July 2024
Sun Prairie Transforms into 'FUN Prairie' for July!
For the fourth consecutive year, Sun Prairie will transform into 'FUN Prairie' for the entire month of July, led by the Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department (SPPRFD) in organizing a month filled with fun activities. This name change, proclaimed by Mayor Esser, underscores the City's dedication to promoting fun in the community and is an engaging way to honor National Parks and Recreation Month. The community is invited to join in on the excitement and kick off the celebration with a month-long game of BINGO.
Beginning Monday, July 1, community members can pick up bingo sheets listing activities and events scheduled throughout the month, aiming to participate in as many as possible. Sheets are available for pickup at several locations including the Westside Community Services Building, City Hall, the Sun Prairie Public Library, the Sun Prairie Historical Museum, and the Bank of Sun Prairie. Cards can be completed individually or as a family, with prizes awarded to those who complete a card. Additionally, a full calendar of free or low-cost activities will be available online and posted throughout the community by July 1.
For a full list of events, information on where to get a free Fun Prairie yard sign, and more details about the month-long celebration, please visit https://cityofsunprairie.com/1425/Fun-Prairie-2024.
For more information, contact Kristin Grissom at kgrissom@cityofsunprairie.com or (608) 837-3449.
Historical Library & Museum Building Turns 100!
Join us on Saturday, July 13, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Sun Prairie Historic Library & Museum located at 115 E. Main St., Sun Prairie, WI 53590, as we celebrate a monumental occasion. The Sun Prairie Historical Museum Building turns 100 years old, and admission is free for all. Come and join the festivities in honor of this historic landmark!
Check out the interview with Sunshine Anderson, Museum Programming & Design Coordinator, for additional details!
Sun Prairie Public Library Expansion Update
The City is excited to report significant progress on the Sun Prairie Library Expansion and Renovation Project! The official Groundbreaking Ceremony kicked off on Tuesday, June 11, marking a pivotal moment for the Sun Prairie Public Library (SPPL) as it embarks on its "Next Chapter". Community leaders and stakeholders joined together to celebrate this milestone and share their vision for the library's future.
Construction activities commenced during the week of June 4, with a focus on crucial on-site preparations. These include site clearing, installation of temporary roads and fencing, and mobilization of equipment. Foundation work has begun, accompanied by the demolition of the youth services porch and installation of temporary walls.
During this phase, access to the Sun Prairie Media Center is now through the Library and Library Community Room. For more detailed updates and information about the project, please visit Sun Prairie Public Library Expansion Project.
Stay tuned for further updates!
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant
he City of Sun Prairie has secured funding through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP).
This funding initiative aims to significantly reduce energy consumption, curb emissions, and promote energy efficiency within the community. Sun Prairie is among over 2,700 eligible entities nationwide—including states, territories, local governments, and tribes—receiving a share of more than $430 million in formula funding. These funds are designed to address the specific clean energy requirements of communities serving more than 250 million Americans.
For additional details, check out the recorded interview with Rose Daily, Sustainability Coordinator.
Capital Improvement Plan Draft Presented
On Tuesday, June 18, a draft of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) was proposed to Council at the Committee of the Whole Meeting.
The CIP is the City's Ten-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for fiscal years 2025-2034 outlines strategic investments essential to achieving the City’s objectives. This document aims to foster dialogue on how best to allocate limited resources toward capital projects that meet residents’ needs and uphold city standards. Capital investments play a vital role in maintaining our city’s physical infrastructure and ensuring essential facilities and services for our citizens. They contribute to safe neighborhoods, well-maintained transportation networks, adequate wastewater treatment capacity, ample parks, and high-quality recreation facilities.
To learn more, please go to https://cityofsunprairie.com/DocumentCenter/View/14996/2025-2034-CIP-Final-Document
Administration
2025 Sustainability Fair
In 2025, the City of Sun Prairie will host its inaugural city-wide Sustainability Fair, which will be a one-day event aimed at providing community members of all ages with the opportunity to engage with sustainability, connect with local resources, and learn from each other. The fair will be held on a Saturday in late summer of 2025 in one of Sun Prairie’s local parks. The fair is expected to be 100% funded by sponsorships and booth sales. Proposed fair features include:
- EV & alternative fuel vehicle showcase
- Food trucks serving low impact foods
- Exhibitor space for non-profits, community organizations, school groups, businesses, and vendors
- Hands-on activities and demonstrations
- Live music
- Zero-waste event
If you're interested in learning more and potentially serving on the planning team, please contact Rose Daily, Sustainability Coordinator, via email at rdaily@cityofsunprairie.com
Clerk's Office
Voter Registration
The remaining elections are:
August 13, 2024 – Partisan Primary
November 5, 2024 – General Election
You may also request absentee ballots for the remaining elections this year. Simply to go: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/
Absentee Ballots
Absentee ballots are on their way for the Partisan Primary being held August 13, 2024. While most people want to know what is on their ballot, in this election, it is important to understand what type of election this is.
This is the Partisan Primary which is held every other year on even numbered years. In the August Primary, each political party narrows down its candidates for the November ballot. For this election, you may vote for candidates in only one political party of your choice. Wisconsin has run its Fall primary elections this way since the early 1900s.
In Wisconsin, your voter registration is not associated with a political party. The Clerk’s Office doesn’t know which party you will choose. You vote on a secret ballot. Essentially, that means that all political party’s ballots are together on one piece of paper…however, you can only vote in ONE political party’s primary.
To mark your ballot:
1. Choose one party in the party preference section at the top of your ballot.
2. Find that party’s section on the ballot.
3. Select the individual candidates of your choice within that party only.
To see what’s on your ballot, go to: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/Whats-On-My-Ballot
Community Development
Downtown Sun Prairie is excited to announce their schedule for this year’s Streets of Sun Prairie. The Streets of Sun Prairie is a family-friendly event series on Thursday evenings in Downtown Sun Prairie.
- Thursday, July 25, 5-9pm – Night Market
- Thursday, August 8, 5-7pm – Classic Cars
Follow Downtown Sun Prairie on Facebook and Instagram for event information and updates.
Parks, Recreation and Forestry
FUN Prairie in July!
Summer is heating up, but things are about to get a whole lot cooler in Sun Prairie—soon to be known as FUN Prairie! As part of our summer celebration, the Mayor will ceremoniously change the city's name for the entire month of July. The Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department has a sizzling lineup of events that will keep you entertained and active all season long. From lively concerts in the park to our Olympic-themed Adult Recess and the epic yet short Fun Prairie Fun Run, there’s something for everyone. Dive into the fun and make this summer unforgettable in FUN Prairie! For more information about all of our programs and events, please visit rec.cityofsunprairie.com
Mark Your Calendars!
- The GO-CART (Community Arts & Recreation Trailer) is hitting the road this summer! Get ready Sun Prairie because the GO-CART is coming to a park near you! We'll be "rollin' out" on Tuesday, June 11th for our first Concert in the Park and Summer Kickoff at Wetmore Park. We have more than 30 dates on the calendar for this summer! Whether you're into music & arts with our program partner, Prairie Music & Arts, or if sports and active play are more your thing, the GO-CART will have it all! Staff will be on-site at each of the scheduled dates to implement and supervise activities. For more information and to view the GO-CART schedule, check out the link: https://www.cityofsunprairie.com/1802/Go-Cart-Community-Arts-Recreation-Traile
- Concerts in the Park season is upon us! We kicked off the season on Tuesday, June 11 with our very first concert! Don’t worry if you missed it, we have a summer full of great live music!
o Tuesday, July 9 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm: Heatwave at Wetmore Park
o Tuesday, July 23 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm: Gin Mill Hollow at Wetmore Park. Join us for Bike to the Concert Night & Volunteer Appreciation Night!
Pop-Up Beer Gardens with Karben4 (5:00 – 8:00 pm)
o Wednesday, July 17 at the Sun Prairie Dog Park
o Wednesday, August 21 at Wetmore Park
o Wednesday, September 18 at Wyndham Hills Park
- Adult Recess – Mark Your Calendar! For those 21 and over, our Olympic-themed Adult Recess event will take place on July 19 at Wetmore Park from 6-9 pm.
- Mark your calendars for the Fun Prairie Fun Run on July 27 with race options to suit everyone: a 0.05K dash, a 5K run/walk, and a mile run/walk. Celebrate with music, food trucks, and family-friendly activities post-race.
Register online at https://www.adventuresignup.com/Race/WI/SunPrairie/RuntheParks by July 8 to secure your t-shirt size. All proceeds benefit the PRF Scholarship Program. Join us for a season of community, fitness, and fun!
Public Safety
Heat Waves and Extreme Heat Conditions
Attention, Sun Prairie community! As temperatures increase, the City of Sun Prairie is committed to ensuring your safety and well-being. We understand the importance of staying cool and hydrated during extreme heat.
Public Works
YARD WASTE COLLECTION
Brush collection is scheduled for today, July 1! Please remember to separate your yard waste and leaves from brush. Brush includes woody material from trees, shrubs, or bushes, while yard waste encompasses leaves, weeds, garden trimmings, and plant debris.
Here are the collection dates for 2024:
Brush Collection Weeks:
-Monday, July 1
-Monday, August 5
-Tuesday, September 3
-Monday, October 7
-Monday, October 28
Yard Waste Collection Weeks:
-Monday, November 4
-Monday, November 25
Please note that once a neighborhood has been collected, crews will not return until the next scheduled collection. If your items have not been picked up within one week, please call Public Works at 608-837-3050 to report a missed collection.
For information, please click here.
Sun Prairie Historical Library & 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:
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.
New Museum Exhibition!
The Museum has returned to expanded open hours and is open Wednesday – Saturday, 11:00am - 4:00pm. 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!
Going Public with the Past
Museum staff and volunteers continue to add new records to our Online Collections Database each month. Visit https://sunprairie.catalogaccess.com/ to see what records have been added and order historic images.
Sun Prairie Utilities
SPU Pool Day!
Sun Prairie Utilities will be sponsoring a pool day at the Family Aquatic Center on Saturday, July 20! The event allows free day passes during open swim for the first 100 guests. Swimmers can enjoy concessions, the big slide, and so much more. Don’t forget sunscreen!
Fourth of July Closings
City buildings will be closed to the public on Thursday, July 4 for Independence Day.
If emergency services are needed, please contact the Sun Prairie Police Department at 608-837-7336 or 911.
Sunshine Place and Sun Prairie Food Pantry Closing
Ride with SPARC (Sun Prairie Acton Resource Coalition)
2024 Summer Reading Program
Programa de Lectura de Verano 2024
Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce Grand Re-Opening
Join the Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce in celebrating the Grand Re-Opening of our renovated Chamber of Commerce office! Get a first-hand look at our modern space, network with community members, and enjoy light snacks!
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