MONONA, Wis. (WMTV) – Dozens of volunteers obtained their palms filthy Saturday, beautifying a piece of Monona that’s prosperous in heritage.

San Damiano, positioned at 4123 Monona Drive, formally grew to become public residence this thirty day period. The metropolis closed on the $8.6 million deal after just about a 12 months.

Now, the metropolis is doing work with nonprofit Buddies of San Damiano to condition the property’s upcoming. The operate began with a neighborhood clean up-up on Saturday. Team organizers claimed virtually 80 volunteers signed up.

“We love Camp Monona,” volunteer Leda Kanellakou stated. “That’s what we get in touch with it because it is like summer months camp all summer prolonged and winter camp all winter very long.”

“You check out character, and it just lets you the peace to be with your self and to think, be with your thoughts and be outside the house of the hustle and bustle of the city,” Andrew Kitslaar stated.

Even though paving the path forward, local community members also vowed not to drop sight of the past.

Kitslaar, who is also the president of the Good friends of San Damiano, explained, “We have a lot of formulated land, and this is just just one of the previous items that is yet to be produced and still to be touched. That is why I think it’s critical to secure and protect all of it.”

The 10 acres of residence together Lake Monona’s shoreline were initial dwelling to indigenous teams, such as ancestors of the Ho Chunk Country, Kitslaar stated. A property constructed in 1893, identified as the Frank Allis House, sits on the house and has passed from relatives to relatives. Most recently, it was owned by the St. Norbert Abbey.

“Buying San Damiano has been a little something that people today in the city have dreamt of for yrs,” Mayor Mary O’Connor mentioned. “We just did not come to feel we could move [the deal] up. We have nice parks, but we never have huge amounts of environmentally friendly room.”

O’Connor claimed she hopes a master setting up course of action sometime late slide or winter season will establish how finest to use the eco-friendly place. She also claimed the city is chatting with customers of the Ho Chunk Nation to get their just take on the land’s background.

In accordance to Kitslaar, other extended-term initiatives are in store. They include an archeological study of the internet site for artifacts or burial grounds.

The Good friends of San Damiano states it will sign up for the city in web hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, June 24 at 2 p.m.

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