UW South Madison Partnership Community Celebration

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Bryce Richter / UW–Madison

Bucky Badger tossing a cube to a child.

UW mascot Bucky Badger plays with a group of children during the 2019 UW South Madison Partnership Community Celebration.

Been wondering about the UW-Madison's outpost south of the main campus on Park Street? The return of the annual Community Celebration is a good time to explore the South Madison Partnership's facility at the Village on Park, which includes classrooms, a computer lab, a kitchenette, and meeting spaces open to the community. The event includes visits by Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin and Bucky Badger, a photograph exhibit by Hedi Rudd and new murals by Lilada Gee, games and activities for all ages, food, and DJ music provided by Odyssey Project student Mark Espanol.

press release: All members of the community are invited to join the UW South Madison Partnership (SMP) for its third Community Celebration on Thursday, August 25.

The free, family-friendly event, to be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the SMP space at the Village on Park, 2238 S. Park St., is open to all. The celebration will feature a complimentary food truck, music, games, face-painting, and a visit from both Bucky Badger and UW–Madison’s new chancellor, Jennifer Mnookin.

The event will showcase new murals by local artist Lilada Gee and an exhibit of photos of South Madison by local photographer Hedi Rudd. Mark Espanol, current Odyssey Project student and alumnus of Odyssey Beyond Bars, will DJ the celebration live.

Chancellor Mnookin, Alder Sheri Carter, Judge Everett Mitchell, and Dr. Fabu Carter are scheduled to make remarks at 4:30 pm. Food will be available by the time Bucky arrives at 5:30 pm.

“The relationship between UW–Madison and our surrounding community continues to grow and deepen,” says Brenda González, UW–Madison’s Director of Community Relations. “We’re excited to celebrate the South Madison Partnership’s bigger, better space and to finally welcome everyone inside to see what’s happening.”

This will be the first Community Celebration held since SMP moved into its new, larger space—four times the size of its prior office—in 2020. The UW South Madison Partnership opened in 2015 to connect UW–Madison with an area of the city whose residents historically have had less access to university programs and resources.

Individuals and groups can reserve rooms for a variety of meetings and activities in the 12,902 square foot space. Fifteen community partner organizations, six UW schools and colleges, and eight UW divisions, centers and institutes use the space, which averages 1300 visits per month. Ongoing programs include classroom education, a neighborhood law clinic, exercise classes, and much more.

Find out more about the UW South Madison Partnership here, and contact UW–Madison Community Relations staff with any questions.