Athletic Fields & Courts
Madison Parks offers multipurpose and specialized fields and courts.
Multipurpose fields are open to use for games such as football, lacrosse, soccer, or ultimate. Specialized fields and courts provide sport-specific amenities such as cricket, lighting, lines, and more.
Most athletic fields and courts are available first-come, first-served if they aren't already reserved. You must reserve fields and courts for leagues, lessons, or tournaments.
Locations
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Review Policies & Projects
- Reservation policies
- Projects: As we continually improve our park system, some projects may affect fields and courts.
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Reserve
To make a reservation, go to the type of field or court you want to reserve.
You can pay by credit card, cash, or check.
- Courts: You must pay in full when making a reservation.
- Fields: 25% payment is due when requesting a reservation. After a request is approved, full payment is due to confirm the reservation. You may not use the field until you receive approval and pay the remaining balance due.
Additional Permits & Reservations
Field or court reservations do not include shelters or other park amenities. You may also need permits based on the type of event you are holding.
- Shelters: If you want to reserve a shelter, visit Shelters.
- Special Events: If you want to reserve the entire park, or if you want to have vendors at your event, visit Special Events.
- Special Use: Special use permits are required for amplified sound, temporary structures, and alcohol in an alcohol-free park. You can buy these permits when making your reservation.
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After Reserving
- Verify all information on your receipt and immediately notify Madison Parks of any errors.
- Read all accompanying attachments. You must follow all park rules.
- If you need a temporary structure permit, you must contact the Diggers Hotline and return the completed application before your reservation.
Changes & Cancelations
- You must request changes or cancelations at least 11 days before your reservation date. We do not provide refunds for requests sent 10 days or fewer before the reservation date.
- To request a change, call the Parks Lakeside Offices at 608-266-4711.
- To request a cancelation, send your request in writing to either:
- Email: parksathletics@cityofmadison.com
- Mail:
Madison Parks - Cancelations
330 E. Lakeside Street
Madison, WI 53715
| Number of Days Before the Event | Change Date or Location | Cancel |
|---|---|---|
| 28+ | 85% credit transfer (see Credits) | 75% refund |
| 11 - 27 | 75% credit transfer (see Credits) | 50% refund |
| 10 or fewer | No credit or refund | No refund |
| Undesirable Weather* | No credit or refund | No refund |
Credits
All credits on your account must be used by October 15 of the year issued. After October 15, credits will be removed from your account.
Weather & Hazardous Conditions
If the National Weather Service issues a Watch, Warning, or Advisory, or there are hazardous conditions on fields or courts on the day of your reservation and you do not use the space, you may submit a refund request in writing within three (3) business days after your event.
Requests that meet the criteria will receive an 85% refund and 15% credit on your account (good through October 15 of the year issued).
Closed Fields
Fields listed as closed are under rehabilitation to improve playing conditions. During this rehabilitation period, maintenance efforts are increased and may include overseeding, herbicide treatments, aerification, and fertilizer applications, among other methods.
Multipurpose fields closed in 2026:
- Badger
- Brittingham (fields 1, 2)
- Lucia Crest
- Walnut Grove (fields 1, 2, 3)
Additional fields may be temporarily closed throughout the season as needed for quick repairs or other maintenance.
Fields may be closed due to inclement weather (current or predicted), ground conditions, or for any other reason deemed necessary by Madison Parks.
If a field reservation is canceled, a notification is emailed to the user who made the field reservation. Notifications are sent by 2:00pm, Monday through Friday and by 9:00am on weekends and holidays.
Tournaments & Leagues
If you are planning to organize a tournament, you must complete the Special Event in a Park packet. If you are planning to start a new league, you must first discuss your proposal with Madison Parks, as well as discuss the reservation fees.
Lighting
Lighting, where available, is required after sunset for your safety. Lights are charged per use, regardless of the length of time your reservation goes past sunset. Please review the price table to see the cost of lighting.
Vendors
A request to vend during an athletic reservation may require a Park Event permit. Please contact the Community Events team at madisonevents@cityofmadison.com or 608-264-9289 if you are planning on selling anything in a Madison park.
Damage
If there is damage to the field or court, you will be charged $50/hour plus the cost of materials.
Priority Scheduling
Public reservations begin the third Monday in February each year. Prior to that date, there are two weeks of priority scheduling, beginning on the first and second Mondays in February, with eligibility determined by reservations made in the previous calendar year.
We typically send notifications of priority eligibility in late January.
Eligibility Criteria
Household accounts that meet one criterion will be offered one week of priority scheduling ahead of the public reservation start date. Accounts that meet two or more criteria will be offered two weeks of priority scheduling.
- Athletic reservations of 200 to 400 hours in duration
- Athletic reservations of more than 400 hours in duration
- Any athletic reservations in one of these parks: Aldo Leopold, Allied, Arbor Hills, Badger, Berkley, Cypress Spray, De Volis, Elver, Greentree-Chapel Hills, Hammersley, Lerdahl, Lucy Lincoln Hiestand, Meadowood, Marlborough, Newville (Kenneth), Owl Creek, Penn, Pilgrim, Rimrock, Sheridan Triangle, Warner, or Worthington
- Household account is tax-exempt