Title
Approving Request from Parks Division Staff to Rename the Madison Senior Center Courtyard to Capitol Centre Park
Body
On 3/21/23, the Common Council authorized the administrative reclassification of the Madison Senior Center courtyard, located at 333 W. Dayton Street, from a “public mall” to a city park (file# 76479 <https://madison.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6046738&GUID=1F2DEED3-2F95-49ED-A5F2-8FE7B65916DA&Options=ID%7CText%7C&Search=senior+center+courtyard&FullText=1>). Adding the half-acre parcel to the Parks Division system addresses parkland deficiencies in downtown Madison as identified in the 2018 Park and Open Space Plan and 2012 Downtown Plan. The Council and Board of Park Commissioners also authorized Parks to undertake a courtyard renovation project to bring the parcel up to park service standards (file# 76582 <https://madison.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6048282&GUID=9A71953B-E45F-4757-B8B8-2883A5896F03&Options=ID|Text|&Search=senior+center+courtyard>). The park’s renovation was completed in February 2024, and the new addition is currently available for public use as a mini park.
The Parks Division has led public engagement efforts throughout the redevelopment of the courtyard, with the intention of ultimately renaming courtyard to announce its new status as a public green space within the parks system. A group of area residents, representing the Mifflin District of Capitol Neighborhoods, Inc, has proposed naming the park Capitol Centre Park, in recognition of the original development and surrounding neighborhood. The proposed name meets the conventions identified in the adopted policy, specifically:
For a location, such as the name of an adjacent street or the related plat or subdivision.
Alder Verveer, who represents District 4 in which the courtyard is located, supports the request. Parks is requesting consideration from the Long-Range Planning Committee to consider renaming the Senior Center Courtyard to Capitol Centre Park.