Alumni Park: A Celebration of Badger History and the Wisconsin Idea
Alumni Park at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is more than just a green space; it's a vibrant tapestry woven with the stories of the university's rich history, its accomplished alumni, and the enduring Wisconsin Idea. Situated on the shores of Lake Mendota, between the Memorial Union and the Red Gym, this park serves as a welcoming gateway to campus, inviting students, alumni, faculty, staff, and visitors alike to immerse themselves in the Badger spirit.
From Parking Lot to Park: A Vision Realized
The story of Alumni Park began long before its opening. The initial idea of a park-like promenade in this location dates back to the 1908 Campus Master Plan, which "aimed to secure harmony of aspect among the groups through emphasizing their unity as parts of one great University.” However, limited resources prevented its realization at the time. For many years, the space served as a surface parking lot, a far cry from the vibrant green space envisioned in the early 20th century.
The Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) breathed new life into this vision. In 2009, then-WAA president Paula Bonner spearheaded the effort to create a green space at the most popular entryway to campus, near State Street and the Memorial Union Terrace. Bonner envisioned more than just a garden. She wanted a space that celebrated the university's most hallowed tradition: the Wisconsin Idea.
Bonner recalls that the project "started out with a little $2 million project,” included as part of the association’s 150th anniversary celebration in 2011. She emphasizes the importance of the lake in people's memories of the university. "What they remembered was the lake," says Bonner. The project grew, fueled by private donations. Bonner stated that "We started over and got brave and got some early believers. This was nothing but me and a couple of our great volunteer co-chairs, and fundraising with a few sketches and a lot of arms waving and a lot of excitement. My gosh, people gave some money-all private donations!" The construction of Alumni Park and the Goodspeed Family Pier totaled $8 million, while One Alumni Place cost $3 million.
After years of planning and fundraising, Alumni Park officially opened on October 6, becoming a reality. The park completes the recent East Campus Mall development, integrating into the eight-block pedestrian mall stretching from the Kohl Center north to the Lake Mendota shore, complete with Goodspeed Family Pier, and a stunning view of the Picnic Point precipice.
Read also: Legacy of Fordham University
A Park of Stories: Exhibits and Features
Alumni Park is thoughtfully designed to engage visitors and tell the story of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It features a variety of distinctive and attractive exhibits that showcase alumni stories, campus traditions, and the impact of the Wisconsin Idea.
The Fountain: Approaching from Langdon Street, visitors are greeted by a backlit granite fountain where water cascades over ripples carved in stone.
Badger Pride Wall: An 80-foot-long Badger Pride Wall, designed by Nate Koehler and made in Green Bay, depicts stories - some well-known and others quirky - from UW and state history. The Wall is constructed of COR-TEN steel and features etchings of iconic images like the Statue of Liberty, flamingos, and footballs.
Alumni Way: This exhibit features five 18-foot panels representing the five pillars of the Wisconsin Idea: service, discovery, tradition, leadership, and progress.
William Harley Sculpture: Recognizing alumnus William Harley (1908), co-founder of Harley-Davidson, the park features a sculpture of a vintage Harley Davidson motorcycle that visitors can “ride” for a photo.
Read also: Baylor's Notable Alumni
Bucky Badger Sculpture: A multi-media Bucky Badger sculpture by artist Douwe Blumberg offers a contemplative yet whimsical representation of the beloved mascot.
The Lantern: A 7-foot-tall steel cone that will include inspirational words from alumni commencement speakers.
Numen Lumen: The seal of the university.
Dotted within the greenspace are elliptical-shaped granite walls, sourced from Kohl Springs, Minnesota, creating ripples, circles and arcs. The university crest glows at night, along with several other elements around the park.
Celebrating Alumni: Honoring the Badger Legacy
Alumni Park proudly showcases the achievements of over 200 alumni, highlighting decades of contributions that embody the Wisconsin Idea. Out of some 435,000 alumni, 123 were chosen for this round of recognition. The park recognizes alumni from various fields, including:
Read also: Columbia University Legacy
William Harley: Co-founder of Harley-Davidson.
Gaylord Nelson: Former Wisconsin governor and founder of Earth Day.
Carol Bartz: Former CEO of Autodesk and Yahoo!.
John Muir: 1864
Kathryn Clarenbach: ’41, MA’42, PhD’46
Robert La Follette: 1879, LLB 1901
Marcy Kaptur: ’68, longtime Democratic S.
Jim Sensenbrenner: JD’68, former Republican S.
Natasha Ali: An alumni being honored during opening weekend, earned her master’s degree in journalism at UW and continued on as a successful news producer in New York. She has served on the School of Journalism and Mass Communications Board of Visitors since 2010, and was named one of WAA’s Forward Under Forty in 2013. While in Madison, she worked at local stations WKOW and WISC, as well as filled the role of minority advisor, providing support to students of color on campus.
These are just a few examples of the many accomplished alumni whose stories are celebrated in Alumni Park. The park serves as a testament to the impact that UW-Madison graduates have had on the world.
A Green Oasis: Native Landscaping and Design
Alumni Park is not only a place of stories but also a beautiful green space. The park features 75 trees and plantings of many native species, creating a natural oasis on the shores of Lake Mendota. To the extent possible, the exhibits feature Wisconsin materials crafted by local artists, further emphasizing the park's connection to the state.
tags: #alumni #park #uw #madison #history #and
