MASON CITY – Madison School is gone forever, and in its place shall be an official city park.
According to city documents, the site of the former Madison School property on the city’s south side continues to be used as a playground, track and community garden and is a valuable recreational amenity for the surrounding neighborhood. It has not been recognized as a City park under the purview of the Park Board.
City staff has asked the city council to approve dedicating the Madison School area as a City park under the purview of the Park Board. The area is between 26th Street SW and 27th Street SW and Jefferson Avenue on the east.
There is no immediate impact on the city budget from this. No official name has been determined, according to a city council member.
Madison Elementary School served students for decades and was over 90 years old at the end of its existence. It finally ran out of usefulness and the school board voted in 2014 to demolish the building. Demolition began the next year. The area has been a vibrant green space for locals to walk and play in ever since.
Before the school building was fully out of commission, NIT was allowed a tour in 2011 and many photos were taken. The photo gallery can be viewed here.
