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Created in 1985, Blair Street Gardens Committee, Inc. is a private, non-profit community organization. BSG's volunteers design, plant, and maintain two gardens on public property at the intersection of Blair, Williamson, and Wilson Streets and John Nolen Drive in downtown Madison, Wisconsin. With the help of contributors and volunteers, the gardens brighten the cityscape of this busy corner just blocks from the State Capitol. We have two gardens:
Wilson Green on the 400 block of E. Wilson Street (next to the Crowley Pumping Station/Lakefront Porch and across from Come Back Inn)
Click here for pictures of Wilson Green
The Gateway Garden on the 600 block of Williamson Street (in front of the Gateway Mall and across from Machinery Row Bikes)
The Gateway Garden was once a gas station. Wilson Green was once a railroad storage yard. Both properties are owned by the City of Madison, WI, and BSG maintains them pursuant to a written agreement with the City.
We have no paid staff, receive minimal city services or funding, and rely on contributions from individuals and businesses to support the gardens. Our volunteers mulch, plant, weed and water the gardens. Please check the Donations page for information about how to donate.
Our mailing address is:
Blair Street Gardens
P.O. Box 1333
Madison WI 53701-1333
Email us at:
Board Members
Board Members
Ellen Henningsen, President: Ellen has been volunteering with Blair Street Gardens for decades, and has been President since 2013. She inherited her love of gardening from her mother and grandmother. She maintains gardens at her home near Orton Park and at Atwood Community Gardens. She created the corner and median gardens at Orton Park several years ago. Her favorite perennial is the heirloom phlox that came from her grandmother’s garden in Whitewater - now growing nationwide at the homes of all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ellen’s favorite annuals are lantana and basil. She is a fan of knee pads and hori hori knives (look it up). Like all gardeners, she is not a fan of rabbits.
Gary Tipler, Vice-President: Gary has been involved with Blair Street Gardens as a co-founder, garden designer and pruner of evergreens since its founding in 1985. In addition to gardening, he leads historic preservation efforts throughout the state. His love of gardening led him to transform his home garden on the east side of Madison from boring to a wealth of shapes, heights, colors and textures.
Liz Zona, Secretary: Growing up on a farm in Indiana with substantial woods to play in, Liz fell in love with nature and native plants. Her favorite flower, the bloody butcher (also known as prairie trillium), was often used in potions her and her brother made from the native plants around the farm. Liz joined Blair Street Gardens in 2024 and began serving as the Secretary. Liz is a novice gardener, but has a passion for increasing green space in the City. In her spare time, Liz enjoys knitting, yoga, anything that gets her outside on the water or in nature, APT, and spending time with her husband and their greyhound.
Michael Friedman, Treasurer: Michael is an environmental scientist who inherited his love of gardening from his mother and grandmother. He lives in the First Settlement District and began serving as Treasurer in 2025 after spending several years admiring the Blair Street Gardens. He has a passion for native plants, especially those that support monarch butterflies, rare bumblebees, and other wildlife. His favorite plants change with the seasons, but presently he is looking forward to the blooms of spring ephemerals like trillium, Dutchman’s breeches, and trout lilies. Outside of gardening, you might find Michael riding his bike(s), trying to photograph bumble bees, or organizing events for the neighborhood.
Gregory Roliardi, Member at Large: Gregory moved to Madison from Tempe, Arizona in 2022. He found his love for plants in the desert and since moving to Madison has been taking his time learning the local Flora. His favorite native plant is Jack in the Pulpit. Gregory is an outdoor athlete and since moving to Madison has begun learning to sail with the Hoofers club. One of Gregory's most dearest adventures was when he rode his bicycle across the United States in 2014. Gregory is excited about being a board member with Blair Street Gardens and hopes it helps satiate his need for gardening, learning, and community.
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