About the study
UW-Madison and the State of Wisconsin have begun a study of the Howard Temin Lakeshore Path — a busy, regionally significant pedestrian and bicycle route. This popular path draws thousands of users each day, both from our campus community and beyond, including commuters, students and recreational users.
This study focuses on lighting and paving the study area (Howard Temin Lakeshore Path from Willow Creek to the Limnology Building). The analysis will study path usage, safety issues, accessibility, environmental concerns, stakeholder impact, and many more factors. It is important to note there is not currently a project or design in progress to pave and light the path. Therefore, there is no timeline or budget available at this time. Instead, this study focuses on the feasibility and impacts of lighting and paving the path, as well as possible next steps.
The study area comprises the Howard Temin Lakeshore Path from Willow Creek to the Limnology Building. Many portions of the path have been studied over the years. Past studies have looked at erosion, path width, and path safety. Additionally, master plans on landscape, stormwater management, and the Lakeshore Nature Preserve have been completed. The findings of the past plans and studies will inform this study.
Stakeholder feedback is a critical piece of this study. Public engagement meetings, open to all, were held July 16 and November 6 on campus. Additional engagement, including listening sessions with key stakeholders will be held. You can also share feedback to communications@fpm.wisc.edu. To ensure you are familiar with the options and study, please first review the November public information meeting materials (slide deck and video). Received feedback will be collected and given to campus leadership.
This feasibility study marks the next step in a multi-year process initiated in 2022 when a task force was established to assess potential improvements for this segment of the campus. Over the past two years, the task force has engaged a diverse cross-section of stakeholders. To build on this work, the university is now conducting a feasibility study, which includes additional stakeholder listening sessions that will continue until October. The study is expected to wrap up in December. A final report will be issued early in 2025 that will help inform next steps.
How do I share my input?
First, to ensure you are aware of all three options and the research done to date, please learn about the paving and lighting options presented at the public information meeting by watching the video from the meeting. (The slide deck is available as well.)
After you have reviewed the meeting presentation, please provide your feedback to communications@fpm.wisc.edu. Received feedback will be collected and given to campus leadership.
Timeline
The study began in April 2024 and is planned for completion in December 2024.
Public and partner engagement took place in July 2024 and is planned for November 2024.
Public engagement
To ensure you are familiar with the options and study, please first review the November public information meeting materials (slide deck and video). Then, please provide your feedback to communications@fpm.wisc.edu. Received feedback will be collected and given to campus leadership.
Online survey
This survey was open July 2-26, 2024, and received 1,912 responses and 1,325 comments.
Public Information Meeting #1
5:30-7:30 pm, Tuesday, July 16, Memorial Union
Damon Farber, the consultant completing this feasibility study, gave a presentation, asked questions, facilitated discussion, and asked participants to give feedback via post-its on a map, notes and comments.
Joint Campus Area Committee Meeting
4:45 pm, Thursday, October 24, online
Damon Farber, the study consultant, gave an informational presentation to the JCAC at their regularly scheduled meeting.
Public Information Meeting #2
5:30-7:30 pm, Wednesday, November 6 Holt Center, Kronshage Hall
View the slide deck or watch the presentation (opens video in YouTube).
Damon Farber, the consultant completing this feasibility study, reviewed research findings, share engagement summary to-date, reviewed preliminary lighting and paving options, and gathered input and feedback to inform formal recommendations.
Stakeholder engagement meetings
Summer and Fall 2024
The consultant, Damon Farber, have engaged key stakeholders, such as campus partners, Lakeshore Nature Preserve, and student representatives.
Design Review Board meeting
[currently planned] December 17
FAQs
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How did this study come about and why?
Over the years, the university has heard of concerns about safety on the path, due to cyclist/pedestrian conflicts, uneven surfaces during winter (e.g., rutting forming from freeze and melt cycles), and the variability of surfaces, markings and lighting along the path.
In 2022, the university brought together a task force to assess potential improvements for this segment of the campus. The task force was an ad hoc committee convened at the request of Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration Rob Cramer. It included a diverse cross-section of stakeholders, including representatives from Associated Students of Madison (ASM), University Police Department (UWPD), University Housing and Student Affairs.
The task force was charged with reviewing the safety of and providing recommendations for the East Temin Lakeshore Path from Limnology Building to Elm Drive. Their suggested next steps were to engage a consultant to perform a feasibility study on the unpaved and unlit portion of the path to determine if paving and lighting is possible, while maintaining the integrity of Lake Mendota and the Lakeshore Nature Preserve habitat.
To build on this work, the university is now conducting a feasibility study. This study is not a directive for action, but the results will be considered when determining what decisions are ultimately made about the Lakeshore Path.
An important facet of this study is ensuring the campus and broader community have the opportunity to weigh in on this effort. This includes earlier engagement this summer, the Joint Campus Area Committee meeting held October 24, and public information meetings (next meeting is Nov. 6) and stakeholder listening sessions that will continue through the fall.
How can I provide my opinion?
We hope you were able to attend the Public Information Meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 5:30-7:30 pm, at Holt Center, Kronshage Hall, 1650 Kronshage Drive.
Damon Farber, the consultant completing this feasibility study:
- Reviewed research findings.
- Shared engagement summary to-date.
- Reviewed preliminary lighting and paving options.
- Gathered input and feedback to inform formal recommendations.
If you were not able to make it, please first review the slide deck and watch the presentation (opens video in YouTube). Related feedback can be shared by emailing communications@fpm.wisc.edu. Received feedback will be collected and given to campus leadership.
When will this study be complete?
The study is expected to wrap up in December. A final report will be issued in 2025 that will help inform next steps.
What will happen after the study is complete?
UW-Madison leadership will take the feasibility study results into consideration when considering what actions, if any, to take on the East Temin Lakeshore Path. Similar to other campus projects, many factors will inform any next steps.
Questions about this study? Please contact the consultant leading this study at jrefsland@damonfarber.com.
Want to provide feedback? Please email communications@fpm.wisc.edu.