The Friends of the Yahara River Parkway got off to a very successful start this fall, hosting an inaugural get together at the Tenney Park Shelter and launching a membership drive. We’ve been busy ever since, getting our organizational house in order, participation in the planning processes for the East Rail Corridor, the Sherman Avenue Bridge Reconstruction, and the East Washington Avenue Reconstruction project.

We’ve also been communicating with members and others about possible projects to pursue in the spring and summer of 2003 in addition to maintaining the sites we have already replanted. Dozens of people have shown their support by becoming members, and so far we have raised over $1000 to support our projects. It’s never too late to join; here in the newsletter you will find a membership coupon. Please join in!

The 2003 City Budget includes $10,000 for preliminary planning on repairing and adapting the old bathhouse at the corner of Sherman and Marston, and $10,000 for new plantings in Tenney Park and the Yahara River Parkway. Madison School Community Recreation has also raised the money necessary to replace their storage shed at the pontoon boat dock.

On January 18 the Friends of the Yahara River Parkway will be hosting a morning get together to brainstorm projects for the spring and summer. Project selection will depend in part on how many volunteers are willing to commit to take on a particular project, so please, if there is something you would like to see happen in the park this summer, come join us to share your idea on the morning of Saturday, January 18^th. The gathering will be a potluck brunch at the home of Ed Jepsen, 2317 Oakridge Avenue from 10 until 1. If you would like further information or instructions on how to get there, call Ed at 244-8847.

And finally, you are invited to join the Friends – a membership form can be found here.

-Margaret Bergamini

TLNA Parks Chair

Return to Winter 2003 Table of Contents