Olin Park Lakeside Offices Landscape
Project Details
Madison Parks Lakeside Offices
Project Information
In late 2022, Madison Parks administrative offices moved from the City-County Building in downtown Madison to the renovated Lakeside Offices at 330 E. Lakeside Street. The 43,000 sq. ft. building, shared with Madison Community and School Recreation (MSCR), is located within beautiful Olin Park on the shores of Lake Monona.
Madison Parks system-wide features a variety of landscapes ranging from prairies, woods, and manicured gardens. The landscape around the new Madison Parks Lakeside Offices will highlight a few of the landscapes found in Madison Parks. The initial landscape beautification plan was developed by the award-winning and recently retired Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Director of Horticulture, Jeff Epping.
The beautification plan and implementation is a collaborative effort with staff from all Parks sections done in phases over two to three years.
Gravel and Soil Beds Installed
In the summer of 2024, the area outside the main entrance transformed into a gravel garden. Parks construction team prepped the soil area and installed the gravel garden base. Once the area was ready to go, staff from throughout the Madison Parks Division participated in multiple planting parties to plant 10,000+ native grasses and perennials.
Gravel gardens provide a habitat for many pollinators and can survive drought conditions.
The last phase includes creating a plan for the rooftop garden area and the lakeside-facing area of the property. This phase will start in 2025.
Blooming Prairie
By the summer of 2024, the prairie restoration area was blooming.
Drilling in the Seeds
In the fall of 2023, the large turf area alongside the parking lot was prepped to begin transitioning into a native prairie. In spring 2024, the area was seeded with native prairie plants using a no-till seeder drill.
Aspen Planting
In November 2023, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway joined Parks Ecology team in planting Aspen trees along the front of the Madison Parks Lakeside entrance. The trees will create shade and provide habitat for area wildlife.
