Celebrate Madison’s Parks at the 9th Annual Picnic in the Park
Madison Parks Foundation invites the community to its 9th Annual Picnic in the Park, a beloved fundraising tradition returning on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Warner Park Community Recreation Center (WPCRC), 1625 Northport Dr. Tickets are still available for purchase!
This year's celebration takes guests back to the 1980s with an 80s-inspired prom theme, complete with era-inspired décor, music, and a night full of nostalgia — all in support of Madison's parks.
Evening Highlights
- Live music from The Breakfast Club Band
- An audience-engaging program with a few surprises in store for guests
- A specialty dinner prepared by a lineup of celebrated local chefs:
- Lauren Montelbano (The Vibrant Veg)
- Kyle Julius (Chef at Large)
- Evan Dannells (Cadre & Lola's Madison)
- Patrick O'Halloran (The Deliciouser)
- Sean Pharr (Mint Mark)
- Mickey Walker (Heirloom Bakery)
- A paddle raise to directly benefit the KNOW (Kids Need Opportunities at Warner) program, which serves youth in the Warner Park community
Proceeds from the event support the Madison Parks Foundation's mission of sustaining and strengthening Madison's 297-park system. As one of the only major parks systems in the country without a city-funded Recreation Department, MPF's private fundraising is essential to keeping parks and recreation programming accessible to all residents. Ninety cents of every dollar donated goes directly to accessible playgrounds and pathways at our beaches and important programs like KNOW (Kids Need Opportunities at Warner) and the Access to Swimming Scholarships at Goodman Pool.
This year's Picnic in the Park is presented by Event Essentials, whose fabulous productions have helped bring this celebration to life year after year. The evening is made possible thanks to additional generous support from sponsors including Stafford Rosenbaum LLP, Woodland Tools, Grand Appliance, and Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison.
About the Madison Parks Foundation
The Madison Parks Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the official fiduciary partner to the City of Madison Parks Division. Tracing its roots to the Madison Park and Pleasure Drive Association, founded in 1892 by John Olin and Edward Owen, MPF works to preserve, protect, and enhance Madison's parks for generations to come.