Imagination Center Ribbon Cutting

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Bob Koch

The Imagination Center on ribbon cutting day.

Imagination Center

The city of Madison has a new library and community space on the far east side. The Imagination Center, a collaboration between Madison Public Library and the city’s Parks Division, opens its doors with a ribbon cutting and ceremony at 3 p.m. on Sept. 25, with Wild Rumpus activities at 4 p.m., a screening of Dog Man at 5 p.m., and self-guided tours until 8 p.m. A grand opening celebration takes place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sept. 26, with a nature walk and how-to activities, food carts, music by Forward! Marching Band, and more. Read Kat Hans' preview here, and find more info at madisonpubliclibrary.org.

media release: Save the date for the opening of the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park hosted by Madison Public Library, city of Madison Engineering, Madison Parks and Madison Public Library Foundation.

"We're just two short months from opening the first brand-new Madison library in more than 25 years and we are so excited to introduce this fabulous new facility to the public. The Imagination Center has been years in the making, informed by over a decade of community engagement, and built with partnerships in mind. Bringing library service to this part of the city will have a lasting impact and we're got an amazing staff ready to activate our newest library, led by Supervisor Rosemary Medrano." — Library Director Tana Elias

The Imagination Center at Reindahl Park is a multifunctional indoor-outdoor facility containing both a library and four-season parks pavilion. The building will open on Friday, September 25 following a ribbon cutting ceremony led by library, city, and state officials.

"The far east side is one of the fastest growing parts of Madison, but has lacked access to the services libraries provide to the community for too long. The Imagination Center will fill that service gap and help ensure that all of Madison's neighborhoods continue to thrive. I'm grateful to the councilmembers who championed this project for years, and the staff who have worked hard to make the dream a reality." — Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway

The opening weekend is an opportunity for neighbors and residents to tour the building, get a library card, learn about booking meeting spaces, and celebrate this new addition to the northeast side. The Imagination Center Library includes several spaces that community members can reserve free of charge, including a large community room, three study rooms, and a classroom. Kids, families, and individuals can also enjoy spaces like the tech hub, family hub, quiet reading room, and outdoor patios. 

"Throughout the entire process, one of our governing principles has been engaging with the community. We anticipate the Imagination Center Library becoming a focal point to everyone already using this vibrant Madison park. I can't wait to see what opportunities are created as everyone begins using this transformative space." — Madison Public Library Foundation Executive Director Conor Moran

The neighborhoods near Reindahl Park are growing and diverse. The area's population grew by 11 percent between 2010 and 2022, compared with 3.4 percent statewide. 11% of residents were born outside of the U.S. and 9% of residents lack internet access, which is a major factor in why the Department of Administration gave $4.2 million towards the project as part of their Flexible Facilities Program (FFP). 

"Every Wisconsinite should have access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet, and the Evers Administration has been dedicated to addressing the digital divide in our neighborhoods and communities. We're so excited to play a role in important projects like the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park, knowing this facility will support Madison residents for years to come." — DOA Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld

Given the facility's unique position within Reindahl Park, the opening events will offer several outdoor activities, including a storytime led by Nature Everywhere, food trucks, the unveiling of the public art created by Wisconsin-born artist Nate Page, a movie in the park, and the return of the library's popular child-led play program, the Wild Rumpus.

"We're excited to offer another year-round indoor gathering space with the Imagination Center's park pavilion. The new space offers residents another place to celebrate special moments, and with the accessible playground expected to open in 2027, we anticipate it will become the setting for many lasting memories in Reindahl Park." — Assistant Parks Superintendent CJ Ryan

Ribbon Cutting

Friday, September 25, 3-8pm | Imagination Center at Reindahl Park [1814 Parkside Dr.]

• Ribbon Cutting & Speeches, 3-4pm
• Self-Directed Facility Tour
• Public Art Unveiling 4:30 pm (see more below)
• Wild Rumpus
• Movie in the Park

Grand Opening Bash

Saturday, September 26, 10am – 4pm | Imagination Center at Reindahl Park [1814 Parkside Dr.]

• Self-Directed Facility Tour
• Food Trucks
• Outdoor Storytime
• Art activities
• Wild Rumpus
• Live music
• Giveaways

No registration is required to attend the events. A more detailed schedule will be released closer to the date.  Once open, the Imagination Center Library's operating hours will be: 

• Mon-Fri, 10am – 8pm
• Saturdays, 9am – 5pm

Learn more about the project online at madpl.org/imaginationcenter

The city of Madison will dedicate The Passage of Being, a new public art installation by artist Nate Page, at 4:30pm on Friday, September 25, 2026, at the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park, 1814 Parkside Dr, Madison WI. The public is invited to attend the dedication as part of the grand-opening ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new library and park pavilion. 

The Passage of Being was selected by the Madison Arts Commission in partnership with the Parks Division and Madison Public Library through a robust public engagement process. That process included a community survey completed by more than 1,200 residents, as well as direct engagement with students at Sandburg Elementary School, who took part in classroom workshops with library arts staff as part of the project. 

The Passage of Being has a two-sided presence. When seen from the Imagination Center, the front represents the strength of community opening a pathway toward nature. The community is represented by the layered planes of color, which are drawn from the national flags of prominent immigrant communities in Northeast Madison. On the reflective side, the sculpture opens outward, reflecting the surrounding park and its activity onto the library's architecture. The sculpture measures approximately 16 feet high, 10 feet wide, and 30 inches deep. It stands tall in the parkland immediately behind the Imagination Center. 

The project was funded through the City's Percent for Art program, which dedicates 1% of eligible construction budgets to public art, as part of the overall construction of the Imagination Center. Foundation construction services provided by Seven Generation Contractors and fabrication by Gallas Metalworks.  

Members of the public are encouraged to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony and dedication to celebrate the opening of the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park and view Passage of Being in person.