Tucked away on the Southwest side of Madison is the Arbor Hills neighborhood. Comprising mostly residential areas, the neighborhood also features several parks, is conveniently located off the beltline, and near several bike paths.
To learn more about Arbor Hills, I caught up with Ashley Gibson, the president of the Arbor Hills Neighborhood Association. She and her family moved from the Dudgeon-Monroe neighborhood to Arbor Hills in 2018 and have been thriving there ever since.
Here’s a look at some of her must-sees and must-dos in the area, some answers have been edited for length and clarity.
Where to Have a Drink and Grab a Bite
Ashley Gibson: “Bonfyre American Grille is nearby and is a great place to grab dinner or drinks. I'm a fan of the pan fried walleye. We're also close to the Great Dane and Thirsty Goat in Fitchburg. We rotate our neighborhood association board meetings between Curry in the Box or Panera in Fitchburg, Culver's just off of the Beltline, and Licari's Bar & Grill in the summer — which is just a 5-minute drive from Arbor Hills and has a great patio and excellent burgers.”
Neighborhood Must-Sees
“The south side of the arboretum is in our backyard. There are some beautiful hiking trails, and it's often quieter than the part inside the beltline. That also means Arbor Hills is home to all kinds of wildlife — we've had possum, skunks, deer, and even foxes in our backyard. And lots of turkeys! The Cannonball Path runs through our neighborhood, which makes it easy to bike downtown or all the way to Verona and beyond. We also have one of Madison's nine official sledding hills right here in our neighborhood. It's a popular spot on a snowy day!”
Neighborhood Quirks
“Arbor Hills was developed in the mid-20th century. There are many residents who have lived here for 30+ years, as well as lots of young families who have moved to Arbor Hills more recently. There's an eclectic mix of home styles — from Greek Revival to Tudor to Spanish Colonial — many with large yards that range from neatly manicured grass to native prairies.
“We're kind of tucked away behind the beltline, so many people don't even know it's here — but we're a quick drive or bike ride to downtown. It's a hidden gem!
“The neighborhood association is focused on creating welcoming, inclusive spaces for our community, so we host events throughout the year, including a spring cleanup, food truck nights in the park throughout the summer, and bike parades for the 4th of July and Halloween. We also support the work of Arbor Good Neighbor House (formerly Arbor Covenant Church) that helps refugees settle in Madison and runs a personal essentials pantry. We hope to continue this work and foster a sense of community among renters and homeowners alike who call this place home.”
Arbor Hills has one of Madison's oldest neighborhood associations. It started in 1962 as a garden club focused on planting flowers and trees to beautify the neighborhood. They advocated to keep the sledding hill as a public space rather than develop it for houses, which is why it's still a great spot for winter fun. (City of Madison)
