a map of the planned Madison LakeWay with parks and major sites labeled

Madison LakeWay District

The district covers 1.7 miles and 17 acres of shoreline running from Law Park to Olin Park. The park district will connect downtown and south Madison to Lake Monona. The park will become one of the most dynamic public gathering spaces in our community and it will preserve our beautiful lakeshore for future generations to enjoy.

an aerial drawing of the Madison LakeWay project plan with the Olin Overlook, Community Causeway, Lake Lounge, and Law Park Ledge circled and labeled
Rendering of green space and path under future overpass at Olin Park. People are on the path and throughout the green space.

Olin Overlook

Rendering a future Community Causeway, a multi-use path along the lake.

Community Causeway

A rendering of the future The Lake Lounge - an open space with stairs and terraced seating. a shelter and concession stand are in the mid-ground. the Capitol and downtown in the background. People are scattered across the Lake Lounge

Lake Lounge

Rendering of Law Park Ledge, a restaurant and viewing terrace along the lake.

Law Park Ledge

Voices of the Lake: Lake Monona Waterfront. Lake Monona Waterfront Master Plan. by Sasaki

Click on the image to see the full master plan.

The Master Plan

The master plan created by Sasaki was adopted by the Madison Common Council in April, 2024.

Madison is a thriving capital city with a history that is inseparable from its lake system. Millennia ago, Madison’s system of five lakes was part of a single water body, Lake Yahara. This freshwater lake and the fertile land around it became home to the first human inhabitants of the area, the Ho-Chunk Nation. Our relationship to the lake has evolved since then, along with its very geography; the Lake Monona we know today is largely defined by human usage. We are at an exciting point in the story of Lake Monona. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a waterfront that reflects the 21st century values of Madison. We have the rare chance to reflect the diverse voices of the city—past and present—and plan for future users.

Implementation next steps. Timeline, on top of aerial drawing of Madison LakeWay with phase 1 circled and labeled

When will it happen?

The first phase of master plan refinement is underway, which includes the more detailed design of bicycle, pedestrian, and shoreline improvements along the John Nolen Drive Causeway from North of Olin Park to Broom Street Intersection.

The implementation of the Lake Monona Waterfront Master Plan will be a complex undertaking that requires careful consideration of the many stakeholders, funding opportunities, and permit requirements to ensure the project's success.