The findings will ultimately lay the groundwork for a future master plan, which is anticipated to occur in 2020. Master plans outline an overall vision with key elements and amenities and are not detailed construction plans.

The first workshop is Thursday and will take place from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Villager Mall, 2300 S. Park St. Future workshops will be located at the Warner Park Recreation Community Center and the Central Library downtown. The open house will be at Badger Rock Neighborhood Center.

Workshops will be more structured and include an interactive activity while the open house will be less formal. In addition to the engagement meetings, the consultants are hosting tabling events, conducting in-person interviews with park users and conducting an online survey.

Sturm said hosting public input events downtown and on the north and south sides of the city is a way to ensure people across Madison have an opportunity to have their voices heard.

“It’s the Parks Division recognizing that this is a shoreline that will ultimately serve the greater community and not just downtown residents,” Sturm said.

'Visionary but build-able'