District update meetings, Parks Alive reminder, Greater Sandburg Neighborhood Association meeting, Dream Bus at Sandburg Elementary, and Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of June 22, 2026

Hi there, 

Image credit: Sabrina Madison

The official first day of summer was yesterday, June 21st.  I'd love to know, what are some of your favorite things to do outdoors in Madison over the summer? I love walking John Nolen Drive, spending Saturday mornings at the farmers market on the square, hiking with friends, and attending any number of outdoor events at Olbrich Gardens. 

I recently learned about the passing of a friend who was part of so much of what I've accomplished since first moving to Madison with my son back around 2007.  Her unexpected passing hurts in a way that I am not yet fully able to describe.  What helped today though was getting outside for a walk.  The fresh air, literally stopping to smell the flowers, and the sun on my face -- all of it worked to help me feel a bit better. 

I've decided that this summer, I'm going to be even more intentional about getting outdoors daily. The positive benefits of doing so are plentiful, especially in dealing with grief. 

Maybe you can use a few suggestions about what to do outdoors in Madison over the summer? If so, here are a few options that I enjoy.  

• Explore the many scenic trails and pathways throughout Madison Parks. 
• Check out a local farmers market. 
• Check out the outdoor gardens at Olbrich Gardens. 
• Enjoy Dane Dances free rooftop summer music series. 
• "Stop by Lakeview Library's outdoor patio, Sequoya Library's porch, the Pinney Patio, or the third floor roof patio at Central Library to enjoy some sunshine, a nice reading spot, or just a quiet moment in nature."  Check the hours for each location. 

In today's update you'll also find: 

• District update meetings
• Parks Alive reminder 
• Greater Sandburg Neighborhood Association meeting reminder 
• Dream Bus at Sandburg Elementary 
• Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of June 22, 2026

In community, 

President Madison, district17@cityofmadison.com 

Please save the following dates for virtual district update meetings in August and September.  

• Community Alternative Response Emergency Services (CARES) + Madison Police Department (East & North Districts)
  •  Wednesday, August 19, 6pm-7:30pm (virtual)
• Madison Public Library + Parks  
  • Thursday, August 20, 6pm-7:30pm (virtual)
• Community Development Division + Public Health Madison & Dane County + Madison Area Recovery Initiative (MARI)
  • Wednesday, September 16, 6pm-7:30pm (virtual)

Reminder: Parks Alive at Sandburg Park is coming up on June 30, 2026 from 5pm to 7pm.  Please note that Parks Alive is a free event. 

Address: Sandburg Park, 3202 Sunbrook Road, Madison, WI 53704

Parks Alive is back this year with more of what you love! Visit your local park and share in fun, family friendly activities while building connections with neighbors and creating memories with friends. As always, there will be free food, music and the occasional movie. Come out, get active and enjoy your local green space this summer.

Upcoming: Greater Sandburg Neighborhood Association Meeting 

Dream Bus at Sandburg Elementary

• Thursdays throughout the summer
• 4114 Donald Dr 
• 3pm - 3:30PM

Visitors to the Dream Bus can apply for a library card, browse books outdoors and check out or return books, place holds or pick up holds at the Dream Bus.

Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of June 22, 2026

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, June 23, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include adopting the Southeast and Southwest Area Plans.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Housing Policy Committee: The Housing Policy Committee meeting will take place on Thursday, June 25, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include a presentation from the Tenant Resource Center on evictions in Dane County.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online

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 (PIMs)

• Madison LakeWay Public Art Project Finalist Meet & Greet, Wednesday, June 24: The LakeWay Partners will host a community meet and greet with the finalists on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. Join to hear 5-minute presentations about their artistic practice and learn more about the project site and design process.  Read our press release to learn more about this event.
• City Budget Engagement | Planning & Transportation, Wednesday, June 24: Learn more about the City of Madison budget process and get your questions answered during budget engagement sessions planned across Madison. This session focuses on Planning & Transportation. From 6-7pm you'll have an opportunity to stop by different tables and chat with representatives from the following City agencies: Building Inspection, Community Development Authority, Community Development Division, Economic Development Division, Metro, Planning, Parking, and Traffic Engineering. After the open house, Finance Director Dave Schmiedicke will do a short presentation about the City of Madison budget process for 2027, followed by a Q&A with alders. The goal of these public meetings is to provide an opportunity for you to speak directly with City staff about your ideas, concerns, and priorities for Madison's future.
• Public Information Meeting: Rezoning Planned Development Zones, Thursday, June 25: The City of Madison is exploring the rezoning of several single- and two-family Planned Development Zones (PDs) into conventional zoning districts. Rezoning PDs into conventional single- and two-family zoning districts will make zoning rules clearer and more consistent for homeowners and ensure that everyone has the same opportunity to make changes to their property. This is the second of two virtual Public Information Meetings the City of Madison is hosting on its PD Rezoning project.

Announcements and News Releases

• Street Closures for Concerts on the Square Start Next Week: Multiple streets around the Capitol Square will close on Wednesday, June 24 for the start of the annual Concerts on the Square event series. The core streets impacted are Main St, Pinckney St, 100 block of Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, and the… [posted June 18, 2026]
• Capitol Square North Parking Garage: Temporary Access Changes in Effect During Maintenance Project: Major construction activity is underway at the Capitol Square North Parking Garage, located at 218 E. Mifflin Street, as part of the City's 2026 parking facility improvement program. Work began this week and includes the demolition and replacement of… [posted June 18, 2026]
• Rezoning Planned Development Zones: Two Chances to Learn More: The City of Madison is looking to rezone several single- and two-family Planned Development (PD) zones across the city into conventional residential zoning districts. [posted June 17, 2026]
• Correction: Statement from Common Council President Sabrina Madison on the Death of Richard Lee Johnson: Yesterday, the greater Madison area received new information regarding the death of Richard Lee Johnson. I intentionally did not respond immediately. [posted June 16, 2026]
• MPD Response to June 15 Report from Interim Independent Police Monitor: Statement from Madison Police Department Chief John Patterson [posted June 15, 2026]
• Press Briefing - OIPM releases findings in the in-custody death of R.L. Johnson - OIPM Case No. OIPM2025-0009 [posted June 15, 2026]

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

• Monday Mornings at The Glen, Monday, June 22 (This Event Occurs on Multiple Dates): Enjoy The Glen for a stroll, nature, workout or leashed dog walk from sunrise to 8:00 am. Tee times resume at hole #1 at 8:00am. Visitors should be alert for golf balls and golfers while exiting the course.
• Parks Alive | Elver Park, Monday, June 22: Parks Alive is back this year with more of what you love! Visit your local park and share in fun, family friendly activities while building connections with neighbors and creating memories with friends. As always, there will be free food, music and the occasional movie. Come out, get active and enjoy your local green space this summer.
• Learn to Kayak, Tuesday, June 23: Learn to Kayak with Madison Boats! Register online for this free class offered at Wingra Park. Beginners will learn basic information about equipment and proper technique. After a few demonstrations, participants practice their new skills in the water! 
• Parks Alive | Aldo Leopold Park, Tuesday, June 23: Parks Alive is back this year with more of what you love! Visit your local park and share in fun, family friendly activities while building connections with neighbors and creating memories with friends. As always, there will be free food, music and the occasional movie. Come out, get active and enjoy your local green space this summer.
• Parks Alive | Hammersley Park, Wednesday, June 24: Parks Alive is back this year with more of what you love! Visit your local park and share in fun, family friendly activities while building connections with neighbors and creating memories with friends. As always, there will be free food, music and the occasional movie. Come out, get active and enjoy your local green space this summer.
• Capitol City Band Concerts - 58th Season, Thursday, June 25 (This Event Occurs on Multiple Dates): The Capitol City Band's 58th season begins June 18 at the Rennebohm Park Shelter. Bring a chair and enjoy live music on Thursdays at 7:00 PM through August 20.
• Concerts on the Rooftop: La Combi (Latin Band), Thursday, June 25: A truly unique Madison experience! Experience the unparalleled magic of sensational bands and breathtaking views at Concerts on the Rooftop! Dance the night away or just relax with family and friends, Concerts on the Rooftop provides a fun and free experience for all! La Combi is an eclectic Latin Band that gets its name from the “Combi'" buses of Peru which are the main public transportation. La Combi has something for every Latin American taste, including Peruvian Salsa, Chicha (Peruvian Cumbia), Merengue, Festejo, Bachata and more! Free ticket required for admission. Secure ticket through Eventbrite.
• Northside Food Cart Fest, Friday, June 26: Join us for Northside Food Cart Fest, in partnership with FEED Kitchen, outside Warner Park Community Recreation Center! We'll have a bounce house, balloon twister, face painters, music and of course, food carts! No registration is required for this family-friendly event. Food tickets will be available for purchase.
• Live at The Glen | Little Priest Singers, Friday, June 26: Madison Parks Foundation is proud to present Live at The Glen! Enjoy live music on the patio at The Glen Golf Park. The Little Priest Singers are a Southern/Ho-Chunk family drum group based in Wisconsin Dells, WI, specializing in traditional Native American music. Known for performing at cultural events and educational festivals, they promote and preserve Indigenous culture, traditions, and music.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Edna Taylor, Saturday, June 27: Join a naturalist for an easy, family-friendly walk from Aldo Leopold Nature Center into beautiful Edna Taylor Conservation Park and enjoy a bit of nature education along the way. Walks through the Edna Taylor Conservation Park are held on the 4th Saturday, 10:00 - 11:30 AM of each month

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