In 1973, the president of Oregon State University and the president of the Corvallis Chamber of Commerce advanced the idea of a pedestrian connection between OSU, downtown Corvallis and the Willamette River. Madison Avenue was the logical route, since it is one of Corvallis' major shopping streets that also goes past City Hall, Central Park, The Arts Center and connects to the OSU entry gates at 11th Street. A path from the gates leads up to the University's first building, Benton Hall (built in 1889). This route was the traditional connection between the town and the college from the 1890's through the 1950's.

A contest was proposed to generate design ideas and publicize the project. A group of civic leaders, architects, students, residents, neighbors and business owners volunteered to judge the contest. This group evolved into the Madison Avenue Task Force, which began to implement some of the ideas. Steady progress followed, guided by the mission: To create a place for people in the heart of Corvallis.

In 1979, the space in front of The Arts Center was re-designed to create a plaza that has become one of the prime outdoor meeting spaces in the city. This pedestrian-friendly space is the site for a variety of activities including the Annual Spring Garden Festival sponsored by the Madison Avenue Task Force.

Thanks for making the 2010 Spring Garden Festival a HUGE success!!

(Click HERE for more details.)

Join us next year for the fun at the 24rd annual MATF Spring Garden Festival on Sunday, May 1, 2011, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on The Arts Center plaza, 7th and Madison Avenue. Find that special plant or maybe a piece of sculpture for your garden (sorry, the Ballerina is not for sale).