The 1970s

In 1973, 1001 Williamson was little more than an empty dirt lot next to a pre-fab steel Trachte building (most recently the site of MadCat for many years).
In 1973, 1001 Williamson was little more than an empty dirt lot next to a pre-fab steel Trachte building (most recently the site of MadCat for many years).
A small wooden bench is next to a stone walkway in a lush green park. Across the street, some 70s cars are visible including a VW Bug
A small wooden bench is next to a stone walkway in a lush green park. Across the street, some 70s cars are visible including a VW Bug.
A custom, distinctive wood beam fence next to the park. Across the street is a car repair shop and 70s cars.
Across the Brearly, the landscape looks very different these days. Instead of shops, there used to be an auto place there.

1978 was the first year of the Willy Street Fair, which was a fundraiser to buy the lot of the Willy Street Park. Organizers called it “hectic” and “an adventure.” In their writing, they championed the cause of neighborhood revitalization and wanted to protect and expand access to low-income housing.

The 1980s

The Cover of the 1981 Willy Street Fair booklet. It's orange with a blank and white ink illustration of four people standing in front of a street with "Crystal Corner's" and "Dolly's Fine Food" on the other.

The cover of the Sept. 9th, 1982 Cap Times "Off Hours" section featuring a photo of a motorcyclist parking with his motorcycle in the park

The Willy Street Park Board of Directors that exists today was first started in the fall of 83. Before then it existed as a committee of Common Wealth

In 1984, the Park Society wrote their Articles of Incorporation and declared in article 2 that “The period of existence shall be perpetual.”

Later that year, the City of Madison granted the newly created Park Society a conservation easement for the land. It was now protected to be used “exclusively for public open space purposes” and that “There shall be no commercial activity undertaken or allowed except for occasional festivals, fairs or similar events sponsored by neighborhood groups or public bodies.”

The 90s