The City of Monona City Council voted to approve the Phase I Conceptual Development Plan for San Damiano Park.
The approved plan will open the lakefront site for daily use, improve accessibility and create new opportunities for community connection, outdoor recreation and sustainable revenue generation.
“This is a transformational moment,” Cara Erickson, executive director of Friends of San Damiano, said in a statement. “Phase I removes long-standing barriers to bringing this space to life in a way that fully serves our community, while also building revenue-generating opportunities, allowing the park to sustain itself.”
Key Phase I priorities include improved parking and site access, a pier, patio and waterfront access points and more.
These improvements are aimed at attracting partners and investment for future phases of development.
“I’m in favor of this plan,” Monona Mayor Nancy Moore said in a statement. “It addresses current barriers and creates opportunities for programming and partnerships, while retaining and even showcasing its serenity. I know people will want to return. When the plan is realized, it will reflect the best of our community and the park’s mission.”
Next steps for the Friends of San Damiano include finalizing the business plan for the property, building the project team and launching a capital fundraising campaign to support these improvements.
