At its September 16, 2025, meeting, the Sun Prairie Common Council’s Committee of the Whole (COW), i.e. the council minus the mayor, voted to instruct city staff to draft an amendment to the city sidewalk policy.
Current policy is for both newly constructed streets and older streets undergoing reconstruction, including cul-de-sacs (though not the “bulbs” in the latter), to have sidewalks on both sides. The proposed changes would limit sidewalks to one side of reconstructed streets and omit them entirely from culture-de-sacs, whether new or reconstructed.
If enacted, these changes would overturn a policy that has been in place for over fifteen years and that has made neighborhoods throughout the city more accessible and pedestrian-friendly. The process of drafting an amendment for final council approval will unfold over the next several months and involve several city committees.
The city has created a page, on its website, with detailed information about the sidewalk policy revision process. Click here to access that page.
We look forward to making the Connect Sun Prairie web site and social media accounts spaces for information and discussion about this important issue, particularly for those who agree that:
- Streets should be for everyone, whether in a car or not, and of all ages and abilities
- Sun Prairie should have a robust and well-connected city-wide sidewalk network
- Installing sidewalks on both sides of every street should be a fundamental design principle throughout our community.
Links to further information
Current City of Sun Prairie Sidewalk Policy
City of Sun Prairie “Why Sidewalks?” Flyer
“Safe Routes to School” sidewalk guidance page
Federal Highway Administration Pedestrian Safety Guide on Sidewalks