About Us
About Friends of Nolen Waterfront
Friends of Nolen Waterfront is a nonprofit organization created to help transform the Lake Monona Waterfront project into a reality. Your gift ensures that we are able to create a sustainable future for this space and our community.
Visionary, Inclusive, Environmentally Healthy
Friends of Nolen Waterfront imagines the waterfront as a welcoming destination for all Madison residents and visitors. A waterfront destination that connects Downtown Madison to Lake Monona enhances community connections, increases physical and visual access to the lake, improves Lake Monona’s water quality and aquatic habitat, celebrates Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural legacy in Madison, and recognizes Lake Monona’s cultural history from the Ho-Chunk people to the present day.
Friends of Nolen Waterfront Milestones
November 7, 2022: Design Challenge Check In
The three teams presented initial thoughts and concepts online in developing a master plan vision of the Lake Monona Waterfront. If you are interested, you can watch the entire presentation by clicking on this link to the City of Madison site:
October 3, 2022: Design Challenge Kick-Off
The three design teams livestreamed to the event and introduced themselves and their teams’ unique perspective on master plan development.
2022: Lake Monona Design Challenge is approved and an Ad-Hoc Committee is formed. Friends of Nolen Waterfront supports the challenge by providing 50% of the funding.
2019: Parks Division Preliminary Report for the Lake Monona Waterfront corridor.
2018: City approved funding for development of signature park master plan.
2016–2018: Ad Hoc committee of community members and Madison-area design professionals meet to support the Lake Monona Waterfront. Formation of Friends of Nolen Waterfront, Inc. as an official 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
2008–2015: An all-volunteer group of community members and Madison-area design professionals gather to envision potential transformational projects to enhance downtown Madison’s unique isthmus geography, including the Lake Monona waterfront.
Friends of Nolen Waterfront Board Members
- Raj Shukla, President of FNW, The Nature Conservancy
- Claire Schaefer Oleksiak, Vice President of FNW, Sustain Dane
- Allen Arntsen, Secretary of FNW, Foley & Lardner – Retired
- Jim Bradley, Treasurer of FNW, Home Savings Bank – Retired
- Jason Ilstrup, At-Large Executive Committee of FNW, Downtown Madison Inc.
- Tim Anderson, Architect – Retired
- Deb Archer, Archer Strategic Partners
- Brenda Baker, Madison Children’s Museum
- Pam Christenson, MGE
- Aaron Frank, Madison Top Company
- Tyler Leeper, Madison Boats
- Sarah Neujahr, New Year Investments
- Jamie Patrick, Destination Madison & Madison Area Sports Commission
- Carol Richard, Ross Street Design
- Technical Task Force: Tim Anderson, architect and urban planner; Alan Fish, redevelopment strategist; Drew Howick, professional facilitator; Fred Klancnik, civil engineer; Doug Kozel, architect; Sam Lawrence, construction specialist; Dave Mollenhoff, historian; Carol Richard, architect; James Tye, fundraising and outreach strategist; Rob Montgomery, water resources engineer; Rahel Desalegne, civil engineer; Allen Arnsten (FNW Board liaison). Advisors as needed: George Austin, policy & development strategist and Mark Schmitz, experiential designer
In the News
A Public Affair, WORT FM December 7, 2022
National Design Teams Offer Striking Initial Concepts for Lake Monona Waterfront November 8, 2022
Madison to Engage Community on Lake Monona Waterfront Design Challenge September 15, 2022
Design Competition seeks to make Lake Monona Waterfront a ‘must see’ Jan 10, 2022
City to Explore Grand Connections Between Downtown and Lake Monona June 4, 2019
Explainer: What is Madison Doing to Better Connect Downtown to It’s Lakes? March 16, 2018