Madison Reporter

State, county, and local officials gathered at Oakwood Village’s Prairie Ridge campus on July 30 to celebrate the community’s 25th anniversary of serving older adults in Madison.

Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge opened in 2000 as a response to increased demand for senior living options. The campus is located on an 18-acre site about 10 miles east of downtown Madison. Since its opening, the facility has expanded to include nearly 300 apartments, several levels of assisted living support, memory care services, and skilled nursing. Amenities available to residents include a gym, salon, outdoor spaces, a volunteer-run store, and multiple restaurants.

The anniversary event took place in the Tree of Life Chapel and included Dane County Executive Melissa Agard, Congressman Mark Pocan, Madison Deputy Mayor Katie Crawley, Oakwood leadership, and residents. Several residents who have lived at Prairie Ridge since it opened were present.

“Over the past quarter century, this campus has served as a cornerstone for countless families across Dane County,” said Agard. “… As County Executive, I’m especially grateful for partners like Oakwood Village, who share in our mission of building a Dane County where everyone can thrive.”

Jan Hamilton-Crawford, President and CEO of Oakwood Village, stated that Prairie Ridge represents more than just buildings but is “a living community of laughter, friendships, dedicated caregivers, and peaceful surroundings,” emphasizing dignity and independence. She described the ceremony as an opportunity not only to reflect on the past but also to renew commitment to prioritizing well-being and happiness in the future.

Joy Mortensen-Wiebe, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America South Central Synod, delivered a recorded message: “I am grateful today that our community, this greater Madison area, gets to have such a beautiful facility that continues to understand the needs of our community and the needs of the residents who come here.”