Park & Open Space Plan

Madison residents have recognized the importance of park and open spaces for over 130 years. Parks serve an important role in the community’s ecosystem and provide opportunities for residents to connect with the area’s natural resources. Parks also improve the physical, mental and social well-being of the city’s residents and are an important part of the cultural fabric of the community. Well-planned and programmed parks create gathering spaces and recreational opportunities with fewer barriers for residents. Today, the City of Madison Parks Division has over 290 parks and manages 5,700 acres of parkland, and over 95% of residents live within a 10-minute walk from a park. 

2025-2030 Park & Open Space Plan

The 2025-2030 Park and Open Space Plan (POSP) serves as the Parks Division’s five-year strategic plan. The POSP was developed under the guidance and oversight of the Parks Long Range Planning Subcommittee and approved by the Board of Park Commissioners. The POSP is adopted as a supplement to the City of Madison Comprehensive Plan and is required for participation in state and federal grant programs. An analysis of park land inventory was completed, and the POSP incorporates public feedback received, analyzes park use and trends in recreation, and takes into account overall City, County and State planning efforts to determine park and recreation needs for the community.

Previous Park & Open Space Plans

2018-2023 Park and Open Space Plan

• 2018-2023 Park and Open Space Plan
• Accepted by Common Council: October 30, 2018
• Legislative File ID No.: 52928

The 2018-2023 Park and Open Space Plan (POSP) was adopted by the City of Madison Common Council on October 30, 2018. The purpose of the POSP is to serve as a long range planning guide for decisions made by City Boards and Commissions, City agencies and staff. It is a tool used to guide decisions for a variety of Park and Open Space issues such as city policies, park acquisitions, facility development, as well as park funding. The POSP is also a necessary component to be eligible for Federal and State grants.

This plan is the culmination of an intensive planning and public input process which began in May 2016 and was guided by the Long Range Planning Subcommittee of the Park Commission, the advisory committee to this plan. The Park and Open Space Plan engagement process incorporated various methods to increase opportunities for public participation. These included hosting community visioning sessions, workshops, surveys, focus group discussions, and requests for input through comment cards distributed at various park events, community centers, libraries, and public meetings. Results from the Imagine Madison Comprehensive Plan engagement process related specifically to park and open space improvements are incorporated into this plan. These planning and public input gathering efforts are unprecedented and have provided an extensive inventory and analysis of the existing and future City of Madison park system.

2012-2017 Park and Open Space Plan

2012 - 2017 Park and Open Space Plan Adopted May 15, 2012