Madeline Park Renovation: "It's a Lot of Money"

Parks and Recreation board members are split. Is it worth spending close to $100,000 on a park that might rarely get used?

Nestled on the corner of Waukesha Avenue and Elm Drive, Madeline Park has been the subject of confusion for Sussex Parks and Recreation board members for more than six months now. And with the final results from the department’s survey tallied, board members are still unclear as to what should occupy the empty lot. The idea to install adult workout stations is officially dead, and although the survey indicates residents would like another playground, board members are unconvinced. After sending the survey to more than 1,000 residents, and after Patch posted the survey for readers, 246 people responded to help give some direction. More than 50 percent of respondents said they’ve never even been to Madeline Park, but even so, a new …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (3)

Barbara Barnes

6:48 pm on Wednesday, May 30, 2012

After almost 20 years in Sussex, I have never visited this "park". The location is not useful for most families and I have never seen anyone using the space. Why not sell the land and add a few jobs to the community? There is another business to the north so it would blend in. We have lots of parks that we enjoy, maybe we don't need this one.   more ›

Last Chance: What Should Be Built at Madeline Park?

Sussex wants your feedback: What should be built at Madeline Park? Village officials plan to stop taking additional submissions on May 10, so take the survey now.

Village Survey: What Should We Build at Madeline Park?

The Village of Sussex is looking for input from residents in its new survey regarding Madeline Park. What should they build there? What would make you visit? Take the survey and actively shape your community.

The Village of Sussex is hard at work again attempting to figure a way to make Madeline Park unique, this time turning toward Sussex residents to shed some light on the space. The Parks and Recreation Department recently created a survey to gather more insight on what residents would like to see at Madeline Park, in addition to how often they use the parks system in general. The survey consists of just nine questions, and Parks and Rec Director Amy Flaherty says she hopes to get a lot of feedback. “We need your help to determine what types of activities you enjoy in the Sussex parks, and what potential amenities you would like to see added to Madeline Park,” Flaherty wrote when distributing the survey.  The revitalization of the park is …

•  9 Comments
• Photos (1)

Andy Ambrosius

1:09 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012

I kind of love this idea. Totally original.   more ›

Parks and Rec Board Rethinks Equipment at Madeline Park

Between the prices and the expected use, the board needs convincing.

It was recently announced that Madeline Park could be getting adult workout stations rather than a new playground, but now Parks and Recreation Board members aren’t so sure. Amy Flaherty, the director of Sussex Parks and Recreation Department, presented multiple options to the board during Monday night’s meeting. The two manufacturers she delved into deeper could supply full sets of outdoor workout equipment for either $14,000 or $21,000. The reality of those prices made some board members like Tim Dietrich second guess the project altogether. “I’m wondering how much usage we’re going to get from this,” Dietrich said. “The park is right off the Bugline, but the Bugline is mostly used by bicyclers. I mean, $21,000 is a lot of money here. …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Adult Exercise Stations Being Explored for Madeline Park

The empty park is up for renovation in 2013 so Parks and Recreation is exploring options for adults.

With Madeline Park slated for a facelift in 2013, Parks and Recreation officials are dabbling with the idea of installing adult, outdoor exercise stations and a “trailhead,” or building with restrooms and water fountains. This new development comes after Waukesha County announced it was transforming Menomonee Park into a dog park, squashing similar ideas of turning the 7-acre Madeline Park into a pet-friendly area. Parks and Recreation Director Amy Flaherty said the park’s connection to the Bugline sparked the idea for a more adult-focused area at a recent board meeting. “We had the playground there and it was getting pretty old and unsafe,” Flaherty said. “There’s also not a lot of kids that use that park, so rather than put in a new …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (2)

Burning Calories in the Sun

Anytime Fitness seeks approval for bootcamp classes in the park.

The newly opened Anytime Fitness wants to take its exercise options outdoors with morning bootcamp style classes at Village or Madeline park. Anytime Fitness hopes to launch its bootcamp classes in late June, said Drew Bikman, manager of the Sussex fitness center.  The proposal will be reviewed by the Village Board for a second time June 20. When the request first came before the board in May, concerns were raised about ensuring that the bootcamp classes do not interfere with other activities, such as softball or baseball, and that the park remain available to the public. “Sussex has an ordinance requiring organizations and business who would like to provide services using village facilities to receive village approval," said Jeremy Smith…

• Photos (4)

Sussex Photo of the Day

A Beautiful Winter Stream and Wetlands

Cold, clear water ripples over rocks in the stream bed just south of the intersection of Washington Ave. and Elm Ave., adjacent to Madeline Park. The stream flows toward NAPA Auto Parts and the M&M Restaurant.

• Photos (1)