A group of local neighbors has come together with an ambitious goal: permanently protect eight acres of conservancy land adjacent to Lake Kegonsa.
The newly formed Committee to Preserve Lot 3 Sunnyside, Inc. has secured an accepted offer to purchase a parcel located across Sunnyside Street, adjacent to Lake Kegonsa. The property sits in a remarkable natural corridor, directly adjoining Lake Kegonsa State Park, the Lower Yahara River Trail, and the Door Creek Wildlife Area. Preserving this land would protect an important connection point between existing public lands and help safeguard the surrounding watershed.
For years, the property has been considered a prime candidate for development. Local residents recognized that if the land were developed, the additional runoff and pollution could further strain Lake Kegonsa’s ecosystem. By preserving the land as a permanent conservancy, the community hopes to protect the area for recreation, wildlife habitat, and clean water for generations to come.
Local conservation organizations are applauding the effort. The Friends of Lake Kegonsa Society (FOLKS) has voiced strong support for the project and its potential to protect the broader Lake Kegonsa watershed.
Clean Lakes Alliance Serving as Fiscal Sponsor
To help make the project possible, Clean Lakes Alliance has agreed to serve as the initiative’s fiscal sponsor. Donations made through Clean Lakes Alliance will be held in support of the land purchase until the acquisition can be completed. If the purchase does not ultimately move forward, all donations will be returned.
“I am excited to support this initiative,” said James Tye, Executive Director and Founder of Clean Lakes Alliance. “This committee’s work is another great example of local leadership within our Renew the Blue movement to protect our Madison-area lakes.”
A Community Goal to Protect the Land
The committee must raise $920,000 in cash and pledges by August 19, 2026, to complete the purchase. Encouragingly, local residents have already committed
$200,000 toward the goal.
Over the coming months, the group plans to host community fundraisers, conduct
neighborhood outreach, and pursue local, foundation, and state grant opportunities.
“This is truly a historic opportunity to do something wonderful for the lake and a place that I love,” said Kim Walz, Secretary of the Committee and former board member of both the Friends of Lake Kegonsa Society and Clean Lakes Alliance.
Committee President Jeff Zoeller emphasized that community participation will be essential to success. “We hope the entire community will support this effort,” Zoeller said. “No contribution is too small. It will take all of us working together to invest in this land and make this vision a reality.”
How to Support the Effort
Tax-deductible donations supporting the purchase of the land can be made through Clean Lakes Alliance. To make a donation by check, please designate “Preserve Lot 3 Sunnyside” in the Memo section and mail it to:
Clean Lakes Alliance
150 E. Gilman St., Suite 2600
Madison, WI 53703
Donations can be made online here: Preserve Lot 3 Sunnyside – Clean Lakes Alliance
