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Park & Open Space Plan

2025-2030 Park & Open Space Plan

Park and Open Space Plan Vision

Madison Parks is updating its Park and Open Space Plan (POSP).

We are working with a consulting team led by MSA Professional Services, Inc. and anticipate the planning process to continue throughout 2024. As part of the process, the team will work with the Parks Long Range Planning Committee to review the sections of the plan as they are updated. See Parks Projects, the main source of information as the project moves forward including project status updates, input opportunities, and the review and approval process.

2018-2023 Park and Open Space Plan

The 2018-2023 Park and Open Space Plan (POSP) was adopted by the City of Madison Common Council on October 30, 2018. The purpose of the POSP is to serve as a long range planning guide for decisions made by City Boards and Commissions, City agencies and staff. It is a tool used to guide decisions for a variety of Park and Open Space issues such as city policies, park acquisitions, facility development, as well as park funding. The POSP is also a necessary component to be eligible for Federal and State grants.

This plan is the culmination of an intensive planning and public input process which began in May 2016 and was guided by the Long Range Planning Subcommittee of the Park Commission, the advisory committee to this plan. The Park and Open Space Plan engagement process incorporated various methods to increase opportunities for public participation. These included hosting community visioning sessions, workshops, surveys, focus group discussions, and requests for input through comment cards distributed at various park events, community centers, libraries, and public meetings. Results from the Imagine Madison Comprehensive Plan engagement process related specifically to park and open space improvements are incorporated into this plan. These planning and public input gathering efforts are unprecedented and have provided an extensive inventory and analysis of the existing and future City of Madison park system.

Park and Open Space Plan Engagement Strategy

Previous Park and Open Space Plans

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