03/16/21

Neighborhood Spotlights

Neighborhood Spotlight: Everything You Need To Know About Verona, WI

Fair Verona is located 10 miles southwest of downtown Madison. It can rightfully be called “the burbs.” But it’s also consistently rated as one of the best places to live in Wisconsin, known for its schools and bountiful employment opportunities at the famous Epic Headquarters. The sign welcoming you to the town is the slogan “Hometown USA.” The city adopted the motto after two Vietnam veterans returned home to Verona in 1966. They deemed Verona “the perfect example of Hometown USA.” Fifty-five years later, the city has experienced a lot of change. But locals agree that this mantra still holds up.

History of Verona

Native Americans inhabited Verona until 1829. The first colonized settlement in Verona revolved around a grist mill. This kind of mill grinds down cereal grains into flour for baking. Historic grist mills typically were cobblestone buildings with a picturesque waterwheel for power. Expansion of the mill overtime sparked the need for a post office and more workers. And so Verona was born.

As recently as 25 years ago, Verona could be considered a sleepy farming community. But it has experienced a boom. In 10 years, the Verona population has almost doubled. New neighborhoods have been built, stores and boutiques pepper the streets, and parks and recreational facilities have grown. The school system attracts families (the average age of a resident in Verona is 37.5) and residents enjoy a high quality of living.

Architecture in Verona

Verona holds many new construction homes and developments.  But if you prefer older homes with lots of character and tree-lined streets, you can also find that. Modern farmhouse-style builds mix in with cozy, angular ranchers. Two-story homes with front porches and backyards are typical.

We can discuss Verona architecture without including the Epic campus. The 1,000-acre campus of this world-famous tech company set up shop here in Verona. It’s on tier with Google for stimulating workspaces. Each building has a different theme.  You can stroll through a cobblestone alley (reminiscent of Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley).  You can tour modern sculpture gardens. Take advantage of the adult jungle gym or sample gourmet food in the cafeteria. Tours of the Epic campus have been put on hold due to COVID-19. But when headquarter tours are re-opened, it’s a worthwhile visit.

Verona Recreation

Verona Beach

You may also hear this area referred to as Firemans Park Beach. This former limestone quarry has been transformed into a summertime haven for families. The water is refreshing, and kids can enjoy two different water slides, diving boards, sandy beaches, and concessions. A lifeguard is on-duty for safety.

Tollefson Park

If you find a home in the Hawthorne Hills subdivision, Tollefson Park will be at your doorstep. This has access to bike trails, a baseball diamond, basketball courts, tennis courts, soccer fields, and playgrounds. Its designated tot-a-lot area is safe for young children to toddle around and play. 

Veterans Park

Looking for another great place to throw a ball around? Veteran’s Park has access to spaces for basketball, tennis, soccer, and softball. Nature enthusiasts can also enjoy the Military Ridge State Trail for hiking. City Bike Loop cycling is accessible from Veterans Park.

Harriet Park

Harriet Park is commonly known as Verona’s most active park. It has your typical soccer, tennis, basketball, and baseball facilities, but it also has a covered staged shelter specifically for local bands to perform. It also has a horseshoe field and an outdoor skating rink.

Hometown USA Community Park

This spot is by far the largest park in the area. It’s home to the Eagles Nest Ice Arena, which hosts year-round skating and hockey. There are plenty of ball fields, a jogging track, and the Verona Skate Park.

Badger Prarie County Park

The Badger Prarie County Park has over 300 acres of land for locals to use. You can hike segments of the Military Ridge State Trail and the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Adventurous weekend warriors can snowshoe and mountain bike. Toss a ball around for your dog at the dog park or with your family in the recreation field. Try out your drone in the aeromodelling field. Bring a pair of binoculars for wildlife viewing.

Sugar River Wildlife Area/ Sugar River Wetlands State Natural Area

Any paddlers out there? This State Natural Area is prime for kayaking or even tubing down a lazy river. If you’re a fisherman, you can bring in a nice haul of trout from this area. Kayakers are likely to see a diverse level of waterfowl during their expedition. You’ll also pass historic cultural markers like the Davidson limestone house and Native American Effigy mounds as you float. 

Verona Community Life

Verona Schools

Verona schools have a strong reputation and are highly rated. There is one high school, two middle schools, four elementary schools, and three charter schools. You can educate yourself on each school by reading these in-depth fact sheets provided by the school board.

Verona Community Life

There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in the Verona community. Kids can stay active with the Treehouse Youth Club, which provides afterschool programs, camps, clubs, and classes. Adults can socialize and stay healthy at the Hawks Landing Golf Club or the Princeton Health Club. You can also get involved with the Verona Community Theatre. Epic employees can contribute to the Epic community garden.

Annual Verona Events

Verona natives look forward to the Hometown Days Festival every June. The event has carnival rides, good food, live music, and more.

Verona Hotspots

Tuvalu Coffee House & Gallery

Tuvalu’s menu has both classic and experimental warm drinks.  Right now, they’re featuring a honey chamomile latte. They’re also known to host local bands, and their walls are studded with local art. Light bites and luscious desserts make Tuvalu the perfect Saturday morning spot.

Sugar River Pizza Co

Their self-described “imaginative pizza” is widely recognized as some of the best in the area. What exactly is imaginative pizza? So, according to their menu, they’ve got a bacon cheeseburger pizza. A taco pizza. A brisket pizza. And so much more. They’ve also mastered the classics. You can’t go wrong with a pepperoni pie from Sugar River.

Homes for Sale in Verona

Think Verona could be the place for you? Check out the local listings.