Fiscal Note
No appropriation Required
Title
Commending, Honoring and Expressing Appreciation to "Arnott" Simon (Si) Widstrand, Parks Planning & Development Manager, upon his retirement from City service.
Body
Preamble
(Arnott) Si Widstrand retired on December 30, 2008 following more than 34 years of service to the City of Madison. Si began his career with the Parks Division in 1973 as a seasonal Conservation Laborer and then as a seasonal Conservation Ranger. Over the years, he has seen his position description change and he has held many different job titles with ever increasing responsibilities. He held the titles of Conservation Specialist, Conservation Resource Coordinator, and in 1990, he became the Conservation Resources Supervisor. His personnel record at the time noted that "Mr. Widstrand has been performing above and beyond his job description for several years. He continues to perform in an excellent manner and his work has always been above reproach." In 1991 he again was promoted to Parks Planning, Development and Resource Supervisor. Finally, in 2002, following a reorganization of the Parks Division, he became the Parks Planning and Development Manager
His file also contains many letters recognizing his dedication to the conservation parks within the Madison park system. He was especially commended for his work in Edna Taylor Conservation Park, the development of the conservation park at Stricker's Pond, and in particular the expansion of Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park.
Owen Conservation Park also played an important part in his career. In addition to reclaiming abandoned farm fields, establishing prairie and oak woodlands, his family resided in the caretaker's home on the property. His daughters grew up in that park and were left with lots of great memories and lasting impressions, so much so that when his first grandson was born, Owen was named for this park.
Throughout his career, he has enjoyed the outdoors in all seasons, whether at work or at play as his hobbies of bicycling, cross-country skiing, canoeing, hunting and photography will attest to his great love of the outdoors. Thanks to his love of the outdoors, the bike trails, hiking trails and cross-country ski trails throughout our park system were developed.
Parks staff will miss Si's low-key approach to leadership and direction and his ability to listen to all viewpoints in a kind, considerate and thoughtful manner before implementing decisions that would affect the citizens of Madison for future generations. He has repeatedly demonstrated his dedication to Madison's parks. His institutional knowledge and experience in the Parks Division is highly valued and appreciated by his colleagues and will be sorely missed. He had the ability to recall the historical aspects of Madison's more than 260 parks.
The Madison Parks Foundation also recognizes Si's wealth of knowledge regarding Madison's wonderful park system and publicly thanks him for his many years of dedication to make it the prominent system it is known for. Si's legacy includes the diversity of conservation parks, the preservation of fragile ecosystems and the vision of a vibrant urban park operation that is accessible to all of Madison's citizens and visitors.
Additionally, Si formed constructive relationships with the county, neighboring communities, other city agencies and Neighborhood Associations throughout the city which benefited our parks in its long range planning initiatives. He was also very instrumental in the development of community gardens and recognized that urban parks must be inclusive of both active and quiet park activities.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Common Council commend, honor and express sincere thanks to Si Widstrand for his more than 34 years of service and that the Mayor and Common Council join all city staff in wishing Si and his wife, Tere, happy pedaling, happy travels and years of good fortune.