Welcome to Vilas Neighborhood Association

Last update Wednesday, February 21, 2024


Neighborhood Contacts || Neighborhood Association Meetings || Profile, Statistics and Indicators || Neighborhood Communications || Plans and Publications || Governmental Officials || Facilities and Services ||

Neighborhood Contacts
Neighborhood Contact Person(s): Doug Carlson, vnapresident@gmail.com

Neighborhood Association Meetings
Neighborhood Association Meeting: Place: Virtual
Address:
Date: Fourth Wednesday of the Month
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Please contact neighborhood association to confirm meeting date, location, and time.

Profile, Statistics and Indicators
Neighborhood Description: With Edgewood Campus and University of Wisconsin-Madison on our edges, the Vilas Neighborhood has reaped the benefits of the artistic, fresh, lively, intellectual atmosphere created by the mix of academics, professionals, and students. Our neighborhood-oriented commercial corridor, Monroe Street, has locally-owned shops and services. Words are not enough to express the importance of Monroe Street Branch Library as a hub for residents. At the turn of the century, an electric streetcar line extended down Breese Terrace to Monroe Street that drove the platting and selling of residential lots in our neighborhood. Architectural styles ranging from Victorian and Queen Anne, to Craftsman, Georgian Revival and Tutor, the Vilas Neighborhood is desirable to those wanting to rent or own in a historic area. Wingra Park National Register Historic District covers a portion of the neighborhood: a federal tax credit program to assist property-owners with renovation costs of their historic properties. The roar of the lions from the Henry Vilas Zoo, Badger fans walking to Camp Randall on game day, a stroll to Monroe Street to pick up a prescription, grocery, or gift, or a peaceful paddle on Lake Wingra are common activities for those living in the neighborhood. One final gem worth mentioning: an entrance to the UW Arboretum is located in our neighborhood which provides easy access to walkers, bikers, and runners who desire to take the pleasant six-mile loop around Lake Wingra.
Neighborhood Boundaries: Regent Street on the north, South Randall Avenue on the east, Vilas Park Drive on the south, Edgewood Avenue and Monroe Street on the west
Neighborhood Statistics Indicators: The Neighborhood Indicators Project is a demonstration of key characteristics and various indicators that relate to the quality of life in Madison at the neighborhood level. Basic neighborhood information as well as housing, public safety, health and family well-being, economic, and transportation indicators by neighborhood is available.
Neighborhood Events: Summer Kick-Off Party (June), Forth of July. Bike Parade, Halloween Party, Holiday Party, VNA Book Club,

Neighborhood Communications
Newsletter: Vilas Ink
Bonnie Gruber, bonniegruber@mac.com
Web Page: https://www.vilasneighborhood.com/

Plans and Publications
City Plans: Brittingham-Vilas Neighborhood Plan (April 4, 1989)
Campus Next Door: A Preliminary Plan for the Winga Park and University Heights-Higland Park Neighborhoods, December 1965
Monroe Street Commercial District Plan (March 27, 2007)
Regent StreetSouth Campus Neighborhood Plan Website
Regent Street-South Campus Neighborhood Plan (July 1, 2008)
Publications: -Madison Magazine: Great Neighborhoods (August 2009)
http://www.madisonmagazine.com/Madison-Magazine/August-2009/Eight-Great-Neighborhoods/

-Madison Alternate Parade of Homes: Vilas Neighborhood, Oakland Heights (October 10, 1999)
http://www.historicmadison.org/html/AParade/altpr99.asp

-Greenbush-Vilas Neighborhood: A Historic Walking Tour, 1991
http://www.cityofmadison.com/planning/landmark/Greenbush%20Vilas%20Walking%20Tour.pdf






Historic Districts: Wingra Park National Register Historic District (1999): Roughly bounded by Monroe Street and properties abutting Madison Street on the north, Garfield, Chandler Streets and South Randall Avenue on the east, Drake Street, Vilas Park, and Vilas Avenue on the south, and Edgewood Avenue on the west.
TIF Districts: None
Urban Design Districts: None

Governmental Officials
Madison Alderperson:
Dane County Supervisor:
State Representative:
State Senator:

Facilities and Services:
Community Centers Bayview International Center for Education and the Arts (601 Bay View), Neighborhood House (29 South Mills Street)Neighborhood House (29 South Mills), Monroe Street Fine Arts Center (2516 Monroe Street)
Fire Stations: Fire Station #4 (1437 Monroe Street)
Library: Monroe Street Branch (1705 Monroe Street)
Neighborhood Resource Team:
Parks and Open Space:
(Map)
Bear Mound Park, Edgewood Campus and Shoreline Boardwalk, Henry Vilas Park, Beach, and Zoo, Lake Wingra
Police Districts:
Polling Place:
Public Schools: Elementary School Attendance Area 8
Franklin Elementary School (305 W Lakeside St)
Randall Elementary School (1802 Regent St)
Middle School Attendance Area 234
Hamilton Middle School (4801 Waukesha St)
High School Attendance Area 143
West High School (30 Ash St)