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Week of April 13, 2026

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Dear Neighbors,

I hope you all had a wonderful week and were able to enjoy the start of spring weather here in Madison. Thank you to everyone who participated in the recent election and continues to stay engaged in our community.

As we move further into April, there are many important updates, meetings, and community events happening across the city and here in District 7.

🌎 Earth Month & Sustainability Initiatives

April is Earth Month, and there are many opportunities to get involved and support sustainability efforts across Madison.

  • The RoundTrip Spring Roll Challenge encourages residents to choose greener transportation options like walking, biking, and transit
  • The City continues advancing its sustainability and climate goals through ongoing work of the Sustainable Madison Committee
  • Planning and community engagement efforts are underway to improve environmental resilience and reduce emissions
  • Saturday, April 25, 10am-noon: Madison Parks Earth Day Challenge. Register to help clean up any of our parks – trash bags provided! Please register in advance.
  • April 17-25: University of Wisconsin-Madison Earth Fest.(link is external) Participate in climate games, make a bee house, go on a nature hike, take in a climate-centered concert, and more!

These efforts are part of Madison's broader commitment to building a more sustainable and equitable future.

🚆 Transportation & Community Planning Updates

There are continued conversations happening around transportation and infrastructure improvements, including regional rail and transit discussions that could shape the future of mobility in our region.

Draft Pedestrian Plan Available for Public Comment: The City of Madison is updating its Pedestrian Plan for the first time in nearly 30 years! The Draft Pedestrian Plan is now available for public review and comment. The plan provides recommendations to make Madison an even better place to walk by focusing on the safety, comfort, convenience, and enjoyment of people walking and rolling in the city. You can learn more about the Draft Pedestrian Plan, including reviewing background materials, on the Pedestrian Plan site, which includes a link to the full draft plan where you can provide input and comments.  Comments from the public will be accepted until noon on April 27.

In addition, the City continues work on long-term planning efforts such as:

  • The Pedestrian Plan update focused on safety and accessibility
  • Ongoing area and neighborhood planning initiatives
  • Infrastructure investments to support growth on the west side

🏛️ 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.

  • City Finance Committee: The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Monday, April 13, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include authorizing the Parks Division to purchase 8.86 acres of land located at 1010 North Street in District 12, as well as authorizing the City to purchase the property located at 3030 Darbo Drive in District 15.
  • Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, April 13, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include development-related requests in Districts 1, 2, 6, 9, 12, 13, and 14.
  • Transportation Commission: The Transportation Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 15, at 5:00 p.m. Agenda items include a discussion about potential short-term solutions to improve traffic safety on Park Street and other similar arterial streets.

If you would like more information about becoming a member of a City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here.

🏗️ Development & Neighborhood Initiatives

Neighborhood Grant Program

The Planning Division has recommended funding for several neighborhood projects supporting:

  • Community gathering spaces
  • Cultural programming and inclusivity
  • Pollinator gardens and sustainability efforts

These recommendations will be reviewed by the Finance Committee this week and later by the Common Council.

New Neighborhoods Webpage

The City has launched an updated Neighborhoods webpage, making it easier to access resources and stay connected with neighborhood associations.

Parks Seeking Public Input: Reimagining Odana Hills Golf Course 

Reimagining Odana Hills Golf Course
Image credit: Madison Parks

The City of Madison Parks Division is excited for the new partnership with Michael and Jocelyn Keiser and the Madison Parks Foundation. Through the Keisers' philanthropic vision and generous donation, we have an opportunity to reimagine, redesign and reconstruct Odana Hills Golf Course. The baseline course improvements will address tee boxes, green complexes and surrounds, along with some potential for routing adjustments.
In addition to the golf course improvement project, the City is planning to leverage the private donation and take advantage of the temporary closure of the property in a way that allows for public infrastructure improvements to both Odana Hills Golf Course and Odana Hills East Park. 

Get Involved!

🌍 Public Information Meetings (PIMs)

đź“° Announcements and City Updates

🎉 Community Events & Opportunities

  • Wisconsin Virtual TB Summit, Tuesday, April 14 (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. The Wisconsin TB Summit features free weekly virtual sessions held every Tuesday in April and early May. 
  • Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) Training, Wednesday, April 15: Come join us for our in-person CRASE Training session where you'll learn crucial strategies for handling active shooter situations. Led by experienced instructors, this event will cover life-saving techniques and emergency response protocols. 
  • Coffee with a Cop - North District, Wednesday, April 15: 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.
  • Vaccine Clinic at Mendota Elementary School, Saturday, April 18: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 | Starkweather Creek Area, Saturday, April 18: Earth Week Creek Cleanup ~ Join Lance Green and Friends of Starkweather Creek to help pick up trash in and along the beautiful Starkweather Creek greenway that winds through the east side of Madison from Lake Monona all the way to MATC and East Town! Join Friends of Starkweather Creek to help with cleanups by canoe and on foot. 
  • Bird & Nature Adventures | Warner Park, Sunday, April 19: Looking for Spring Ephemerals ~ Join Naturalist Mary Binkley for a free family friendly walk at Warner Park to celebrate the return of Spring! Ephemerals are flowers that bloom in woodlands while trees are still bare and sunlight reaches the ground. Warner Woods is reportedly the oldest uncut woods in Madison.  Recent removal of invasive early-greening buckthorn has resulted in a surprising variety of beautiful native wildflowers and more are being restored.

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

🚧 Looking Ahead

As we continue through April, we will see:

  • Increased construction and infrastructure work
  • More opportunities for public input on major plans
  • Continued focus on sustainability and community investment

I will continue to keep you informed about District 7 priorities and updates.

Stay Connected

Thank you for staying engaged and involved in District 7. Your participation makes a difference in shaping our community.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions, concerns, or ideas.

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

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Portrait of Alder Badri Lankella

Alder Badri Lankella

District 7
Contact Alder Lankella

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