Burrows Park
25 Burrows Rd.Madison, WI 53704 Directions
Acres: 10.56
Nestled on the shores of Lake Mendota near Maple Bluff, Burrows Park features a rustic park shelter with stunning lake views, playground, and a historical Native American Burial mound. The park is often used by a local sailing club to store and launch their boats. The restroom facility was renovated in 2010.
In September 2018, the Board of Park Commissioners designated the shoreline at Burrows Park as the Grant Frautschi Shoreline in recognition and appreciation for his inspiration, leadership, and dedication of service to Madison Parks Foundation, Madison Parks and the City of Madison.
Alternate address: 2102 Sherman Avenue
Parking:
- Vehicle parking is not allowed along Harbort St and Burrows Rd.
- The parking lot is typically closed during the winter season.
At this Park
Athletic Fields & Courts
Most athletic fields and courts are available first-come, first-served. You must reserve fields and courts online for leagues, lessons, or tournaments.
Multipurpose Field
1 field
Multipurpose Fields are reservable athletic fields with no game-specific design or limitations. Often used for soccer, ultimate, lacrosse or football, yet open to your imagination. They may be used on a first-come, first-served basis if not already reserved.
Canoe and Kayak Storage
Store your canoe, kayak, or paddleboard. All storage racks are outdoors and uncovered.
Fireplace
Remember to bring your own wood and extinguish the fire completely before leaving the park. Review fireplace rules.
Fishing
People 16 years and older need a fishing license from the Wisconsin DNR.
Eating fish can be a delicious, low-cost, and nutritious meal. However, eating certain fish can also be harmful because they may contain mercury, PCBs, or PFAS. Learn more at Public Health Fish Advisories.
Native American Burial Mound
Location: east of parking lot
Built: ca. 700 - 1200 A.D.
Description: On a rise just east of the Burrows Park parking lot is a straight-winged bird effigy mound with a wingspan of about 128 feet. A "running fox" mound used to exist north of the bird. The bird effigy was restored in 1934 by removing tree stumps, repairing mutilations caused by vandals and resodding.
The bird, in the religious beliefs of the mound builders, probably symbolized sky spirits; mounds described in the past as "lizards" may have represented water spirits, and bears and other animals may have represented people and other creatures that lived on the earth's surface.
The Burrows Park Burial Mound and Campsite was designated a City of Madison landmark on May 19, 1975 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The mounds are considered sacred by modern Native Americans and should be treated with respect.
Playground
With 160+ playgrounds throughout Madison, you are never too far from a playground. Playground design and amenities vary by park.
Restrooms
Open
restroom building separate from the park shelter
In 2026, restrooms are open April 25 – early October.
Shelter
Please review reservation policies, shelter prices, and current park projects before reserving.