Madison LakeWay Partners
Formerly The Friends of Nolen Waterfront, LakeWay Partners is a private 501(c)(3) organization partnering with the City of Madison to leverage philanthropic dollars in order to reimagine the Lake Monona waterfront along John Nolen Drive.
The Partners imagine the waterfront as a welcoming destination for all Madison residents and visitors. A waterfront destination that connects Downtown Madison to Lake Monona, enhances community connections, increases physical and visual access to the lake, improves Lake Monona’s water quality and aquatic habitat, celebrates Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural legacy in Madison, and recognizes Lake Monona’s cultural history.
Milestones
2024: Master Plan is approved by the Madison Common Council on April 16. Friends of Nolen Waterfront becomes Madison LakeWay Partners.
2023: The three teams selected to participate in the design challenge presented their master plans of the Lake Monona Waterfront. You can see their solutions here. Sasaki is the winning team - unanimously selected by the Ad Hoc Committee and confirmed by the Madison Common Council.
2022: Lake Monona Design Challenge is approved and an ad hoc committee is formed. Friends of Nolen Waterfront supports the challenge by providing 50% of the funding. Three teams are selected to participate in the design challenge.
2019: Parks Division Preliminary Report for the Lake Monona Waterfront corridor.
2018: City approved funding for development of master plan.
2016–2018: An ad hoc committee of community members and Madison-area design professionals meet to support the Lake Monona Waterfront. Formation of Friends of Nolen Waterfront, Inc. as an official 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
A long time coming, the history of this project is extensive.