All Madison Parks are open with some adjustments and closures in place until further notice. We continue to follow Forward Dane and are evaluating the best way to safely open park amenities. This page will be updated as new information is received and decisions are made. (Updated 07/08/2020)

NOTE: Due to limited staffing resources, visitors may see a service level disruption. We appreciate your patience and understanding, as we allocate the limited resources as best as we are able. We recognize these difficult decisions related to services impact our community and they are not easy to make.

PRECAUTIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS

Now more than ever, parks and open spaces play a critical role in our mental and physical wellbeing. Help us keep parks open by following these overall precautions and recommendations when spending time outside. Plan your visit by reviewing the individual facility or amenity listed below under the OPEN section and select the provided links for more information.

• Plan ahead. Use the restroom before you leave your home and bring your own water.
• When at the park, maintain a physical distance of at least six feet from people outside of your household.
• After touching common surfaces, use hand sanitizer or when available, wash your hands with soap and water.
• Avoid crowded locations. Consider an alternate entrance, if available or another park.
• Clean and disinfect frequently used surfaces and objects, such as picnic tables, before using.
• As always, do not litter. Put trash in a receptacle, when available or take it with you.

Additional recommendations by Public Health Madison & Dane County:

• If you feel sick, stay home.
• Wear a cloth face-covering when in public.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cough or sneeze in your elbow. 

CLOSED

• Drinking Fountains - due to limited staff resources, all drinking fountains remain closed. This may change once priority facilities are reopened. 
• Field Reservations and Contact Sports - under the Forward Dane Plan Phase 2 medium and high-risk contact field sports are not allowed. See Sports - Phase 2 for clarifications. Contact parksathletics@cityofmadison.com with questions.
• Restrooms - Lower-use locations remain closed for now due to limited staffing and as we evaluate the first re-openings in high-use park locations (see OPEN below).
• Splash Parks - While allowed to reopen under Public Health Madison & Dane County Forward Dane Phase 2 Emergency Orders, the opening date will depend upon resources available to support. 
• Goodman Pool - opening July 15
• Warner Park Community Recreation Center 
• Administration Office - staff is available by email or by leaving a phone message. Many services are available online.  
  Location: City-County Building, 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Room 104. 
  Online Services: shelter reservations, special events, permits, canoe/kayak storage 
  Phone: (608) 266-4711 (please leave a message) Email: parks@cityofmadison.com
• Forest Hill Cemetery - staff is available by appointment only. 
  Location: 1 Speedway Road 
  Phone: (608) 266-4720
  Email: foresthillcemetery@cityofmadison.com

• Goodman Maintenance Facility 
  Location: 1402 Wingra Creek Pkwy 
  Phone: (608) 266-4711 
  Email: parks@cityofmadison.com

OPEN

The following park facilities and amenities are open with adjustments and precautions. Follow guidelines as outlined under PRECAUTIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS above and posted onsite including physical distancing from people outside of your household, and avoiding direct contact with common touchpoints.

Restrooms

See RESTROOMS for open locations. 

• Help us keep restrooms OPEN AND CLEAN. Put trash in receptacles.   
• Based on restroom size, this may mean one person at a time or every other stall. 

Olbrich Botanical Gardens  

Review THINGS TO KNOW before your visit.

Playgrounds 

Shelters

Under Forward Dane, mass gatherings are allowed with limitations and shelters are available on a first-come, first-served basis only. We are not taking shelter reservations through July 31.

• Outdoor gatherings are limited to no more than 25 people. 
• Indoor gatherings are limited to no more than 10 people.
• Do not share food and beverages. Avoid serving food as a buffet, potluck or family-style.

Basketball Courts

• Play with members of your immediate household only
• Pickup games are not allowed with persons outside of your immediate household since it is not possible to maintain 6ft physical distancing.

Beaches

Similar to general parks and outdoor spaces, beaches are open with physical distancing. A beach will be listed as open once swim ropes are in place, the beach area is cleaned by staff, AND water quality testing results, performed by Public Health Madison & Dane County are acceptable. The following adjustments and precautions are in place until further notice:  

• No lifeguards are on duty.
• No restrooms are currently open. We are evaluating the best way to safely open restrooms with limited staffing resources. 

Skatepark 

• No more than 60 people in the skate park at one time.

Tennis and Pickleball Courts

• Avoid direct contact with share equipment, game balls, and others such as paddle tapping (pickleball) and hand contact.
• Bring a full personal-use water bottle, drinking fountains are not available.
• Avoid congregating off-court.
• No organized groups: including lessons, team practices, or matches. 

Disc Golf

• Purchase and show proof of a daily or annual permit.
  • Available online only: cityofmadison.com/parks/permits
• Do not gather in groups or congregate before or after play.
  • Max 4 players per hole.
• Retrieve disc without touching the basket.
• Do not share equipment.

Off-Leash Dog Parks

• Purchase daily or annual permit online only. Onsite kiosks are temporarily unavailable. 

Community Gardens

• Gardeners should practice social distancing and bring their own tools.
• More information: Dept. of Health Services 

Boat Launches

Piers are installed at Marshall, Olbrich, Olin, Tenney and Warner.

• Purchase daily or annual permit online only. Onsite kiosks are temporarily unavailable. 

Golf Courses

All four City courses are open with adjustments. Learn more about what to expect and how to reserve.

Paths and Trails

Tips for Walking and Running

• When in busy areas, walk single file lines or with just one child when out with household members. 
• Avoid stopping on the path as it makes it hard for other users to pass safely, step off to an area off the path. 
• When walking with your dog, please keep it under control and away from other users.

Tips for Bicycling and Rolling

• Ride cautiously and within your ability level. 
• Do not forget to let others know you are passing. 
• Only pass when you can maintain 6 feet of distance from other users. 
• Do not pass in between people walking in opposite directions. 
• No group riding or rolling with people outside your household.
• When active with household members, keep your group small. 

View Forward Dane for more information.