April 2024

No Mow May Registration Opening

No Mow May is a conservation initiative popularized in recent years that encourages property owners to limit their lawn mowing practices during the month of May. The goal of No Mow May is to provide early-season foraging resources for pollinators that emerge in the spring, especially in urban landscapes where there is often limited resources available. The City of Sun Prairie is excited to offer its residents the opportunity to participate in its 2024 No Mow May program. For more information, visit the 2024 No Mow May webpage.

Incubator Feasibility Study

The City of Sun Prairie is dedicated to fostering growth to ensure success within our community. As part of the commitment to economic development, the City is actively exploring avenues to support local businesses. Currently, the Division of Economic Development is undertaking an incubator feasibility study to better understand the needs of the business community in the Greater Sun Prairie Area. It is a priority to engage with small businesses, entrepreneurs, and vendors to ensure that the City's efforts align with their needs and aspirations. We are committed to meeting them where they are and providing the necessary resources for their success.

What is an incubator? An incubator is an economic development strategy that nurtures entrepreneurship and aids new businesses by offering technical assistance, networking opportunities, and shared spaces such as coworking offices, manufacturing spaces, commercial kitchens, and makerspaces. Support services may include networking events, training sessions, one-on-one technical assistance, access to capital, and resources, which are also available to existing small businesses in the community.

If you are a business owner and are willing to share how the City can offer support to your needs, please complete the survey here. Your valuable insights will guide us in implementing effective strategies for businesses. For any questions, please reach out to Taylor Brown, our Economic Development Director, at tbrown@cityofsunprairie.com.

Downtown Urban Design Project

The City of Sun Prairie is excited to be partnering with Saiki Design and MSA as they embark on an exciting journey to enhance the downtown landscape. This innovative collaboration will play a pivotal role in the creation of dynamic design plans for three distinct public spaces within the heart of the city.

The project's scope encompasses a trio of public spaces, each tailored to a unique level of detail and design development. This tailored approach ensures that every space resonates harmoniously with its surroundings, contributing to a cohesive downtown ambiance.

The project's overarching goal is to cultivate captivating, inviting, and timeless public spaces that seamlessly intertwine form and function. Embracing a multi-faceted vision, the revitalized spaces are set to be hubs of activity, catering to a spectrum of community needs and aspirations. This ambitious endeavor is underpinned by input from stakeholders, fostering a collaborative approach that creates a genuine sense of ownership within the community.

To learn more, click here!

City of Sun Prairie 2023 Housing Snapshot

In our efforts to address housing challenges, we're committed to the following goals:

1. Enhancing Affordable Housing: Increase affordable units for lower-income households and maintain the quality of existing housing.

2. Diversifying Housing Options: Expand the range of housing types and price points available in our community.

3. Promoting Housing Stability: Prioritize initiatives supporting those most vulnerable to housing instability.

4. Enhancing Housing Quality and Accessibility: Improve property conditions, enhance accessibility, and increase housing opportunities for all.

This snapshot showcases our progress in 2023 toward these objectives. Stay tuned for updates in 2024!

For more on our housing initiatives, resources, and Sun Prairie-specific data, click here!

Administration: Throughout April, our extended Earth Month program offers an exciting lineup of activities and events for the community, all focused on the theme 'Make Haste to Reduce Waste'. Check out our section to learn more!

Community Development: Come on, Sun Prairie! Let’s go party! The Downtown Business Improvement District is hosting their annual Wine Walk on Thursday, May 2, and this year’s theme is Barbiecore!

Historical Library and Museum: The Museum has returned to expanded open hours and is open Wednesday – Saturday, 11:00am - 4:00pm running April 3, 2024 – November 30, 2024. We have some info on a special exhibit you'll want to check out! Go to our section to learn more.

Parks, Recreation & Forestry: Spring is in the air, which means outdoor activity will soon be in full force! Staff is currently planning for another amazing spring and summer season filled with programs and events at the city’s many parks.

Public Safety: We are excited to announce the first-ever Sun Prairie Fire & EMS Citizens Academy! This is an interactive program designed to familiarize the citizens and business owners of our service area with Fire & EMS personnel, equipment, and operations of our departments.

Sun Prairie Public Library: The Sun Prairie Public Library Foundation is proud to present the Love Your Library Gala on Saturday, April 20th at 6pm. Join the fun at this hands-on interactive event exploring podcasting, gaming through the decades, a cooking demo with Chef Patrick DePula from Salvatore's, artwork live by Artist in Residence Rebecca Kautz, and a historical storywalk.

Sun Prairie Utilities: You may see our crews flushing hydrants in Sun Prairie. Your water’s color and pressure could be impacted. Please update your email address. We are notifying residents who are near the hydrants with an estimated flushing schedule via email.

Administration

Food Waste Presentation

In an effort to address the alarming decline in pollinator populations, the Sun Prairie Public Library is hosting an informative event titled "10 Actions YOU Can Take This Year to Help Pollinators THRIVE." Scheduled for April 24, 2024, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM, this event aims to educate the community on practical steps to support local pollinators. Dr. Hannah Gaines Day, a Research Scientist from the UW-Madison Entomology Department, alongside Cindy Burtley, the Parks & Forestry Director, and Dr. Rose Daily, the Sustainability Coordinator, both from the City of Sun Prairie, will lead the presentation.

Pollinators require food, shelter, and protection from pesticides to survive, yet their populations continue to dwindle globally. During the event, attendees will learn about 10 actionable measures they can implement in their own backyards throughout the spring, summer, and fall to promote pollinator health. As a token of appreciation for participation, attendees will receive a free pollinator-friendly tree or shrub in honor of Arbor Day.

The presentation will also feature opportunities for attendees to deepen their understanding of native bee species, explore the City of Sun Prairie's No Mow May program, and sign up to be community scientists to collect pollinator data using the WiBEE app. By coming together and taking proactive steps, individuals can play a crucial role in safeguarding these essential pollinators.

Mayors’ Monarch Pledge

Protecting pollinator species like the monarch butterfly requires quality habitat, science backed local policies and community engagement. Through the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, the City of Sun Prairie is committing to doing this and more. Learn more about our pledge to protect monarchs by clicking here.

Earth Month in Sun Prairie!

We're thrilled to expand Earth Day into a month-long celebration! Globally recognized on April 22nd, Earth Day serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of environmental preservation.

Throughout April, our extended Earth Month program offers an exciting lineup of activities and events for the community, all focused on the theme 'Make Haste to Reduce Waste'. From a Compost Bin Group Buy to our inaugural Sustainable Film Series, there's something for everyone. Rose Daily, our Sustainability Coordinator, provides exclusive insights into all upcoming activities and events in a recent interview.

For a comprehensive list of Earth Month happenings, please visit https://cityofsunprairie.com/1620/2024-Earth-Month

Historical Library and Museum

Sun Prairie Historical Library and Museum

The Museum is open to the public Wednesday - Saturday 11:00am - 4:00pm and by appointment for research and special events. To learn more, visit www.cityofsunprairie.com/museum.

Staff can be reached by phone at (608) 825-0837 or by email at museum@cityofsunprairie.com.

The Historical Library and Museum is located at 115 East Main St. Sun Prairie with parking behind the building. Admission is always free.

Announcements:

Season Opening 2024

The Museum has returned to expanded open hours and is open Wednesday – Saturday, 11:00am - 4:00pm running April 3, 2024 – November 30, 2024. Our special exhibition for the start of the season features the 133 year history of the Sun Prairie Fire Department with activities and topics for the whole family. You won’t want to miss it!

Historic Downtown Walking Tours

Enjoy a free guided walking tour of the historically rich Downtown Sun Prairie with a guide from the Museum this summer. Tours run the first Saturdays of May – August at 10:30am from the center of Cannery Square.

Going Public with the Past

Ever wished you could look through the Museum’s collections from the comfort of your own home? Now you can! Visit https://sunprairie.catalogaccess.com/ to explore the collections and check back each month as more records are made available.

Parks, Recreation and Forestry

Spring is in the air, which means outdoor activity will soon be in full force! Staff is currently planning for another amazing spring and summer season filled with programs and events at the city’s many parks.

RECREATION

The 2024 Summer Rec Connection will be released on April 2 and registration will begin on April 9 (residents) / April 16 (non-residents). Session 1 of swimming lessons registration will begin on April 18.

The Family Aquatic Center will open for the season on Thursday, June 13!

Here’s a sneak peek of some NEW summer program offerings:

Track Club for ages 16+
Brain Boosters Enrichment program for ages 1-5
Dollhouse Dream Dance Camp for ages 5-8
Rhythm Kids Camp for ages 4-7
Pickleball leagues for middle school and high school
Pickleball private lessons
Fishing Basics Clinic
Fitness boot camps at our NEW Wetmore Park shelter
Go-Cart (Community Arts & Recreation Trailer) – mobile fun on wheels, coming to a park near you.
and more!

To view and/or to register for current programs, visit rec.cityofsunprairie.com or stop by the office during business hours, Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

PARKS

As soon as conditions are favorable, the crew will be removing and replacing the existing playground at Cardinal Crest Park.
Active construction continues on the four season shelter and restroom facility at Wetmore Community Park and is on track to be completed late May!
Happy Earth Month! Help the Sun Prairie Park Friends with their Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 20^th to clean up all of the city parks! Sign up can be found here: https://parksfriends.org/earthday/

FORESTRY

Happy Arbor Day, April 24^th! Help celebrate Arbor Day by attending the presentation “10 Actions YOU Can Take This Year to Help Pollinators Thrive!” Each attendee will get a free oak or hazelnut seedling to help local pollinators!
When conditions are favorable, spring street tree planting will begin.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources recommends NOT pruning or cutting oak trees from April through July to reduce the risk of spreading oak wilt disease.
If you have any questions regarding care of street trees, let us know at forestry@cityofsunprairie.com.

Public Safety

Citizens Fire & EMS Academy 2024

We are excited to announce the first-ever Sun Prairie Fire & EMS Citizens Academy! This is an interactive program designed to familiarize the citizens and business owners of our service area with Fire & EMS personnel, equipment, and operations of our departments. The Citizen’s Academy was developed to increase public awareness and create a safer environment; both in the home and the workplace. Finally, it provides a forum for the departments and participants to share information.

This year’s six-week academy will begin on April 17th, 2024, and will meet each Wednesday from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm through May 22nd, 2024.

Each participant will get a program T-shirt, turn-out gear, and the opportunity to participate in hands-on scenarios. These include using hydraulic tools to perform vehicle extrication, riding in the fire trucks and the ladder truck bucket, forcing open doors, using our saws, spraying fire hoses, medical training, and familiarization with the equipment carried on our rigs. Of course, a firefighter will be right beside you the whole time, and all activities are done at the level you feel comfortable with.

Sun Prairie Public Library

*Featured Event*
Love Your Library Gala

Saturday, April 20 from 6-9pm

The Sun Prairie Public Library Foundation is proud to present the Love Your Library Gala on Saturday, April 20th at 6pm.

Join the fun at this hands-on interactive event exploring podcasting, gaming through the decades, a cooking demo with Chef Patrick DePula from Salvatore's, artwork live by Artist in Residence Rebecca Kautz, and a historical storywalk.

Additionally, food, drinks, live music and raffle to support the library expansion project will make this a night to remember! On-site childcare will also be available! Bring your friends!

This is a ticketed event. Tickets are available here: https://www.sunlibfoundation.org/events

Programs for Children and Teens

LEGO® Club

Thursday, April 4 from 2-3:30pm, Community Room

Build with the library’s LEGO® collection! Bring your creativity, but leave your LEGO®s at home! Registration is required. For school-age children only (Kindergarten - 5th grade). Children can be left with the librarian as long as they are registered. We'll take photos of their creations and post it to our Facebook Page.

Teen Gaming and Legos

Friday, April 5 from 4-5:30pm, Community Room

Come play board games, Codenames, Gartic Phone, and Jackbox games. Or build with our massive LEGO collection. Having a device that can access the internet is useful, but not necessary. We will meet in the Library Community Room. This program is for teens in 6th-12th grade.

Puppet Theatre Storytime

Tuesday, April 9 at 9:30 AM

Thursday, April 11 at 6:30 PM

Friday, April 12 at 9:30 or 11:00 AM

Saturday, April 13 at 10:00 AM

Puppet Theatre Storytime will be 25-30 minutes long and will feature many puppets, along with stories, rhymes, and songs. Geared for ages 2-5, but all ages are welcome! Active participation by children and adults is welcome and highly encouraged!

Teen Creativity Club

Tuesday, April 9 from 4-5:30pm, Community Room

Join Melissa for Teen Creativity Club! Our project is TBD!

Registration is recommended, reserve your spot by using the form below. This program is for teens in 6th - 12th grade. Questions, or concerns, please email Melissa at mcarollo@sunlib.org.

Teen Anime Club

Sunday, April 14 from 1:30-4:30pm, Conference Room

Join us to watch some anime! Learn about the manga that inspires it. We are guided by manga-lover and scholar Katarina. This program is for teens in 6th-12th grade.

Gaming with Sammy

Wednesday, April 24 from 4-5pm, Community Room

Play board games, Roblox, Among Us, Gartic Phone, Jackbox Games, and more! This program is for those who are 7-12 years old. If you are able to bring your own device, please have your favorite games installed and ready to play prior to the start of the program. The library does not have devices to lend out. We will be playing both board games and electronic games!

Children can be left with the librarian as long as they are registered. When you register, you'll automatically be signed up for all sessions. Register here. It is okay if you are not able to come to all sessions.

Programs for Adults

Cooking Demo with Huma Siddiqui-Seitz

Thursday, April 4 from 6:30-8 p.m., Community Room

Join Huma Siddiqui-Seitz, cookbook author and founder of White Jasmine, for a cooking demonstration and tasting featuring vegetarian tagine and Mediterranean couscous with green onion, cilantro, and Sajji Masala! White Jasmine is a local company that offers unique spices, cheeses and cooking class.

Space is limited, registration is required. Please register using the form here.

Waste Reduction Series - Think Outside the Bin: Recycle Like a Pro

Wednesday, April 10 from 6:30-8pm, Community Room

Join us to get all of your questions answered about curbside recycling in Sun Prairie, learn about the life cycle of common recyclable materials, and engage with opportunities for recycling outside of the bin. BONUS: the City of Sun Prairie will be unveiling new recycling opportunities during this presentation!

Registration is not required for this event, but you may register on our Events calendar at www.sunlib.org if you would like an email reminder prior to the event.

Singer/Songwriter Series: Xander Anim and Candace Griffin

Tuesday, April 16 from 7-8pm, Community Room

Xander Anim is a Madison-based singer-songwriter. Having pulled influences from the likes of Prince, Jack Johnson, James Hetfield and Kanye West his music ranges from fun and light-hearted to heady and somber. Combing his unique guitar voicing, quick witted rap, and soothing vocals you'll find yourself happily along for the ride.

Alternative and folky, Candace Griffin's music comes straight from the heart. As a songwriter, she takes inspiration from the life around her, and with honest words and acoustic-driven emotions, she puts her listeners right in the moment.

Poetry Month Series

Intention: An Introduction to Poetry

Monday, April 22 from 6-8pm, Conference Room

What makes poetry a unique art form? How do you write a poem? Why do poets break their lines how they do? If you have ever wondered about these questions, this is the space for you!

In this two-hour introductory workshop with instructor Deshawn McKinney, we will discuss what makes something a poem, the meaning behind line breaks, and ways to strengthen our imagery. Participants will leave understanding the importance of being intentional with their writing, how to construct a poem using line breaks, how to get more powerful images, and some writing activities to take home.

Space is limited, registration is required. Please register here.

Poetry Reading and Open Mic @ Beans n Cream Coffee

Saturday, April 27 from 6-7:30pm

Celebrate National Poetry Month with a night of poetry at Beans n Cream Coffee!

This event will start with featured readings from poets Michelle Murray and Shoshauna Shy. Afterwards, we invite the community to share their own poetry or their favorite poems!

The Poetry Month Series sponsored by an anonymous donor.

The Dane County Farmers' Market: History, Recipes, and Community Culture

with Terese Allen

Thursday, April 25 from 6:30-8pm, Community Room

Terese Allen's fourteenth cookbook celebrates of one of the county’s most renowned farmers markets with some 125 recipes that give local ingredients an international spin. Featuring a history of Madison's 50-plus year market, a foreword by James Beard award winner Chef Tory Miller and a gorgeous array of color photos, it's also a warm-hearted salute to the vendors, shoppers and chefs who make the nation's largest producers-only farmers' market an important "third-place" community venue. In this presentation, Allen explores the origins of and stories from the market that revitalized downtown Madison, helped area agriculture flourish and changed the character of food culture in the region.

Registration is not required, but please register on our Events calendar at www.sunlib.org if you would like an email reminder prior to the event.

Sun Prairie Utilities

Hydrant Flushing Season

You may see our crews flushing hydrants in Sun Prairie. Your water’s color and pressure could be impacted.

Please update your email address. We are notifying residents who are near the hydrants with an estimated flushing schedule via email.

Why it’s important:

Fire hydrant flushed by Sun Prairie Utilities water operator.

Flushing hydrants makes sure there is adequate water flow available to firefighters, residents, and businesses. It improves water quality by clearing iron and other mineral deposits from water mains. Crews will also be checking hydrants for any maintenance concerns.

What you can expect:

You may see a drop in water pressure while crews flush a hydrant near you. If the pressure seems low after it is done, we recommend checking your faucet for trapped particles.

Your water may become discolored and it may linger for a few hours. It is not harmful to drink. If this happens, we recommend you run your cold water tap for a few minutes until the water is clear. If it does not turn clear after the first try, wait a few minutes and repeat. Avoid washing clothes until the water clears.

Questions? Find the answer on our frequently asked questions page.

You can also contact us at information@myspu.org or (608) 837-5500.

Spring Roll Challenge

Stop what you're doing and register for RoundTrip's Spring Roll Challenge!

The challenge is open to everyone in Dane County and encourages green choices for everyday trips this Earth Month—walking/rolling, biking, riding the bus, carpooling and vanpooling.

The first 50 to join will receive a FREE slice from Ian's Pizza Madison, a FREE 30-minute pass from BCycle, and a FREE 2-ride Metro Transit card!

All you have to do is join the challenge and log your green trips in RoundTrip all month for chances to win! If you don't already have an account, visit: roundtripgreatermadison.org/ to register for free.

Transit Solutions

Dane County has started to offer shopping trip rides for folks 60+ with the Group Access Service rides. They will pick folks up at their door, take them shopping to the listed places, and back home.

For additional information and/or to make a reservation, please call 608-294-8747

Please note this is not a City of Sun Prairie service.

Affordable Housing Month Events

Be sure to register!

April 13th- First Time Homebuyers Workshop, Click here to sign up.
April 16th- Steps to Stability (Renting 101), Click here to sign up.

Credit Scores & Reports Seminar

In this 60-minute workshop, participants will learn what a credit score is, its importance, and how to read a credit report. You’ll also learn the tools to maintain a healthy credit score and repair bad credit.

By Pam Blattner, AVP Senior Branch Manager & Financial Fitness Course Instructor.

Earth Day Everyday: Tips for Sustainability Success

Join Destination Madison for an exclusive partner event that focuses on the importance of prioritizing sustainability.

Sustain Dane will empower you to implement sustainability initiatives within your organization by sharing tips and resources for adopting a green lifestyle.

Discover all about Destination Madison's newly launched Voluntourism program and learn how you can actively participate and contribute to sustainable practices in the community.

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole, consisting of all 8 seated City Council members, addresses multi-committee issues, reviews the annual budget, manages real estate transactions, engages in long-term planning, has the authority to sanction Council members and officials, and handles matters not assigned to specific committees. Chaired by the Council President, it convenes on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 300 E. Main St., Downtown Sun Prairie, with meeting times occasionally subject to change (refer to the events calendar for specific times).

Check out the latest Committee of the Whole meeting (3/19/2024)

Check out the latest Common Council meeting (3/19/2024)

Sun Prairie Media Center

Sun Prairie Media Center consists of three main entities, each with its own individual mission:

KSUN: The mission of KSUN is to train and nurture Sun Prairie residents in providing original video programming designed to educate, inform, entertain, and enlighten the city of Sun Prairie. KSUN programming should appeal to a wide range of Sun Prairie residents and reflect the diverse nature of the Sun Prairie population.

KIDS-4: The mission of KIDS-4 is to promote media literacy to the youth population of Sun Prairie as well as to teach students all aspects of producing original video and audio content. Students enrolled in KIDS-4 become more discriminating consumers of media, better communicators, better collaborators, and receive vital hands-on experience on a wide range of media-making tools.

103.5 FM The Sun Community Radio: The mission of 103.5 FM The Sun Community Radio is to train and nurture Sun Prairie residents in providing original radio and podcast programming designed to educate, inform, entertain, and enlighten the city of Sun Prairie. 103.5 FM The Sun Community Radio programming should appeal to a wide range of Sun Prairie residents and reflect the diverse nature of the Sun Prairie population.

Check out the abundance of quality community programming at https://www.sunprairiemediacenter.com/