With the weather finally becoming beautiful, what a better time to address a couple issues which people appreciate a lot in the spring/summer seasons.The Yahara River Parkway Master Plan has finally been completed after three years of hard work by committee members. I'm sure many of you have already read about it but for those who haven't, it involved a comprehensive study of ways to enhance the Parkway, linking the Isthmus from Lakes Mendota to Monona, as an aesthetic, recreational, and social asset to neighborhood and City residents. The essential focuses were an expansion of parkland, the development of a pedestrian/bicycle path and footpath, and encouraging redevelopment towards more residential, mixed commercial/residential and open space opportunities.

The interest in this project has been astounding. At the Yahara River Parkway Committee's final public meeting on April 4, over 150 people gathered to receive information, ask questions and provide input in the form of verbal and written comments. As of this writing, the Master Plan is scheduled to be introduced to the Common Council on April 21, and then be referred to several city committees for their review, input, and recommendations. I will have a schedule of which committees, as will Archie Nicolette of the city's Department of Planning and Development (266-4635).

After the Plan is finally approved by the Council, the committee will continue its life by meeting as necessary to follow the implementation proceedings of our recommendations. Some present members will be leaving the committee at this time, so if you are interested in becoming involved please let me know. I truly enjoyed being one of the members of this team and would like to heartily thank all the committee members for the long number of hours and dedicated work they put into this project. The Tenney Lapham residents involved included Ed Jepsen, co-chair, Alison Mader and David Wallner.

On another subject, the Committee on Community Gardens has finally begun meeting. We will be exploring what the city's role is in the establishment of community gardens city-wide, with special emphasis on the Isthmus which is so difficult an area to find open space. It's a great group of people representing community gardening groups, a member of the UW community with expertise in urban gardening development, representatives of the Parks Commission, Plan Commission, and CDBG Commission, and one alderperson. John Bell, a Tenney Lapham resident is serving as Chair while I am the lone alder and serve as vice chair.

Finally, thanks to everyone who participated in Earth Day activities and "Take a Stake in the Lakes." It's very uplifting to see people of all ages working together to make our urban environment cleaner and more attractive. Extra kudos to those who do this on an ongoing basis, whether in the streets, parks, or wherever else.

Bravo!

- Alder Barbara Vedder

email: [email protected]


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