Title
Informational Presentation from Staff Regarding Madison Parks Division’s 2025-2030 Park & Open Space Plan. (All Districts)
Body
The 2025-2030 POSP was adopted by the Board of Park Commissioners and Common Council in October 2025 (Leg File ID# 89620) on serves as the Parks Division’s five-year strategic plan. The POSP was developed under the guidance and oversight of the Parks Long Range Planning Subcommittee over the more than 24 months. The POSP was adopted as a supplement to the City of Madison Comprehensive Plan and is required for participation in state and federal grant programs. An analysis of park land inventory was completed, and the POSP incorporates public feedback received, analyzes park use and trends in recreation, and takes into account overall City, County and State planning efforts to determine park and recreation needs for the community.
The 2025-2030 POSP provides a roadmap to staff and policymakers, including subcommittees of the Board of Park Commissioners, for addressing the many challenges faced by the park system. 2025-2030 POSP recommended strategies call for Madison Parks to:
• Increase connectivity between parks to enhance access.
• Reduce parkland deficiencies and respond to increasing residential density.
• Create welcoming and inclusive park spaces and programming.
• Foster meaningful connections with groups and organizations that advance the vision of the Parks Division.
• Improve public access to lakes and waterways.
• Protect and celebrate the community’s cultural richness.
• Protect and enhance natural resources.
• Improve the park system’s capacity to adapt to environmental challenges.
• Develop new parks and amenities in a fiscally sustainable manner.
• Secure sufficient resources to sustain service levels across the growing and changing park system.
• Pursue regional solutions to regional issues.
• Promote the physical and social health of the diverse community.