Park Rules

Most parks allow alcohol in a non-breakable container. By ordinance and policy, the following parks are alcohol-free and require an alcohol permit with an advanced shelter or athletic reservation. See Madison General Ordinance 8.24 and a Board of Park Commissioners policy for a full list of parks and details.

Leashed and licensed dogs are allowed in most Madison parks with a permit. A number of parks and areas within a park are designated as dog free, including inside all shelters, all conservation parks, near playgrounds and splash parks. See Dog Free Parks for more information.

Firearms are prohibited where posted. Violators are considered trespassers and may be subject to forfeiture or a park ban.

Fireworks are prohibited in the city of Madison. MGO 25.05: No person shall light, ignite, discharge or set in operation any firework of the type known as a star-producing sparkler in any area owned by the City of Madison, the jurisdiction of which is in the Park Department of the City of Madison, at any time or times when people are assembled to participate in a public picnic, rally, attend a public concert or to witness an exhibition, play, pageant, athletic event or pyrotechnic display. 

Geocaching is a popular outdoor adventure game reminiscent of a scavenger hunt. Geocachers hide containers all over the world and submit geocache listings with GPS coordinates to geocaching.com. Other players use their own GPS device to search for them. Their goal is to visit the posted location, find the cache, sign the logbook inside, and share their experience online. Caches can be hidden almost anywhere, from busy urban settings to the middle of the woods. Geocaching is an acceptable activity in Madison Parks when all guidelines are followed.

Basic Geocaching Guidelines

• Follow all City of Madison Ordinances.
• No digging or disturbing trees, plants or wildlife.
• Be respectful of all public parkland.
• Use only general parklands in the City of Madison.
• Prohibited areas include: Forest Hill Cemetery, Olbrich Botanical Gardens, all conservation parks, all City of Madison golf courses and all areas around burial mounds.

Process for Permission

If you are interested in placing a cache in a City of Madison park, you may submit your geocache listing through geocaching.com. In addition to the Madison Parks’ guidelines, all listings are subject to the geocaching.com guidelines. Geocaching policies may vary in other areas of the state. For more information, see Wisconsin Geocaching Association (WGA).

The WGA is a group of geocachers dedicated to promoting and protecting geocaching within the State of Wisconsin. The WGA organizes geocaching events, works with land owners/managers on geocaching policies, educates the public at-large about geocaching, and facilitates communication between members. While the WGA does not have a direct relationship with geocaching.com and they are not responsible for deciding which geocaches get published, they do work with entities like Madison Parks to establish policies favorable to geocaching.

Email Carson Monroe with questions.

Glass is not allowed in any park.

As part of a pilot program, two grills were added in 2021 near the softball fields in Warner Park. These are available on a first-come, first served basis. Please dispose of coals in the nearby coal receptacle.

Personal grills are allowed in most Madison Parks, with the exception of all conservation parks or if there is a burning ban issued. Follow Madison Fire Department grill guidelines. You are responsible for the safety and the removal of any personal grills brought into a park. Grills may not be left unattended or overnight. For your convenience, at least one coal receptacle is provided at the following parks:

• Brittingham
• Burrows
• Demetral
• Elver
• Garner
• Goodman
• Hiestand
• Hoyt
• James Madison
• Lake Edge
• Marshall
• Olbrich
• Orton
• Penn
• Reindahl
• Rennebohm
• Tenney
• Vilas
• Warner
• Westmorland

General parks are open 4:00am to 10:00pm.

Metal detecting is allowed in most Madison parks and a permit is not required. While there is not a formal ordinance, we ask that you please follow these rules:

• Follow all onsite parking regulation signs.
• Driving or parking motorized vehicles is not allowed on the grass or near a shelter and is subject to a citation.
• Three-hour limit in all parks, as posted.
• No parking after hours: 10pm to 4am.
• Violators are subject to a fine.

Slacklining or hammocking in a park is allowed following the guidelines below at specific times, on specific trees, and never in a conservation park. Always keep in mind, Park Rangers have the authority to remove or order the removal of any slackline or hammock that they deem as harmful to the tree or as a danger to the safety of park users. The best advice, when in doubt, don't. 

Dos and Don'ts

Tethering to trees for the purpose of slacklining or hammocking is allowed following these guidelines:

• DO: Sunrise to 30 minutes prior to sunset
• DO: Temporary only and may never be left unattended or overnight
• DO: Only on trees greater than 1' in diameter and 4.5'
• DO: Tree protect is used at connection points
• DON'T: Never tether on Oak, Hickory or Birch trees
• DON'T: Never in any conservation park

For more information, see Policy & Guidelines.  

Proper Tree Protection

Tree protection is required for tethering any equipment to help prevent damage to the tree's bark. Carpet, foam pads or towels make good protection. Make sure the fabric padding completely encircles the tree at the connection points and is a minimum of ¼" thick by 10" wide. For more information and examples, see  Tree Protection.  

Prohibited Trees

Never tether on an oak, hickory or birch tree. When in doubt, don't. For more information, see Tree Identification. 

When in Doubt, Don't

Park Rangers have the authority to remove or order the removal of any slackline or hammock that they deem as harmful to the tree or as a danger to the safety of park users. 

Leave no trace. Put trash in its place. Use trash and recycle receptacles where provided. In those that do not, please take home all recyclables and trash, including dog waste.

Alcohol is prohibited. 

Bicycles and motorized vehicles are restricted to the entrance roads and parking lots.

Dogs, horses and all pets are prohibited. 

Fires and grilling are prohibited. 

Firearms are prohibited where posted. Violators are considered trespassers and may be subject to forfeiture or a park ban.

Glass is not allowed in any park.

Conservation parks are open 4:00am to one hour after sunset. 

Hunting and trapping are prohibited. 

Metal detecting is prohibited. 

• Follow all onsite parking regulation signs.
• Driving or parking motorized vehicles is not allowed on the grass or near a shelter and is subject to a citation.
• Three-hour limit in all parks, as posted.
• No parking after hours: 10pm to 4am.
• Violators are subject to a fine.

All plants and animals are protected. Disturbance or removal requires written permission. The collection of any natural object, living or non-living, is prohibited per MGO 8.40.”

Slackling and hammocking are prohibited. 

Stay on and use designated trails only.

Leave no trace. Put trash in its place. Use trash and recycle receptacles where provided. In those that do not, please take home all recyclables and trash, including dog waste.