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- April 6, 2023
April 6, 2023
Administration
City of Sun Prairie Highlights Earth Month Activities
The City of Sun Prairie is extending Earth Month celebrations from April into May and invites you to join in on the many opportunities to get involved.
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 $68. Bins are now available to order online, and pick-up will be on Saturday, May 13 at the Recycling Center. For individuals interested in purchasing a bin, please visit 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. Pollinators 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. This year’s efforts include a partnership with the American Geophysical Union (AGU), Thriving Earth Exchange Partnership providing support in data collection and citizen scientist activities. In addition to reducing mowing frequency or eliminating mowing entirely during the month of May, participants have the opportunity to participate in citizen scientist efforts by downloading the WiBee App and collecting data during the month of May.
For the month of May, the City Council 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 program, residential properties are invited to participate and must follow all 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 June 1. City-wide yard waste collection is scheduled from May 30 – June 9 to support this year’s efforts. Register your property to participate in No Mow May today at: https://form.jotform.com/kgrissom/no-mow-may-2023-registration-form.
Upcoming Volunteer Events
April 15, 2023 from 9-11:00am – Invasive Plant Removal at Shonas Highland Trails
April 15, 2023 from 2-5:00pm – Tree Planting at Sun Prairie Dream Park
April 22, 2023 starting at 9am – Earth Day City-Wide Parks Cleanup
Looking for more events? There are several upcoming opportunities where you can get involved! Visit cityofsunprairie.com/earthmonth for more details.
Community Development
City Council Adopts Brand Identity
The City of Sun Prairie is excited to announce the adoption of a brand that reflects the uniqueness of Sun Prairie and the community it serves. On Tuesday, March 21, City Council approved the brand identity and city staff will move forward with implementing the brand elements that were developed through an extensive research process.
For the past year, city staff have been working with North Star Place Branding + Marketing, an agency that specializes in community and place branding, to conduct research that captures what makes Sun Prairie unique. Data is the primary driver for uncovering the Sun Prairie brand. A statistically significant body of quantitative and qualitative research ensures the brand is informed by the reality of the perceptions from all consumers, residents and stakeholders. Community insights informing the brand were obtained through site visits to key locations, focus groups of community members, and one-on-one interviews with Sun Prairie stakeholders. To collect input from a wider audience, a community survey was distributed and 692 responses were collected through a variety of creative efforts. After all of the data was compiled and analyzed, a DNA Statement was developed.
DNA Statement
The DNA Statement is the code for what makes the community special at its core and encompasses Sun Prairie’s story. The DNA Statement was transformed into a strapline, logo, and consistent color palette that if used consistently, will help tell community members and visitors Sun Prairie’s story.
For everyone wanting some room to grow in the Upper Midwest, Sun Prairie, rising to the northeast of Madison, celebrates all things endearing and fun – from Jimmy and Georgia to midget cars & corn and welcomes everyone to come as you are to enhance our collective future.
Logo
The logo represents the growth, change, and diversity of Sun Prairie derived from the variety of people, places, and things. The icon is intended to capture a sense of movement in bringing these items together.
Strapline
The strapline places an emphasis that Sun Prairie is in constant motion and has much to offer community members in whatever they are looking for. It centers on the idea that this community adapts to the diverse backgrounds and interests of its people, providing the right opportunity and resources in the right place.
To implement the brand across the community, city staff will use the rollout guidance and comprehensive 3-year marketing strategy provided by North Star. In the 2023 budget, $50,000 in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act were allocated for brand implementation. Staff plan to utilize funds to develop subsequent logos that reflect various departments and to begin the design process of business park, entry, and wayfinding signage. The 2023 Tourism Commission budget allocated $50,000 for marketing, aimed at additional implementation efforts. At the May Tourism Commission meeting, staff will review the North Star Marketing Activation Plan to determine an approach moving forward. The first major step will be to embed the brand into all digital platforms, communications, and visitor & economic marketing efforts.
“Sun Prairie is a growing and thriving community that has something to offer everyone who desires to work, live and play here,” said Mayor Paul Esser. “I am excited to move forward with implementation of a brand that captures that value.” For more information about the brand, please visit https://www.brandingsunprairie.com/
Wine Walk!
Community Spotlight
Community Mental Health Programming
Parks, Recreation and Forestry
Recreation Department
The Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation & Forestry office is open: Monday – Friday 8:00am-4:30pm, or by phone at (608) 837-3449 or by email at rec@cityofsunprairie.com.
Announcements:
Summer Rec Guide out now!
Summer Rec Guide and registration is now open for residents! Registration begins for non-Residents on April 11th.
1. View the Summer Guide at rec.cityofsunprairie.com!
2. Log in to our website to make sure you know your password and that your account is up to date, including street address and email address.
3. If you don’t already have an account, create your account. If you think you have an account, but cannot find yourself on the website, please do not add yourself again. Call the Recreation Department office at 608-837-3449 and we will assist you.
4. If you do not have a Sun Prairie address, but live in the Sun Prairie School District, the system will not know that and will charge you Non-Resident rates. If you continue your registration and pay Non-Resident rates, the difference is non-refundable. Please contact our office prior to your registration so that we may adjust your account to reflect the proper designation.
5. If you accidentally register for the wrong program, do not immediately register for the correct program. Call us 608-837-3449 and we can make the transfer for you.
“Recreation is for Everyone” Scholarship form!
Come join us for fun and enriching programs available for the whole family! Requesting a scholarship is easier than ever with our NEW online form! This easy, streamlined form provides "no questions asked" financial access to SPPRF programs.
In order to request the Recreation is for Everyone Scholarship you must be a resident of Sun Prairie or enrolled in the Sun Prairie Area School District.
For questions or assistance contact us at 608-837-3449 or visit Recreation is for Everyone Scholarship Information
- Scholarships cover 50% of enrollment fees on most programs
- No formal documentation is required for approval of financial assistance
- Online submission with approvals within 2 business days
We’re Hiring!
Run the Parks
Concerts in the Parks
Upcoming Programs Not to Be Missed:
April 21st
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Registration Deadline: 4/14/2023
Spring has Sprung! What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to plant some flower seeds in a hand painted Terra Cotta pot! In this workshop we'll decorate our own pots with acrylic paints, fill our pots with soil and tuck our little wildflower seeds into them and watch them grow! Using modeling clay we can create a few tiny creatures to keep our seeds company while they begin to sprout. Fun for the whole family, all ages welcome!
American Red Cross Babysitter Training
April 29th
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: 4/22/2023
This training provides kids, ages 11-15, with the information and skills necessary 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.
Thursday Early Release Afterschool Programming (previously TGIT)
Thursdays, 1:30-5:00 p.m.
Elementary School Site Locations:
Meadowview
Northside
Token Springs – NEW
Beginning in the 2022 – 2023 school year, Sun Prairie Area School District Elementary Schools will be dismissing students at 1:30 pm on Thursday afternoons to accommodate professional staff development. In an effort to provide high quality afterschool childcare to our growing community, Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation & Forestry, the Sun Prairie Area School District and Community Schools are putting forth a collaborative effort to provide a community partner-based afterschool program. This program will aim to provide families with safe, affordable and engaging childcare on Thursday afternoons for students in kindergarten through 5th grade.
Childcare will be available from dismissal at 1:30 pm until 5:00 pm. We will pilot this program, starting in September, at three elementary school locations and will have programming at all nine elementary schools starting in January 2023. Program partners will be brought in monthly to provide fun and exciting programming ranging from chess to sports to ukulele lessons.
If this program isn’t offered at your school initially you do have the option to attend any site, but transportation will not be provided at this time. Registration will be by month for September -December. Please click “register” to be added to our interest list to be notified when enrollment begins and when new sites are added to this program.
For more information visit rec.cityofsunprairie.com and the digital version of the Rec Connection which will be updated prior to the start of the school year. Please contact Emily Rebarchek, erebarchek@cityofsunprairie.com, or call 608-837-3449 with any questions.
Public Safety
Sun Prairie Public Library
Read to Raise Reading Fundraiser
Raise money for our Library Expansion project by joining our Read to Raise reading challenge through Beanstack, all month long! Log and share your reading with family & friends to earn virtual badges, prizes, and donations.
Our community will track their reading and share their progress. Your donations support our library, plus you'll inspire our community to read more. You can make a difference — every dollar raised counts. The funds raised will be applied to a $25,000 matching donation for the Library Expansion project. Earn virtual badges and prizes along the way!
Register here: https://sunprairiepubliclibrary.beanstack.com/reader365
Sun Prairie Public Library Foundation
April 23rd-29th is National Library Week, and this year we have several activities and events planned to celebrate our wonderful library and several opportunities to get involved with fundraising for the expansion project!
Read to Raise is a new program hosted through Beanstack to log reading and fundraising challenges. From April 1st - 30th, Read to Raise is open for all who are looking for a quick but fun spring reading program while also helping to raise funds for the library expansion project. The funds raised will be applied to a $25,000 matching donation!
We're also very excited to host two author events, and we'll be ending the week with our Kentucky Derby Spring Gala! All proceeds from the event will go towards the Library Expansion project. More details are below!
Storytime with Authors Pat Zietlow Miller and e.E. Carlton-Trujillo
Sunday, April 23, 2-4pm
Library Community Room
Come listen to Pat Zietlow Miller & e.E. Charlton-Trujillo read their new books “Lupe Lopez: Rock Star Rules!” and their new release “A Girl Can Build Anything”! There will be a chance to ask them questions, buy their books, and get them signed! All ages are welcome! This is a free event hosted by the Sun Prairie Public Library Foundation.
Author Visit and Book Signing with Dannelle Gay
Monday, April 24 from 5-7pm
Library Community Room
Meet Dannelle Gay, local author and TV host! Join us as Dannelle discusses her new book “100 Things To Do In Wisconsin Before You Die”. “100 Things to Do in Wisconsin Before You Die” is a comprehensive guide to all the must-see, must-taste, and must-do activities with suggestions and ideas for the whole family. From outdoor activities to family fun, there's something for everyone in Wisconsin. With spring in the air it's time to plan those summer road trips and Dannelle has just the spot for you!
This is a free event hosted by the Sun Prairie Public Library Foundation. Books will be available for purchase at the event. A portion of the proceeds will help support the Library Expansion project!
Saturday, April 29th from 5:30-9pm
Angell Park Pavilion
Kick off the spring social season at Angell Park Pavilion from 5:30-9 p.m. to support the Sun Prairie Public Library. Live music by Rod Ellenbecker, mint juleps and delicious Kentucky-inspired food are included. Silent auction and games will entertain and delight! Derby hats and bowties are encouraged, but not required.