Dudgeon School Park
| Address: | 3200 Monroe St. |
| Hours: | 4:00am - 10:00pm |
| Park Type:> | Mini |
| Acres: | 1.64 |
| Restroom: | No |
| Drinking Water: | No |
Park History
Source: Historic Madison, Inc.Dudgeon Park on Monroe Street is named after Richard Ball Dudgeon, who served as superintendent of Madison's public schools from 1891 to 1920. Born in 1853, he graduated from the UW in 1876, then headed the Hudson and Menomonie school districts before returning to Madison. The present-day Wingra School on Monroe Street, built between 1926 and 1928, was originally named after him (he died in 1922).
Madison's educational environment was significantly different during Dudgeon's tenure. In September 1900, for example, he reported that only 57% of Madison students had attended school the previous year. Due to overcrowding, he called for a new high school to be built. The school budget for the year was $54,765.20; the cost per pupil was $16.63.
Richard's father, Richard Sr., was a missionary to the Indian tribes of western Wisconsin and Minnesota. Reverend Dudgeon was known for reciting the Old Testament aloud in Greek from memory while traveling his circuit by buggy. His wife, Deliverance "Della" Ball, was related to Mary Ball, the mother of George Washington.
Their daughter, Sarah, was married to Emanuel James Baskerville. He came to Madison in 1893 to accept the pastorate of the First Methodist Episcopal Church. He also conducted services in the Sixth Ward school at Jenifer and Brearly streets, and in a chapel which stood on the site of the Sixth Ward branch library. He was pastor there from 1893 to 1898, then moved to Detroit. Three years later he returned to Madison and engaged in evangelistic work until he retired and went into real estate. He was owner of the Baskerville Apartments at South Hamilton and West Doty streets, and established Baskerville Park on the west shore of Lake Mendota.
Mark Gajewski
At this Park
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Basketball Court
Madison Parks ranks #1 in the nation for the number of basketball hoops per resident, come check out the hoops in your neighborhood! Most of the basketball courts are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are planning a new league or tournament see Athletic Field Reservations.
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Dudgeon School Park - Basketball Court
Surface: Asphalt
Lighted: No
Number of Courts:
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Open Field
Madison Parks are a unique blend of active recreation and passive recreation spaces. Open Fields are just that - open, not pre-designed as a softball diamond, or football field. These open fields are available in these parks to spark your imagination, play a game of tag, or follow the leader - or anything you can think of! Enjoy your parks!
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Dudgeon School Park - Open Field Games
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Playground
With more than 175 playgrounds throughout Madison, you are never too far from a playground. According to the Trust for Public Land, Madison ranks #1 in the nation for the number of playgrounds available. The traditional swings and slides are always an option, as are new play elements and fully accessible playgrounds.
PLAYGROUNDS FOR EVERYONE
Through the Madison Parks Foundation initiative, Madison Parks offers accessible playgrounds in Brittingham, Elver, Rennebohm and Warner parks. An accessible playground is anticipated in Reindahl Park in the near future.
PLAYGROUND REPLACEMENTS: HOW AND WHEN
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Madison Parks is responsible for maintaining more than 175 playgrounds and began a system-wide replacement initiative in 2013. With current staff and funding resources, replacements are scheduled to continue through 2033. Playgrounds are routinely inspected to assess the equipment's conditions and repair any safety concerns. Based on the age of the equipment and current conditions, each is given an audit score. The number of playgrounds replaced each year is based on budget allocations, staffing resources, and using the current playground audit score for prioritization.
REPLACEMENT PROCESS: NEIGHBORHOOD INPUT
At the start of the replacement process, notices are sent to the District Alder, neighborhood association representatives, and surrounding residential addresses. Information is also posted to the project website. Generally, two public meetings are held to review surfacing and equipment options and make final selections.
If you have questions about a specific playground or see something broken, please let us know.-
Dudgeon School Park - Playground
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