HOW TO START YOUR PARK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

Current Neighborhood Projects     Fundraising Help

Many of the improvements made in Madison’s parks are the result of individuals or groups who saw the need and got to work marshalling neighborhood energy and support. If you have some good ideas about improving a neighborhood park, the Madison Parks Foundation and the Madison Parks Division are here to help bring your efforts to fruition.

Here’s how:

First, contact the Madison Parks Division at 266-4700 to discuss your ideas. Parks staff will work with you to help develop your concept, finalize the design, put together a preliminary budget and secure initial approval for the project to enable it to proceed.

Once your project has been approved, Parks Division staff can also help determine if matching funds are available through the People for Parks program.

Depending on the scope of your project, the Parks Commission may also need to give approval.

Once you’ve received your approvals, you can enroll your project with the Madison Park Foundation. Our 501(c)(3) Public Entity status permits you to raise money while the Foundation handles the bookkeeping and tax reporting duties. This can save you significant time and negates the need for your group to apply for tax exempt status.

You can enroll simply by contacting the Foundation by sending an email or letter to Dorothy Borchardt, President of the Madison Parks Foundation. Dorothy’s email address is projects@madisonparksfoundation.org, or mail to PO Box 2987, Madison, WI 53701-2987.