Members of the local nonprofit, Friends of James Madison Park, and community members met with the city Parks Division Wednesday to discuss possible ways to improve James Madison Park, located along Lake Mendota on the 400, 500 and 600 blocks of East Gorham Street.
Attendees brought up several ideas, including implementing community gardens, building an ice-skating rink, adding a dog park and updating the playground structures, as ways to make the park more inviting and accommodating.
Theresa Vander Woude, an intern with the nonprofit, said her concern is not that James Madison Park is “inadequate,” but its mission says to continually “preserve and improve.”
Similarly, Peggy Furlan, who owns the Livingston Inn bed and breakfast and is also a member of Friends of James Madison Park said, “It’s the vision of what we are going to do with this park long term.”
That vision could include a new shelter, which was a hot topic at the meeting. Several community members would like to see it renovated so less of the structure obstructs sidewalk views of the lake. However, dissenters said they did not want to spend money on the shelter.
Lupe Montez, a neighborhood resident and Friends of James Madison Park member, said for now they will continue collecting input and seeking interested parties to serve on a board.
“We are hoping to get a nice tight knit ... board so that we can spread the word and get more voices,” Montez said.
