City adding new sidewalks to schools; sports take center stage
MADISON – Sports in a wide field, including soccer, baseball, softball, pickleball, Miracle League and ‘the gym’ required time in Mayor Ranae Bartlett’s schedule for the week of Sept. 14, as documented in her newsletter, “Madison Weekly.”
At Toyota Field, Bartlett congratulated the Trash Pandas for progressing to the Southern League Championship for the first time in franchise history.
For another sport, soccer fields will be a component of the new city park that will be built west of County Line Road. Madison Planning Commission revealed a new rendering at its Sept. 17 meeting. Soccer fields will match dimensions of Field 5 at Dublin Park. The project includes play space for children and a dog park.
“We asked you to help us name the sports facility on Graphics Drive. And you responded with an overwhelming favorite,” Bartlett said. “The facility will be named ‘Madison Sportsplex.’ We think the name is perfect for a place that houses a gym, softball fields, pickleball courts and more.”
Sidewalks to Schools
The city and Madison City Schools have signed an agreement to build new sidewalks adjacent to schools. “For plenty of students, walking to class is the easiest way to get there, and these new sidewalks mean they can do it more safely,” Bartlett said.
The middle and high schools will receive these sidewalks first:
• Discovery Middle School — Hughes Road, from Lynwood to Oakland Trace.
• Liberty Middle School — Connecting Equestrian Lane to the school’s rear entrance.
• Bob Jones High School — Hughes Road, from Eastview Drive to Conger Road.
• James Clemens High School – Two locations: Burgreen Road, from Powell Road to Hatley Lane; Burgreen Road, at Cedar Acres Drive and out to parking lot by baseball field.
The city is applying for grants to add other sidewalks.
“Projects like this are what happens when a city and its schools pull in the same direction,” Bartlett said. “We’re proud of what we’re building together: one sidewalk, and one safer walk to school, at a time.”
Madison Cares
At Madison Community Center, faith leaders and civic officials with the Madison Cares group learned about food insecurity in Madison and its vicinities. Speakers from United Way, Manna House and One Gen Away spoke about scenarios that they have experienced and suggested concrete ways that congregations can get involved, Bartlett said.
Building Relationships
Bartlett’s schedule included a brief trip to Washington D.C. to connect with federal officeholders. She and U.S. Sen. Katie Britt discussed the city’s plans to manage rapid growth.
Bartlett relayed the activities for city departments during the week:
• Madison Police Department — 992 calls for service, 26 arrests, 79 incident reports, 61 citations and 68 warnings.
• Madison Fire and Rescue Department — 118 total incidents for 16.9 daily average; 2 fire calls; 14 public service; and 73 medical calls.
• Parks and Recreation All Abilities Programming – Number of participants included Friday Fitness, 19; Everyday Life Skills Class, 11; Soccer, 5; Merrimack Happy Dancer, 9; Merrimack Happy Sprouts, 14; and Social Explorers, 4.
Taste of Madison will be held at Toyota Field on Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. Proceeds will support the Miracle League Field at Palmer Park. Tickets cost $91.50.
For more information, visit madisonal. gov.
