The Lisa Link Peace Park Advisory Committee approved a report Monday calling for the rejuvenation of Lisa Link Peace Park on State Street.
The committee's report contains data from two years of research on Peace Park and other city parks as well as recommendations for redesigning the area.
The committee formed in response to increased violence in the park's vicinity and the visible degradation of the park itself.
\It's just so upsetting to see all the vandalism in this area,"" said committee member Trudy Barash in response to the recent destruction of the Memorial Union chair sculpture placed in the Park.
According to committee member Judy Karofsky, the committee sat with panhandlers and homeless people who have used the park since 2002 to decide how to revitalize the area.
""I continue to talk with the panhandlers and I sat with the homeless people to watch 'Movies in the Park' this summer,"" she said.
The committee's proposed design plan includes lighting improvements, an events coordinator and a welcoming center with offices for central district police and neighborhood associations.
Members also finalized plans for a governance committee comprised of Madison area neighborhoods, the Parks Commission, Downtown Madison Inc., District One Business Improvement District and Associated Students of Madison.
""[This committee's] main charge is done, but the work is never done, and we will have to address that,"" said DMI President Susan Schmitz, adding the governance committee will monitor the area should the City Council approve the report.
They also want involvement from UW-Madison, acknowledging that some of the vandalism in the area comes from students. The committee plans to ask Chancellor John Wiley for a UW-Madison representative to join their proposed governance committee.
Tom Link, son of Lisa Link, said he was pleased at the committee's efforts to replace Lisa Link Park with a park ""fit for the 21st century.""
The committee will present the report to the City Council for approval Dec. 2. The proposed 2004 budget earmarks $50,000 for the project.
