Flourishing Northside neighborhood associations and community
organizations are creating a stronger Northside identity as
the “Gateway to Madison. ” Neighborhood-based groups
help Northside residents meet their neighbors and to have a
voice in their neighborhood’s affairs. These groups also
work through the Northside Planning Council to share information,
address community-wide issues and create greater resources for
Northside residents.
Click a number to read more about
the neighborhood!
1. Berkley Oaks ~ Neighbhorhood Spotlight, 2007
Serving 203 single family homes, a mobile home community and
21 apartment buildings, the Berkley Oaks Neighborhood Association
(BONA), established in 1996 by Anita Lightfoot, was reestablished
in 2006 by Willy Holden. Soon after moving into Berkley
Oaks with his wife Valerie and two children, Willy recognized
the underutilization of Berkley Park and wondered, “Who
are my neighbors? What’s going on in the neighborhood?”
Willy credits Northside News and Northside Planning Council
in providing resources to assist reestablishing BONA.
“The Northside Planning Council offered me leadership
training in the Leadership Circle program and referred me as
a developing leader to the Grassroots Leadership College,”
Willy said. He also co-presented “Starting a Neighborhood
Association: The First Steps” at the 2006 Neighborhoods
Conference.
BONA’s vice-president, Lydia Maurer. Lydia’s involvement
began with a flier announcing BONA’s first 2006 meeting.
“I attended the meeting and, immediately, I was hooked.
By hosting the meeting in their lovely home, offering delicious
food and an unhurried agenda, Willy and Valerie set the stage
for success by welcoming everyone, easing us into introductions
and establishing BONA’s rapport of comfort, courtesy and
community,” said Lydia.
BONA’s efforts led to improved hours and lighting at Berkley
Park and membership in the Dane County Time Bank. Goals for
2007 are to further enhance the community by adding perennials
and permanent picnic tables to Berkley Park, attractively landscaping
a traffic triangle and advocating for the installation of two
traffic islands on Tennyson Lane. BONA plans to host an
annual neighborhood picnic and Earth Day activities. Membership
is extended to all residents, businesses, community organizations
and landlords within Berkley Oaks. BONA’s quarterly meetings
will be held at Pierce’s Northside Market.
Contact Willy Holden by e-mail at valwilly@charter.net
or by phone at 444-9854.
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2. Brentwood Village
The Brentwood Village Association was established in 1958 and
is one of the Northside’s oldest neighborhood associations.
It includes over 200 homes and 50 apartment buildings in the
area south of Warner Park, west of North Sherman Avenue and
north of MacPherson Street. Membership is extended to all residents,
businesses, community organizations and landlords within the
geographical area. The association has a board of nine members,
holds quarterly meetings at Warner Park Community Recreation
Center, operates several yearly social and community service
events, and publishes a quarterly newsletter. Contact Gil Gonzales,
President, at 244-8231.
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3. Cherokee Gardens
The Cherokee Garden Condominium Homes Association was organized
in 1976 and now includes 570 condominium homes. The association's
efforts have led to extended bus service and road improvements
in their area. Boundaries are Wheeler Road, N. Sherman Avenue,
Comanche Way, Golf Parkway, and Golf Course Road. The Association
is governed by an elected board of directors whose responsibility
it is to administer the by-laws of the association. The board
meets monthly to address current issues and future plans. The
condominium association meets annually to hear the board report
on the state of the association and to elect new board members.
Contact Mary Jo Rimkus, Board President, at 246-9111.
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4. Cherokee Townhouses
The Cherokee Townhouses and Garden Condominiums had their beginnings
in 1974. Today there are 57 townhouse condominium units. The
condo association, Cherokee Townhouse Condominium Homes, Inc.
was founded in 1975, has monthly board meetings and an annual
meeting. Contact John Kanvik at 245-1868.
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5. Cherokee Park
Organized in 1994, Cherokee Park Neighborhood Association serves
about 270 homes with an active slate of social and other activities,
including an annual garage sale, park clean up, Easter Egg Hunt,
4th of July bike parade and picnic, Halloween event and holiday
dinner. The primary purpose of the neighborhood association
is to provide community enjoyment, to generate a spirit of community
among neighborhood residents and to promote awareness of this
unique neighborhood surrounded by a lake, golf course and wildlife
preserve. Contact CPNA President Jeni Hanser at 242-8819.
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6. East Bluff
Formed in the early 70s as Wisconsin's first condominium association,
serving 176 units (450 residents), East Bluff is at the intersection
of Northport Drive and North Sherman Avenue. Residents enjoy
Rhythm and Booms, Madison Mallards games, and the multi-faceted
Warner Park just across the street. Major goals for 2007 include
continuing to ensure that East Bluff provides attractive, safe,
and affordable homes for Northside families. Contact Fernando
Cano Ospina, President at 444-1626.
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7. Kennedy Heights
Formed in 1983, Kennedy Heights was the first Northside neighborhood
to develop a community center. The center offers a full range
of programs including, a city accredited early childhood program,
an after school program, a youth program, a girl neighborhood
power program, adult activities that include a women's' group
and cultural activities and an Asian outreach program that includes
parenting classes for the numerous Southeast Asian families
living in the neighborhood. The Center host community building
events throughout the year and has numerous volunteer opportunities.
In 2007 the community center is trying to purchase a "new"
used 15 passenger van. Contact Alyssa Kenney at 244-0767 for
more information.
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8. Lake View Hill
Formed in the mid-1980s, the association has always acted as
a guardian of the beautiful green spaces of Lake View Hill.
After a period of dormancy, the association was reactivated
in 2003. Activities include a neighborhood directory, spring
plant sale, summer picnic, and regular meetings with potlucks
and speakers. Contact Annette Eisman at 244-2055 for more information.
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9. Lerdahl Park
Formed in 1996 in response to the threatened development of
the Troy Gardens property and to the challenges at Mendota Elementary,
Lerdahl Park includes about 275 households. The association
is currently inactive. Contact the NPC office at 661-0060 if
you are interested in getting involved.
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10. Lindbergh
The Lindbergh area is considered at large and is not organized
as a Neighborhood association at this time. If you are interested
in getting involved, contact the NPC office at 661-0060.
11. Maple Bluff
The Village of Maple Bluff, population 1,350, occupies a narrow
band on the northeast shoreline of Lake Mendota where Winnebago
Indians once had their summer encampments. Annual village events
include the Father’s Day Parade, Fourth of July Parade
and Fireworks, Garage Sale, Holiday Tree Lighting and Winterfest.
The Maple Bluff neighborhood has been involved with broader
Northside issues and is a member of the Northside Planning Council.
Youth sailing classes are available at Marina Park - for scholarship
info contact the recreation department. Contact Village Administrator
Tim Krueger at 244-3048 or NPC representative Laura Vogel at
244-7187.
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12. Maple Wood Condos
Last year, Maple Wood held its sixth annual garage sale in June
and annual picnic in September. This year, we will continue
updating our buildings by installing vinyl siding on all of
the buildings. Contact the NPC office at 661-0060 if you are
interested in getting involved.
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13. Mendota Hills
Formed in 1994, this association serves 150 homes west of Warner
Park. Activities include an annual neighborhood picnic, neighborhood
garage sale, a spring plant exchange and neighborhood directory.
Contact Bob Paolino at 249-7126.
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14. Nobel Park
The Nobel Park neighborhood association was established in 2003.
The area covers the triangle that runs from the corner of School
Road and Troy Drive to the corner of School Road and Northport
Drive and connects at the corners of Troy and Northport. The
goal is to have more active participation so residents can all
get to know their neighbors better. Contact Daniel O’Kane
at 241-8081 or dwljo@charter.net
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15. North Lake Mendota
Formed in 1978 to protect the wetlands west of Mendota Health
Center, the association has grown to serve over 300 homes. Meadow
Ridge Park now has a playground set and there is a wooded space
and hiking trail to connect it with Westport Meadows Park. An
area has also been set aside for field-type sports for the neighborhood
children. The association has established a retention pond park
of storm water management and a wildflower and aquatic species
area. Two neighborhood signs grace the entrances to the neighborhood
from grants received through the City of Madison. Currently
the association has reached an agreement with Mendota Mental
Health Institute to do an annual Deer Harvest. It will continue
to work with the city to develop Meadowridge Park, as well as
sponsoring events that will allow the members of the neighborhood
opportunities to interact. Contact Dan Hovey at 669-0809.
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16. Northport Apartments
Northport Community Learning Center was built in 1995 and is
part of the Northport Apartments, a low-income housing of 140
units. The learning center provides resources and tools to residents
to pursue their educational, career and personal goals and mainly
focuses on employment and education. The following services
are provided to residents and Northside residents: Head Start,
Even Start Program, M.A.T.C (English classes and adult education),
UW-Hmong Literacy, Language, and Jobs Project (English classes
and job skills), Career Development Center, Turning Point (East
H.S. Alternative Learning Program), After School Program, Computer
Lab, ScholarShop, ScholarShop Jr., PEOPLE Prep, Scholarship
Program (residents only) Summer Program, Teens' Time, Food Pantry
and Monthly Community Dinner. For more information, contact
Pat Steele at 513-9666.
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17. Packer Townhouses
The management and owners created the Community Learning
Centers so the residents and management can work together in
creating programs and offer services from these two learning
centers. The computer labs expanded and grew to include high-end
graphic art, animation and video software and equipment. A wide
variety of programs and services is offered, including: Head
Start; Even Start Program, Adult Basic Education and English
as a Second Language class; homework assistance; Career Development,
PEOPLE Preparatory Program; ScholarShop, ScholarShop Jr., technology
training; summer enrichment activities for youth; and a transitional
alternative high school program run by MMSD during the day.
Contact Jacki Thomas at 249-0160 for more information.
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18. Sheridan Triangle
Sheridan Triangle Neighborhood Association (STNA) represents
220 households in the area west of N. Sherman Avenue, south
of McPherson, north of Steensland, and bounded on the west by
Sheridan Drive. The association’s mission is to inform
and represent neighbors in any events and plans affecting our
neighborhood and to promote a welcoming environment for everyone.
The NA adopted the Sheridan Triangle Park and raised funds to
purchase new, safer playground equipment. They also maintain
two gardens in the park, the Daisy Patch and Nanna Peterson
native woodland wildflower garden. An annual neighborhood picnic
in August is popular. The STNA, which meets quarterly, also
publishes a quarterly newsletter, The Triangular. Contact President
Sherri Shokler at 301-0191.
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