A years-long effort to expand biking and pedestrian options in Madison's northeastern region marked a milestone recently as members of the biking community and leaders from Madison and Sun Prairie gathered to commemorate the opening of the Tancho Path.

The half-mile Tancho Path runs from Tancho Drive in Madison through Northeast Park and connects to Goodman Path in Sun Prairie, showcasing intergovernmental cooperation. It offers a safer travel route than nearby American Parkway and Highway 151, connecting area residents to shopping and dining options — and a connection to the 20-plus-mile Sun Prairie Bike Loop and city of Madison’s bike network. Oakwood Village’s campus also connects directly to the new trail, offering exciting new recreational opportunities for many older adults.

“We’ve campaigned for this path for a long time,” says Oakwood resident Ed Grys, who participated in early public meetings. “We’re really happy [for the expansion], because it opens up a whole new area for us to go.”

The Oakwood Village community has partnered for years with Cycling Without Age to bring innovative “trishaw” bicycles that accommodate older passengers with mobility limitations.

The trishaws are a wonderful way to spend time together and get outdoors, resident Val Van Winkle says. “There’s socialization, fresh air, nature, a break from life indoors, so there are lots of positives. Residents with mobility issues can leave campus and have more opportunity to experience nature and the changing of the seasons.” (Cycling Without Age promotes “The right to wind in your hair” for seniors, regardless of ability.)

Speakers at the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday morning included Christof Spieler, director of transportation for the city of Madison; Madison District 17 Alder Sabrina Madison; Sun Prairie Alder District 3 Alder Maureen Crombie; and Ed Grys, a resident of Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge, who helped campaign for the trail.  

After the ceremony, cyclists were able to take a spin on the new trail and enjoy the results.

Ms. Van Winkle was also featured in a local TV news story about the ribbon-cutting and offered additional insights into the new path's impact on the community.