Ribbon Cutting Set For Frautschi Family Accessible Playground at Warner Park

Warner Park joins Brittingham and Elver parks, with the third accessible playground officially opening on Wednesday, August 16 at 11:00am with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Join Madison Parks, the Madison Parks Foundation and other City leaders in celebrating the new accessible and inclusive playground at Warner Park named for the Frautschi Family.

Located near the Warner Park shelter, visitors will see an increase in the number of handicapped and van-accessible parking stalls, well as a Disability Pride “lightning bolt” symbol added near the playground’s parking lot entrance. This accessible playground features a poured-in-place rubber surfacing with a concrete curb surround for greater wheelchair movement and roll-in access. The playground area is surrounded by fencing and offers two entrances/exits. More than 50 unique play features include a wheelchair-accessible swing, allowing visitors to swing without dismounting, touch and play musical panels, and communication boards – selected by Madtown Mommas & Disability Advocates. The boards are useful for non-verbal and lesser verbal visitors and can be used by pointing to items of interest or needs such as the slide, swings or restrooms.

The playground is named for the Frautschi family in recognition of their leadership and generosity to the project. The Frautschi family has been deeply rooted in Madison since 1867, when the family emigrated from Switzerland. Their extraordinary philanthropy is felt across our community with their gifts of the Overture Center, Concerts on the Square, Frautschi Point on Lake Mendota and many others. Their generosity continues with the gift of an accessible playground at Warner Park, allowing people of all abilities to enjoy Madison’s parks.

Other key donors to the project include the Oscar Rennebohm Foundation, Jenni & Kyle Foundation, Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation, Evjue Foundation, Madison Community Foundation and Festival Foods.

Join Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, members of the Frautschi family and others as we celebrate with a short program and ribbon cutting on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 11:00 am at Warner Park, 2930 N. Sherman Avenue.

The Madison Parks Foundation continues its efforts in making positive impacts in our community and in our parks. Their vision is to make it easier than ever for all people to feel welcome in and enjoy Madison’s 280+ public parks and greenspaces. Making our parks “accessible” means addressing physical, cognitive, and socioeconomic obstacles that keep people from reaching and enjoying our parks.

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