MONONA, WIS.—With Lake Monona and the skyline of Madison as the backdrop, nearly 200 guests gathered on a warm, late summer evening for Friends of San Damiano’s Second Annual Celebration on the Shore at San Damiano Monona, 4123 Monona Dr., on Saturday, September 14 from 6 to 10 pm. The event was filled with cocktails, silent and live auctions, dinner at sunset and music, all in support of the cherished San Damiano property. The event was a resounding success, raising over $75,000 for the preservation and future development of the site.
Friends of San Damiano Board (FoSD) President Wes Mosman Block said: “This event is all about raising funds to support our mission and celebrating the many people who are working hard to make something significant happen at this place—to create a one-of-a kind lakeside destination that will serve our community for years to come.”
Lindsay Wood Davis, Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame inductee and champion of Monona’s 98.7FM WVMO, served as the evening’s MC. Key remarks were made by Jake Anderson, Monona Parks and Recreation Director; Dan Brown, Executive Manager of Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison and the event’s Presenting Sponsor; Monona Mayor Mary O’Connor; and Mosman Block. Their remarks all underscored the shared vision for the property’s future.
The San Damiano Master Plan is a road map for transforming the property into a space that prioritizes passive recreation and sustainable design, while maintaining much of the site as a natural, undeveloped land. Highlights include:
- Potential restoration and adaptive use of the historic Frank Allis House, or the creation of a community event facility.
- Outdoor gathering spaces, accessible pathways, natural play areas and public amenities such as a pier and event lawn.
- Stormwater management systems and naturalized areas like prairies and meadows.
- Collaboration with community partners, including the Ho-Chunk Nation, to honor the site’s cultural and environmental significance.
Mosman Block emphasized that 2024 marks a pivotal year of transition for the property, setting the stage for it to become a unique lakeside destination. FoSD is strengthening its partnership with the City of Monona, a relationship that is vital to the future of San Damiano. As FoSD takes on more responsibilities, plans are underway to engage professional leadership, launch a capital campaign and raise the necessary funds to bring the San Damiano Master Plan to life. While no decision has been made regarding the future of the Frank Allis House, adaptive reuse options are being explored. The organization remains dedicated to ensuring that any restoration or reuse of the Frank Allis House aligns with sustainability and engages the community for the long term.
Although much planning remains ahead, FoSD is living its mission by bringing dynamic programming to San Damiano. From birdwatching to biergartens, FoSD is offering opportunities for people to engage with the site in meaningful ways. The organization’s partnership with the Harry Whitehorse International Wood Sculpture Festival in June of this year is another example of how San Damiano is being utilized to foster community, creativity, and cultural exchange.
FoSD thanks Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison for their impactful role as Presenting Sponsor of the Second Annual Celebration on the Shore. FoSD is also grateful to the many sponsors, in-kind donors, supporters, and volunteers whose generosity and partnership made the evening possible. Event sponsors joining Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison were: Chads Design Build, Visionary Sponsor; Chuck Stonecipher, Northpointe Development Inc., Hogan Assessment, Lake Ridge Bank, Alexander Company, Phil La Susa and Dr. Jesse Sheldon and MG&E Foundation, all Advocate Sponsors; Aro Eberle Architects, Hoey Apothecary, McGann Construction, Full Spectrum Solar, The Madison Partners, Madison Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics, Susan and Bradley Manning and Monona Barber Shop, all Partner Sponsors.
As FoSD looks to the future, it invites the community to participate in creating a legacy for generations to come. The road ahead requires significant investment, but with the continued support of the community, FoSD is confident the property will be transformed into a sustainable, inclusive and vibrant space that will benefit the entire region for years to come.
