Yahara Lakes 101: Back to the Beach

As part of “Back to the Beach,” Clean Lakes Alliance has partnered with the City of Madison Parks Division to foster increased attention and care for our community’s vibrant public beaches. We invite you to learn more about this partnership and exciting projects underway from James Tye, our Executive Director, and Eric Knepp, Madison Parks Superintendent. 

We will also hear from the top three prize winners of the Reimagining Warner Beach design contest! Adam Sodersten, our Director of Marketing and Development, will facilitate an engaging panel discussion with the designers to learn more about their inspiration and plans for improving water quality, sustainability, community access, and placemaking to promote community health, happiness and wellbeing at Warner Beach!

Thank you to the Madison Community Foundation 75th Anniversary Year of Giving grant for making “Back to the Beach” possible!

About the speakers

Susan Olmsted is a registered architect & landscape architect at MSR Design of Minneapolis, MN and part of the 1st place winning team for Reimagining Warner Beach. Susan has led planning, design, and restoration projects involving some of America’s most treasured places, including the restoration of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in Yosemite National Park.

Carrie Sanders is a faculty member and instructor with Edgewood College's Social Innovation and Sustainability Leadership Program, which took 2nd place for its "The Great 58" concept. Carrie is the founder of Hope Community Capital and the Director of Community and Economic Development at the Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership, with master's degree in City Planning from MIT. 

Joe Porter is a landscape architect with Saiki Designs of Madison, WI, which earned 3rd place with its "Warner Beach Case Study in Urban Ecotones." Joe is inspired by how exterior spaces can facilitate social interactions and make a lasting impression on people who use them. Joe has worked on projects across North America and integrates his love of art, science and nature into his work.

Eric Knepp is the superintendent of the City of Madison Parks Division. In his role, Eric is responsible for developing policies and planning, coordinating, organizing, and directing all parks programs, activities and operations. He has worked for the city since 2006 and has previously served as administrative, financial and assistant superintendent.

About the winning teams

1st Place ($10,000 award)
MSR Design of Minneapolis, MN with “The Living Edge” 
Members: Susan Olmsted, Patrick Lynch, Traci Lesneski and Paul Mellblom

2nd Place ($4,000 award)
Edgewood College Social Innovation and Sustainability Leadership Program; Elizabeth Cwik AIA, BWZ Architects; David Danforth, Danforth Illustration with “The Great 58” 
Members: Elizabeth Cwik (AIA, BWZ Architects), David Danforth (Danforth Illustrations), Johanna Golden, Halie Tenor, Nyra Jordan, Michael Weber, Jay White, Amanda Wilson, Carrie Sanders (instructor)

3rd place ($1,000 award)
Saiki Design of Madison, WI with “Warner Beach – A Case Study in Urban Ecotones” 
Members: Joe Porter and Tom Martin

About the series

Yahara Lakes 101 is a series of educational events open to the public and a great chance for residents to learn more about the science behind the issues that affect our lakes. Each month we feature a different expert to make the science accessible and interesting to non-technical audiences.

Yahara Lakes 101 is produced in partnership with the UW-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, with hosting sponsor The Edgewater, presenting sponsor First Weber Group, supporting sponsor The Evjue Foundation, and media sponsor The Isthmus.

Yahara 101 is held indoors at The Edgewater. Come at 7:30 a.m. for a meet-and-greet and to enjoy your coffee, pastries, and fruit, with time to eat and chat on the lakeview patio, weather-permitting. The program begins at 8 a.m., and class is dismissed by 9 a.m.

If you already are a Friend of Clean Lakes (minimum $35 donation/year), then admission is free. Become a Friend today. If you are not a Friend yet, admission is $10 per event. Registration for each event is requested for all attendees. Special event parking will be available at The Edgewater.