About FHP

In 1994, Bill Tishler, a neighbor to Hoyt Park and professor of Landscape Architecture at UW-Madison, commented on the deteriorating conditions of the amazing stone work at Hoyt Park (reported by Madison Newspapers).

In 1995, the Parks Division allocated $75,000 -- $25,000 per year for three years - to fund much needed improvements and maintenance of Hoyt Park. The initial meeting to discuss improvements was attended by over 120 neighbors. At the meeting these neighbors learned about the problems facing Hoyt Park, expressed their opinions, and recruited volunteers. A Citizen Advisory Committee of 9 neighbors worked with the Parks Division staff to create a 3-year Hoyt Park Master Plan. Roughly 180 volunteer hours were spent creating this plan.

One of the recommendations of the Master Plan, which was approved by the Park Commission, was to encourage the neighborhood to organize a Friends of Hoyt Park group or volunteer network to work on park project.

Thus, the Friends of Hoyt Park, Inc. was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1995. The first activities of the Friends was to develop and adopt by-laws, elect a board of directors, and raise funds for the benefit of Hoyt Park, much of which was matched by City funds.

Since then the Parks Division and we have accomplished much of what was in the original Master Plan and have hired a full time summer ranger for the past two summers.

Membership in Friends of Hoyt Park, Inc. is $15 for individuals and $25 for families. Membership is open to all who have an interest in Hoyt Park. Most members live within a half mile of the Park, but we also have members from as far away as Michigan and Illinois. Send a membership form (PDF 172 KB) with your check to:

Friends of Hoyt Park, Inc.
P O Box 5542
Madison WI 53705

Check out what we have accomplished... and volunteer to help us do more...