History

 

The history of Monona, Wisconsin dates back to its incorporation in 1938. Before that point, the village was part of the Town of Blooming Grove, an area mainly devoted to farmland and summer homes. Over the course of the 1940s and 50s, the village developed a variety of public services, including fire protection, police, water and sewer facilities, and street maintenance. These services helped the town grow by over 200 percent to nearly 10,000. In the 1960s, the village built a community center, swimming pool, public library and city hall. These developments coincided with increased interest from commercial, industrial and residential developers. While the town became locked in by water and the City of Madison, real estate in Monona WI continues to thrive and modernize into the 21st century.

 

Parks and Recreation

 

Monona has more than 20 parks for visitors and residents to enjoy. Many of these parks are located close to the shores of Lake Monona, providing lots of opportunities for fun in both the summer and winter. Winnequa Park and Firemans Park are side by side next to the Monona Community pool, city hall and public library. Winnequah is considered the crown jewel of the town. It's a 45-acre open space paradise with playgrounds, gazeebos, tennis courts and the Monona Youth Dream Park, which is a large playground that resembles a medieval castle. For more information on the town's parks, make sure to visit the City of Monona's website.

 

Attractions and Activities

Monona hosts lots of attractions for youth, seniors and people of all age groups. During winter the Aldo Leopold Nature Center holds mini camps for youth eager to learn about Native American traditions, winter survival and wild birds. The Nature Center is open every weekday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m and holds special events every third weekend of the month. Starting in April every year, the Monona Swim and Dive Club offers swimming lessons, competitions and social events for the community. Children from kindergarten age to high school are encouraged to visit the club and learn skills that will last them a lifetime. More information about the organization can be found at https://www.mononaswimanddive.org.

 

Events

 

Monona holds events year round to celebrate special occasions and appreciate local residents. The most noteworthy is the Monona Community Festival held on the third and fourth of July every year. The festival includes food stands, beer, hole-in-one contests, music competitions, a carnival, dancing and fireworks. More information about the festival can be found at https://www.mononafestival.com. A few months later the city hosts the Monona Fall Festival. Concessions, balloon sculpting, face painting, arts and crafts, pony rides and a pumpkin hunt are all part of the festivities. A portion of profits from both festivals go to fund services that benefit homes in Monona WI.