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- April 21, 2022
April 21, 2022
Administration
Earth Month in Sun Prairie!
The City of Sun Prairie will be recognizing Earth Day by transforming it into an extended timeframe shared by April and May filled with a variety of educational events, community activities, and different sustainability initiatives. The community will have many opportunities to not only protect and preserve local spaces but also build relationships while engaging in volunteer activities. Although there are many items on the schedule throughout this season, community members are encouraged to pay special attention to a few upcoming opportunities.
Food Waste Warriors Presentations
Two student-led presentations will be available to the community that focus on the basics of backyard composting. Students from Patrick Marsh Middle School will be presenting on how wasted food affects the community through their school action plan. They will then share home composting best practices so that attendees can become a food waste warrior too. This will include the do's and don'ts of composting, along with bin placement and management throughout the year. Details for the following presentations include:
- Food Waste Warriors Presentation #2 (virtual) – Friday, April 22 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom o Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83630180781?pwd=bVlBcis3aGxtbmpvQksycU5teElldz09
This educational programming is being offered in collaboration with the Sun Prairie Area School District and the Sun Prairie Public Library.
Composting Bin Sale
In partnership with Recycling Connections, a nonprofit that provides resources on waste reduction, recycling, and resource conversation, the City will be selling compost bins at a discounted rate of $60. Bins will be available for sale mid-April and pick-up will be on Saturday, May 7 in the parking lot of City Hall at 300 East Main Street. For individuals interested in purchasing a bin, please go here: https://www.recyclingconnections.org/sunprairie
No Mow May
This conservation initiative encourages property owners to reduce mowing practices during May as a way to provide early season foraging resources for pollinators that emerge in the spring. Bees are an essential part of ecosystems and the City wishes to increase pollinator-friendly habitat by encouraging pollinator-friendly lawn-care practices, empowering citizens to make a direct and meaningful impact on their own properties. On Tuesday, March 29, City Council adopted a resolution designating the month of May as “No Mow May”.
The City has temporarily suspended the enforcement of Chapter 8.36 – Noxious Weeds, regulation of length of lawn and grasses, or any other section that regulates the length of grass to allow pollinator species to emerge and early flowering plants to establish, which may result in ground-cover exceeding established ordinance height of 8-inches.
As part of the pilot program, residential properties are to participate and must follow all pilot guidelines including advanced registration with the City. Organizations and businesses interested in participating will be considered on a case-by-case basis due to the significant land area these entities may manage. Once May has ended, enforcement of Chapter 8.36 – Noxious Weeds will resume on Wednesday, June 1.
Get Involved!
Earth Month is intended to bring the entire community together and collectively take steps in making Sun Prairie a more sustainable place for all. This has been made possible by collaboration from city staff Administration and the Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to partner with my colleagues and different organizations to offer such a variety of events and initiatives for the community to participate in,” said Scott Semroc, Sustainability Coordinator.
Residents and organizations can learn more about the “No Mow May” initiative and register their property at https://form.jotform.com/220884700591154.
To review the schedule of all the different activities taking place, please visit www.cityofsunprairie.com/2022EarthMonth.
For any specific questions or comments on Earth Month, please contact Scott via email at ssemroc@cityofsunprairie.com or Cindy Burtley, Parks and Forestry Division Manager, at cburtley@cityofsunprairie.com.
Yard Signs! 
For households participating in No Mow May, yard signs are available for pick up! There is a limited quantity of 250 available with one sign per household. We ask participants to hold on to the sign and reuse it for every year this initiative takes place.
Yard signs are now available for pickup at the Parks, Recreation, and Forestry (PRF) Department office - 2598 W Main St #2, Sun Prairie, WI 53590 (upstairs of the Westside Building). You can pick them up during business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Only on Friday, May 6, the PRF Department will stay open until 7 p.m. for individuals who need more time to pick up signs.
Annual City-Wide Garage Sale
Whereas Saturday is the main sale day, many sales also occur on Thursday/Friday and some also occur on Wednesday, April 27. The sale time is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Community Development
We've Wrapped It Up!
The City of Sun Prairie embarked on a housing needs assessment, working with The Lakota Group, a Chicago-based urban planning and design firm, alongside SB Friedman, a housing and economic development consulting firm. This housing study was purposed to provide City staff, elected officials, and the Sun Prairie community a better understanding of the housing market, housing challenges, and current and future unmet needs. Housing for All considered ways to manage change and balance community needs, while embracing the Sun Prairie history and heritage moving forward, to ensure there are housing opportunities for all. After a year long process, the final report is ready to be reviewed here.
Branding Initiative
Our Tourism Commission is exploring what makes our community unique and distinct from other parts of Wisconsin through a branding study. We want the input and insight from our Sun Prairie community about what makes us unique and distinguished. Our ears are open to everyone in our community who is willing to share their thoughts! To guide us in these efforts, we are collaborating with North Star Place Branding + Marketing, a national leader in community branding.
For more on the branding initiative, you can go to brandingsunprairie.com. You can register to receive an email reminder when that survey is available. To learn more about North Star, please visit NorthStarIdeas.com.
Artful Wine Walk is Back This Spring!
Artful Wine Walk is back this spring! Join the Downtown Sun Prairie Business Improvement District on Thursday, May 5 5-8:30 PM and sample wine at 30 local businesses. Participating businesses will be hosting exclusive sales, specials, entertainment, and appetizers. Standard tickets are $35 and designated driver tickets are $10. Purchase tickets online or the day-of the event at the Bank of Sun Prairie!
artfulwinewalk2022.eventbrite.com
Parks, Recreation and Forestry
Recreation Department
The Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation & Forestry office is open: Monday – Friday 8:00am-4:30pm and available by phone at (608) 837-3449 Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm, by email at rec@cityofsunprairie.com.
Announcements:
Summer Rec Guide out now!
Registration opens for Residents on April 5th, Non-Residents on April 12th
Online Guide available now - https://view.flipdocs.com/?ID=10018939_379633
Family Aquatic Center Guide out Now
Registration opens for Residents on April 14th, Non-Residents on April 19th
Online Guide available now - https://view.flipdocs.com/?ID=10018939_769193
Winter/Spring Guide out now!
Register today! - rec.cityofsunprairie.com
Online Guide available here - https://view.flipdocs.com/?ID=10018939_143015
We’re Hiring – Join our Team!
Come have the BEST SUMMER EVER with team PRF.
For a full list of our summer job openings visit: governmentjobs.com/careers/SunPrairieWI
Important Dates!
“Recreation is for Everyone” Scholarship form!
New in 2022! – Fitness Flex Pass & Fitness “Try it” Week
Not sure what fitness class is right for you? Enjoy the flexibility to try them all with our new Fit Flex Pass. Click here to purchase a 5 or 10 class pass, Fit Flex Pass - Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation & Forestry (cityofsunprairie.com), passes never expire!
American Red Cross Classes:
Did you know that Sun Prairie Parks Recreation & Forestry now offers Red Cross training? Check out this informational flyer for more!
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Jurassic Parks 5K & 8K Run!
Register for the FIRST EVER Jurassic Parks 5K/8K/Dog Jog/FREE Kids Dino Dash! There is something for the whole family.
Join Parker N. Rex, our official mascot, on May 7th to run through the parks on our trail system! Run through 2 parks when you sign up for the 5K and three parks when you sign up for the 8K!
Register at https://cityofsunprairie.com/jurassicparksrun
Registration includes shirt, race bib, and goodie bag.
Packet Pick Up and Pre-Registration: May 6th 8:30-7:00 PM at the Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Office, 2598 West Main Street, Sun Prairie, WI 53590 or morning of the race at Stoneridge Estates Park starting at 7 AM
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Games, Art, Tag, and Outdoor Recreation (G.A.T.O.R.)
Registration Ends: 05/06/2022
School’s out for SPASD, but class is in session at the Westside Community Services Building. Join us for a day off school program. Spring is here! Time to grab your friends for a fun filled day with group games, art projects and other outdoor activities. Tennis shoes are required. Be sure to dress for the weather, it’s Wisconsin after all. We will provide a Free Hour of Fun in between AM and PM sessions for anyone that wants to pick up late, drop off early, or stay for both sessions. Select this option when registering to attend.
American Red Cross Babysitter Training – 4/30 American Red Cross Babysitter Training – 5/21
Registration Ends: 04/25/2022 Registration Ends: 5/16/2022
This training provides kids, ages 11-15, with the information and skills necesary to provide safe and responsible care in the absence of parents/guardians. This training will also help participants develop skills in leadership, professionalism, basic care, safety, safe play and first aid.
All sessions cover the same material.
Please bring a sack lunch.
TGIT – Thank Goodness it’s Thursday – Early-Release After School Program
TGIT – Creekside Elementary TGIT – Meadowview Elementary
Registration Ends: 4/28/2022
Join us every early-release day for an afternoon of action-packed activities. Each session will feature a healthy balance of academic, recreation and social activities that support educational achievement and personal growth. On most days of the program participants will rotate through a variety of age-appropriate games, activities and crafts that revolve around the monthly theme. Participants will have time carved out to complete homework and/or silently read. An afterschool snack will be provided.
These programs are open to any Sun Prairie Area School District students, regardless of the school they attend. However, no transportation is provided to the sites at this time.
Scholarships are available for this program. For more information and to apply visit rec.cityofsunprairie.com or call 608-837-3449.
This month's theme: May the Forest Be With You
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Monday Night Madness & Art Programs
Registration Ends: 05/09/2022
Come play in the park! Tots will enjoy theme-based games and activities, create art and make new friends. Tot Lot will be led by fun, friendly staff. Tennis shoes are required and be sure to dress for the weather. Please note: Children must be toilet trained to participate in this program.
Cootie Catchers & Fortune Tellers (Ages 5-8) Cootie Catchers & Fortune Tellers (Ages 5-8)
Registration Ends: 05/02/2022
Learn the art of origami by creating your own folded fortune teller! Using a variety of materials including professional oil based markers, stickers, gelly roll pens and more. Create a one of a kind fortune teller to help your friends decide their fate! A fun and silly class for students of all ages.
Arts & Crafts – Mother’s Day Bouquets
Registration Ends: 04/28/2022
Moms are SUPERHEROS - Let’s give them a super special hand crafted bouquet for Mother’s Day! Using various art materials like recycled tine cans, pipe cleaners, glitter stickers and more. We’ll create our own flower vases and flowers for mom!
Listen to Your Art – AM Session Listen to Your Art – PM Session
Registration Ends: 05/06/2022
Join Ms. Jessica from Jessica’s Art Studio on these days off of school for hours of creativity! You will also learn about famous artists and popular art methods such as drawing, painting, sculpture, clay exploration and more.
Wear “Art Clothes” and be prepared to get messy. It is recommended to bring an Art Bag with you to take your projects home at the end of the day. Each day will explore entirely new projects than the day before, so signing up for the whole week means TONS of new unique art projects.
We will provide a Free Hour of Fun in between AM and PM School's Out sessions for anyone that wants to pick up late, drop off early, or stay for both sessions. Select this option when registering to attend.
Public Safety
Coffee With A Cop!
You can stop and have coffee with a cop! This will be held at different locations throughout Sun Prairie. Community members interested in this opportunity to connect with officers can go to the Sun Prairie Police Department Facebook account and then follow the event page for updates.
- The mission of Coffee With A Cop is to break down barriers between police officers and the citizens they serve by removing agendas and allowing opportunities to ask questions, voice concerns, and get to know officers in your neighborhood. The next sessions will be:
- Monday, April 25 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at MOKA Coffee| 900 Windsor Street, Sun Prairie, WI 53590.
Changes in date and time may occur due to police-related circumstances. You can stay connected by following updates posted from Facebook and Twitter on the Sun Prairie Police Department's webpage. Just click here!
POLICE Baumgartner End of Probation
The Sun Prairie Police Department would like to recognize Officer Blaine Baumgartner for completing his 18-month probationary period. Officer Baumgartner was hired on October 12th, 2020, and his probationary period officially ended on April 12th, 2022.
Thank you for your service and your continued hard work Blaine!
2022 National Public Safety Telecommunications Week
The Sun Prairie Police Department joins the law enforcement profession to celebrate the 2022 National Public Safety Telecommunications week (April 10-16). This time is designated to honor the men and women that have dedicated their lives to public safety communication and make daily personal sacrifices for this professional commitment.
Communication professionals are hidden behind the phones and radios that are used to coordinate our emergency responses on a daily basis. These people are key components in the successes of police, fire, and emergency medical service responses. Both the public and emergency responders rely heavily on the skills, abilities, and commitment level of these professionals in order to carry out the public safety mission.
Emergency call taking and dispatching is a unique skill set that is not easily mastered. It comes with a great deal of stress and requires unconditional dedication. Communication professionals must adapt quickly and wear many hats to be successful. They must accept the emotional roller coaster that will come with each day they arrive at work. Their ability to stand steady in the face of situations they cannot control is unparalleled.
The Sun Prairie Police Department is fortunate to have a communications staff that demonstrates all of these traits. Our staff is a truly dedicated group of people that are committed to our profession, department vision, mission, and core values.
Our communicators remain focused on providing high level service to our staff as partners in our problem-solving efforts. A sincere thank you goes out to each of our team members. We move forward confidently with a strong team of communicators that represent the thin gold line that is crucial in our policing efforts.
The department would like to take this time to recognize and honor the outstanding group of professionals that make up our communication center. We are very fortunate to work with each one of them as police professionals and members of our department team.
“The thin gold line represents those who are rarely seen but mostly are heard. The calm voice in the dark night. The golden glue that holds it all together.”
Please take time to recognize our staff throughout the week.
Nick Hagen * Chris Dauck * Cassie Fleischman * Ashley Gullixson
Tom Engen * Jared Bruttig (LTE) * Nieves Rios Sanchez * Sarah Soderholm
Sun Prairie Historical Museum
Population Patchwork
The Sun Prairie Historical Museum needs your help promoting a new, room-wide Museum Exhibit, that we hope will not only inspire community pride, but also encourage our citizens to actively participate in the history of our city. Museum staff and volunteers are attempting to weave the stories of Sun Prairie through a time-line highlighting important moments that have contributed to our city’s remarkable population growth. Throughout the season, we will be asking residents of Sun Prairie to lend their family name to this unique community artwork.
The attached concept drawing should help you visualize a large population graph stitched into a canvas, hanging on the left wall. Different colored yarns, leading from specific moments in our timeline, stretching across the room to various displays highlighting a pivotal moment, person, or business that improved our collective space. We are building displays on the train depot that turned our little crossroads into a center of commerce in the 1850s, Truax Air Force Base building community housing that immediately doubled our population in the 1960s, and the Hwy 151 Bypass that solidified our status as a bedroom community in the 1990s. In the center of the attached concept drawing, is a display on the Groundhog Capital, which in the 1950s, put our little community on the national stage when two senators were caught on the congressional record, arguing over which groundhog is more accurate.
I’m most excited about the interactive aspect of this exhibit. We will be asking community members to write their family name on one side of a piece of fabric and the year their family name came to Sun Prairie on the other side. Every few weeks, volunteers will stitch these names into the fabric, so the population details will grow over time, as will the beauty of this exhibit.
The title of this Exhibit is “Population Patchwork”. With the understanding that there are always more stories and more perspectives to add. We hope to continue adding displays and yarn connections throughout the season. We encourage you to look at our list of pivotal moments and make suggestions or, even better, write a short piece to share. This room-wide Museum Exhibit is about our community, wouldn’t it be great if our community helped build it!
The Sun Prairie Historical Museum opens Saturday, May 7, 2022.
Regular open hours: Wed – Sat (11a-4p)
Admission is free, ample parking in the rear, exterior wheelchair lift on west-side of building.
For any questions, please reach out to Museum@cityofsunprairie.com.
Sun Prairie Media Center
SPOTS STILL OPEN IN MEDIA CENTER’S 2022 SUMMER WORKSHOPS!
You’re in luck . . . there is still room in the Sun Prairie Media Center summer workshops! Some workshops have filled, but there are plenty of great opportunities left to get your kids involved in the Media Center this summer!
If you know of someone aged 9-14 who loves to make videos, movies, or even podcas ts and wants help taking their creativity to the next level, then you need to sign them up for these workshops!
Online registration is open now and will close on June 10. But hurry – these classes are filling fast! More information and online registration is available at kids4.tv. Available workshops include:
- Adventures in Sports Production, June 20-23
- Adventures in Movie Making, Session 1, June 20-23
- Adventures in Reporting, July 18-21
- Adventures in Podcasting, July 25-26
- Adventures in Live Television, July 27-28
These workshops are designed for budding journalists, filmmakers, actors, and social media influencers who want a fun and creative way to express themselves. Participants will be introduced to media production in a fun, hands-on learning environment that is conveniently located – the Media Center is in the same building as the public library!
Discounted rates for SPMC members are available. More information on memberships is available at sunprairiemediacenter.com/memberships. Scholarships are also available.
Please contact Mara Trusty at mtrusty@cityofsunprairie.com with any questions.
See you at the Media Center this summer!
Sun Prairie Public Library
Indoor Book Returns – Monday, April 25th-Friday, April 29th
From April 25th-29th, the indoor book return will be out of service. Instead, bins will be provided inside for all indoor returns. We ask that you help us by sorting your own items: Sun Prairie items into one bin, all other library items into another bin. Staff will manually sort from there, likely causing some short delay in items returning to the shelf.
First installed in 2011, our current book sorter is at “end of life” and a new machine will be installed during that week. When the new machine is installed, you will notice an updated return slot inside the building. Please ask staff for help if you have questions! Thank you for your patience.
Children’s & Teen Services
Storytimes are in full swing, we are offering both virtual and in-person options. Please keep an eye on the website and events calendar for exact days and times! We’re offering a mix of virtual and in-person programs, including: Young Explorers Club, Lego Club, Family Fun, Gaming with Sammy, Tween Book Club, Teen Creativity Club, Teen Book Club, Teen Gaming and more! Visit https://www.sunprairiepubliclibrary.org/sppl-kids-page for more information.
Thursday, April 28 2:30-4 p.m.
Library Community Room
Geared for those in K-5, but all ages are welcome! We'll be making ID badges, practicing our aiming skills, making a disguise, and testing our sleuthing skills. Drop in to the Community Room any time between 2:30 - 4:00 PM.
Adult Services
Thursday, April 7, 14 & 21 2:30-3:15 p.m.
Discover the ease and stabilization that a simple chair can provide when practicing stretches and traditional yoga poses for 45 minutes in the comfort of your own home! The chair serves as a support to your foundation, allowing you to increase mobility, decrease stress, and minimize aches and pains. You are invited to deepen your relationship to your body, stabilize your mind, and uplift your spirit to experience an overall sense of ease. These classes are appropriate for all fitness levels. Facilitated by certified yoga instructor and Reiki practitioner, Megan Reed. This is a three week series and you may register for any session that suits your schedule, be it one, two, or all three! Beginner's welcome anytime! This program will be held via Zoom. To receive the Zoom log in information, please register on the Events Calendar at https://sunprairie.librarymarket.com
Urban SUN: Black Voices Book Club
Sunday, April 24 3-4 p.m.
A monthly book club devoted to creating meaningful conversations about race by exploring works of contemporary and historical African-American authors. Discussions are led by Sun Prairie residents, Donna Mackey and Marilyn Ruffin. Get ready to get uncomfortable and get real! This month's book selection is "Remember Me: Mary Lou Williams in Poetry" by former Madison Poet Laureate, Fabu, who will be joining us as a special guest for our May discussion. Limited copies of the book will be available at the library's Information Desk for those who register. The Urban SUN book club will meet via Zoom until further notice. Please register on the Events Calendar at https://sunprairie.librarymarket.com, and Zoom details will be emailed to you.
Wednesday, April 27 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Library Community Room
Quan Barry, the amazing author of last year's Big Summer Read, will discuss her new book, “When I'm Gone, Look for Me in the East”. Already receiving rave reviews, it is described as "a stunning examination of our individual struggle to retain faith and discover meaning in a fast-changing world, and a paean to Buddhist acceptance of what simply is." Copies of the book will be available for purchase - and author signature! - courtesy of Mystery to Me, an independent bookstore in Madison. Registration is required. Please register on the Events Calendar at https://sunprairie.librarymarket.com. Wearing a mask is not required, but strongly recommended.
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics
Public Health Madison & Dane County will be holding walk-in vaccine clinics in the library’s Community Room on Fridays through May 27 from 3:00-5:30 p.m. (No clinic on 5/6). Everyone 5 and older is welcome. No ID or insurance required, but children 5-17 must have a parent or guardian present. First, second, and booster doses will be offered. Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson available while supplies last.
Library Closed on Friday, May 6 for Staff In-service
The library will be closed on Friday, May 6 for Staff In-service. The drive-thru book drops will remain open.