Help Us Bring More Life to Madison's Parks

Parks make life better. They provide places to play, exercise, relax and connect with nature. Parks positively contribute to our social, mental and physical wellbeing while helping to create a sense of community that makes Madison such a special place to live. When people gather in parks, communities grow stronger. 

That's why Madison Parks is looking for creative partners to activate and enhance our park system through recreational, educational and placemaking activities. To do this, we've released the Recreational Services and Placemaking Request for Proposals on VendorNet and on DemandStar. The deadline to submit proposals is September 1, 2026.

Image credit: Liz Zimdars

Bringing New Ideas to Park Spaces

Not every park is a “field of dreams" where people automatically show up simply because a space exists. Sometimes people need an invitation. Activities, programs, concessions and unique experiences can help create that invitation by encouraging residents to explore a park they may never have visited before. Across the park system, there are opportunities to introduce new activities that give people a reason to spend more time outdoors while connecting with neighbors. 

We're seeking entrepreneurs, groups, nonprofit organizations and businesses with creative ideas that can activate parks and positively enhance visitors' experiences. 

Areas of Interest  

• Concessions and food service
• Equipment rentals
• Nature-based education
• Recreational instruction and programming
• Outdoor fitness and wellness activities
• Arts and cultural programming
• Innovative placemaking concepts
• Other unique activities that bring people together in parks

Madison Parks already has established processes for short-term events such as races and festivals, as well as private events. This opportunity is different. We're looking for proposals that may be longer-term in nature and don't fit neatly into our existing permit processes. Successful projects will help attract positive activity in parks, increase outdoor recreation opportunities and create welcoming spaces for residents and visitors. 

Goals of the Program

• Bringing diverse groups of people together
• Increase time spent outdoors
• Complement existing park uses
• Support equity and inclusion
• Activate underutilized park spaces

Successful proposals must be self-supported financially, including any capital improvements and will be reviewed annually. 

How to Apply

The application and details of the Request for Proposals can be found at VendorNet and on DemandStar. The deadline to submit your proposal is September 1, 2026.

Do you have a creative concept that can help make your parks more vibrant, welcoming and engaging? We want to hear from you! Let's build something together.