Friends of San Damiano

The Friends of San Damiano (FoSD or "Friends") was incorporated as a 501(c)3 not for profit organization in July 2020 to “advance the use of the property known as San Damiano as a place for public recreation, interpretive programming, and peaceful reflection.” The Friends group is comprised of residents from Monona and beyond, all of whom share a strong commitment to and passion for the property.  

With the formation of FoSD, the future of San Damiano now depends on a public/private partnership; the City of Monona and the Friends collaborating to raise the funds necessary to support the purchase of the property and transform it into a one-of-a-kind Lake Monona destination.

Ownership and final decisions will be made by the city, while the Friends will fundraise to secure the preservation of the property, finalize the master plan, and complete the future transformation.

This process will require substantial community engagement, the generation of a site master plan, and the acquisition of sufficient capital to ensure that the master plan comes to fruition.