your Plants
Check out the plant list and get started on your median! After all forms are complete, congratulations! You're officially part of the Adopt-A-Median program. You will be sent additional information and resources on median maintenance, such as where to get vests, cones or signs.
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Share Your Progress!
Email in photos to engineering@cityofmadison.com to share progress of your median, share on social media and tag Engineering on Facebook and @MadisonEngr on Twitter!
Eligible Medians
In total, the City of Madison manages over 600 planted traffic medians which include residential and major corridors like John Nolen, East Washington, Park Street, Midvale Blvd, and Packers Ave. The high traffic medians are maintained by contractors and City crews due to the need of traffic control devices for safety. The top priority for all planted medians is to keep visibility and sight lines open to pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers.
There are approximately 160 residential planted traffic medians, many of which are adopted. Any residential traffic median (speed limit 25 mph or less) that has an existing planting bed within the City limits that hasn't already been adopted is eligible for the program. Check our City of Madison Adopt-A-Median Map to see if there's an available median in your neighborhood. Then, fill out the application, receive confirmation and additional information, and the median is yours to plant and maintain.
If you see medians with "Adopt Me" median signs in the community, please call City Engineering at (608) 266-4751 to see if the median is available for adoption.
Eligible Adopters: Be like Judy!
Anyone can apply to adopt a median. We've had adopters such as: interested parties affiliated with neighborhood associations, groups or businesses and volunteers working on an individual basis. Our adopters have a wide range of skills and backgrounds. We encourage everyone to apply, and work with our City staff through the process.
From plant selection based on seasons, location, soil composition, pollinator benefits and more, our City staff can help you choose your plants, answer your median questions and more as you work on your median plan!
Benefits of Adopting a Median
- Beautify your neighborhood
- Help the environment.
- Meet your neighbors and grow your neighborhood or homeowners' association.
- Rent a free safety vest and traffic cones for volunteering.
- Monetary reimbursement for qualifying plant purchases and bags of mulch.
- Makes for a great service project!