John Nolen's 1911 "Madison: A Model City" and "Voices of the Lake" Sasaki's 2023 Master Plan

A Virtual Event:

Madison Trust

In 1909, a group of 300 Madisonians met to consider commissioning a comprehensive plan that would guide the future growth and development of Wisconsin’s capitol city. By a unanimous vote, John Nolen, a landscape architect based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and one of America’s leading town planning and civic design professionals, was hired to prepare the plan. That plan, “Madison: A Model City”, included Nolen’s vision of connecting the Capitol to the lake. Though Nolen’s plan was never fully realized, over the years it has remained an inspiration for development of Lake Monona’s waterfront. Now, a new major planning initiative, sponsored by the City of Madison and Friends of Nolen Waterfront, is again drawing Madison’s attention to its downtown lakefront. “Voices of the Lake” is a new master plan for the Lake Monona waterfront, introduced to the public by a design team at Sasaki Associates, Denver office, in 2023. This presentation will focus on John Nolen’s 1911 model city plan and then look at how new voices and ideas have informed the current plan to re-envision the future of Madison’s signature lakefront park.

The Ad Hoc Committee will meet to review the final draft of the Sasaki Master Plan. The meeting is open to the public!

Join us for the 15th annual Sustain Dane Summit, a conference for sustainability leaders to learn, connect, share, reflect, and build new skills. Friends of Nolen Waterfront will be there!

The Ad Hoc Committee will be meeting to review and finalize the Sasaki master plan.

Join DMI members and partners at the 2023 DMI Annual Celebration to network, enjoy great food, beverages, entertainment, and celebrate downtown on the rooftop of the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center! Attendees will be able to enjoy stations throughout the event that represent downtown and make it a great place to live, work, and visit!

The Annual Celebration is DMI’s largest event and fundraiser of the year with proceeds going to support DMI’s work to make downtown Madison an economically strong, inclusive, equitable, and vibrant place for all. The cost to attend is $100 per person or $800 for a corporate pack of 8. Please register by Thursday, September 14 to reserve your spot. Questions: contact DMI at info@downtownmadison.org or 608-512-1331.

The Ad Hoc Committee will be meeting to review and discuss progress design documents by Sasaki. The public is welcome to attend. There will be an opportunity for public comment.

Madison Parks is holding a public event for an update on the Lake Monona Waterfront planning initiative.

The Sasaki design team is working closely with the Lake Monona Waterfront Ad-Hoc Committee on plan revisions based on community input received during the first phase of the design challenge. The evening event includes a half-hour presentation by the team, a Q&A session, and an open house to meet team members. For those unable to attend in person, the presentation can be viewed via Zoom. The Zoom registration link is available on the project website: Lake Monona Waterfront Design Challenge.

Friends of Nolen Waterfront is proud to be a sponsor of the Urban League of Greater Madison 9th Annual Unity Picnic.

Unity Picnic 2023 will feature live performances from DJ Andre, Untitled, Yancyy, and Leotha Stanley, as well as delicious food from BP Smokehouse and Kipp’s Catering. There will also be the chance to meet Bucky Badger and play football with Badger Athletes! In addition, various resources will be available, including a free vaccination clinic as well as a youth and bicycle area with a variety of activities, giveaways and surprises. The day will provide various offerings to entertain and captivate kids and adults of all ages from start to finish.

The event will take place in front of the Black Business Hub, with some special and exciting things planned that you won’t want to miss! There is no cost to attend, so join us on this day and rejoice inn the spirit of unity, community, family and fun!

Friends of Nolen Waterfront is proud to be a sponsor of the Dane Buy Local Shop Local Tour.

The tour includes transportation provided by Gallant Knight Limos, commemorative pin, swag bag, meet the staff and have the opportunity to shop at the up to 6 shops per tour, dessert and a drink.

Tickets are available at: Dane Buy Local

Enjoy a summer evening with a burger on the bay. Paddle out to our Burger Barge to get a home cooked burger, listen to live music, and enjoy a night floating on Monona Bay. Book your boat and burger tickets today! Madison Boats.

Anna Cawrse, Principal in Charge and Allen Arntsen, Chair of the Lake Monona Waterfront Ad Hoc Committee will present the master plan project.

Plan to attend the workshop hosted by the Lake Monona Waterfront Ad Hoc Committee and Sasaki. Meet Ann Cawrse, Principal in Charge with Sasaki who will be leading the master plan design process. This is an opportunity to contribute to the final master plan design.

The Friends of Nolen Waterfront sponsored this panel discussion on the history of the area and how the vision of a signature waterfront park has become a possibility.