A new look is in the
works for the area surrounding the historic Prairie style restroom built in
1909 in Tenney Park at the corner of Marston and Sherman Avenues.
Earlier this year the
Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood Association submitted a Community Enhancement grant
proposal to the city. The Madison
Community Enhancement Program is designed to provide neighborhood associations
and other non-profit organizations with money to make physical improvements to
enhance the identity and quality of life in Madison's neighborhoods and
strengthen the sense of community.
In June the City Council
approved TLNA’s grant proposal of $2400 to restore native vegetation in
the area around the restroom.
Margaret Bergamini accepted the certificate for the neighborhood. Grant
funds provided by the city must be matched by TLNA in cash and volunteer labor.
The restroom is the only
historic building in Tenney Park.
It has not been used for many years; however, the Tenney-Lapham
Neighborhood Association has also begun making a push for the rehabilitation of
the building by asking the Parks Department to make rehabilitation planning of
the structure a priority in their capitol budget.
The area surrounding the
building has been overgrown with non-native weedy species like honeysuckle, buckthorn,
and grape vines for many years.
Because it was hidden behind the vegetation, it has also been a frequent
target for graffiti. The grant
money will be used to plant native trees and shrubs true to the vision of O.C.
Simonds, the original landscape architect.
TLNA will also be
installing a plaque this fall at the corner. It is hoped that much of the new plantings will be done by
that time.
Work is currently
underway on the design for both the plaque and the landscaping. As part of the proposal TLNA committed
itself to enlisting neighborhood volunteers to plant, mulch, and maintain the
area. If you would like to
volunteer to help, please call Bob Shaw at 255-3486 or email (reshaw@students.wisc.edu).
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Bob Shaw
TLNA Parks Chair