James Madison Park
614 E Gorham St, Madison, WI 53703
4am-10pm
608.266.4711
Located on the shoreline of Lake Mendota, James Madison Park packs quite the punch. With an area of 13 acres, the city of Madison stuffed all they could get into it. Aside from the beach, there are basketball courts, volleyball courts, a DIY bicycle station, a playground with restrooms, friendly to slacklining and hammocking as well as fishing, and there is even a launch site and storage for your canoe or kayak. If you wanted to host an event at the park, there is a shelter with the ability to reserve and rent. Contact the Parks Administrative Office to acquire an alcohol permit to drink at James Madison Park.
Tenney Park
402 N Thornton Ave, Madison, WI 53703
4am-10pm
608.266.4711
Tenney Park is expansive at 38 acres with a shoreline on Lake Mendota and Yahara River. With all the same activities as James Madison Park, Tenney has even more to offer. With canoe and kayak rental thanks to city partners, Tenney provides a pickleball court, soccer field, and tennis court. There is also a big open field in the event you just want to lay in the grass. During the winter, come ice skating with rentals available Wednesday through Sunday. No reservation required! The John Wall Pavilion is equipped with city wifi at no charge. At the time of election season, Tenney serves as a polling station.
Hoyt Park
3902 Regent St, Madison, WI
4am-10pm
608.266.4711
Before being a city park, Hoyt was a quarry. Contrary to John Madison and Tenney, there is no shoreline, and it is off the beaten path. A more peaceful and detached park allows parkgoers to find peace and tranquility on twenty-two and a half acres. Unlike the previously mentioned parks, Hoyt offers stone twelve fireplaces and snowshoeing with a scenic overlook. The grassy prairie with young and old vegetation will appeal to the naturalists. Restrooms and potable water available.
Olin & Turville Point Conservation Park
1202 Olin-Turville Ct, Madison, WI 53715
4am-10pm
608.266.4711
Olin Park presents some of Madison’s most remarkable sights. On Lake Monona banks, the refurbished pavilion is available for reservation and can host about one-hundred-fifty guests. Centrally located, Olin is easily accessible from the Beltline, Capital City, and Wingra bike trails and bus routes. Neighboring Olin is Turville Point Conservation. Enjoy cross-country skiing and wonderous nature hikes on the 47 acres of contiguous park.
Vilas (Henry) Park
702 S Randall Ave, Madison, WI 53715
4am-10pm
608.266.4711
One of the eldest parks in Madison, Vilas runs alongside the northern coast of Lake Wingra. With pleasant sand beaches to fish and swim in, they double as a place to ice skate in the winter. Vilas has pleasure activities all year long for every age. Bordering Vilas park is the UW Arboretum and the Henry Vilas Zoo. The city of Madison wants to hear the citizens’ voice as there is a master plan in place for Vilas Henry. Visit Park Projects and speak your opinion about what you love and what you want to change.
Elver park
1250 McKenna Blvd., Madison, WI 53719
4am-10pm
608.266.4711
Located on Madison’s southwest quadrant, the biggest park covering 250 acres has everything—most notable for their lit sledding hills and splash park. During the winter months, the west trails provide lighted cross-country skiing trails. Be sure to get your permit before driving out, as one is required for every trail and is weather pending. Be sure to enjoy the all-abilities playground during the summer. Elver is a madison polling location, so save yourself the excursion during election season as the park is closed.
Warner park
2930 N Sherman Ave, Madison, WI 53704
4am-10pm
608.266.4711
On Madison’s northeast by lake Mendota, warner is proud to house the Northwoods league Madison mallards’ baseball stadium. The “duck pond” was raised in 1982 and can seat 6,750 fans. When the mallards are not playing, warner hosts charity events and community festivals. Bordering warner is an off-leash dog park. Additionally, warner has a field dedicated solely to ultimate frisbee, so this is the park to organize a game. Enjoy a free, guided bird and nature outing that occurs monthly. Be sure to keep your car parked off the grass and away from yellow curbs. When the parking lot is full, it is required to find another means of parking, so be sure to arrive early for the Mallard’s game!
