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Hiestand Park

Hiestand Park
Address: 4302 Milwaukee St.
Hours: 4:00am - 10:00pm
Park Type:> Community
Acres: 46.27
Restroom: Yes
Drinking Water: Yes

Park History

Hiestand Park, which has grown to 57 acres from a few acres in 1970, is named for the Hiestand family whose farm was just south of Milwaukee Street. The Hiestand family is important in agricultural history because Jacob R. Hiestand, who was born in Ohio in 1823, was the first to successfully grow tobacco as a cash crop in Wisconsin.
From the Wisconsin State Journal "Just Ask Us"


Q: Why is Hiestand Park on Milwaukee Street more often referred to Radar Hill?

A: Hiestand Park and Woods are the central focus of the Hiestand neighborhood on Madison's far east side, developed in the 1970s. The hill in Hiestand Park has legendary status among sledders, a fact noted on several websites that list the best sledding hills in the area.

According to the Hiestand Neighborhood Association Plan of 2006, which includes a well-written history, "Radar Hill" gets its name because it was once the site of the "Truax Communications Facility Annex," the highest point of Hiestand Park. It was used for many years by the federal government for operations by the U.S. Air Force.

In 1972, the 8.13-acre site was declared surplus. The city won with its bid over Madison Area Technical College, to turn it into a park. In 1979, the city bought more acreage and today the park, including the popular sledding hill, totals 57.8 acres of park and open space. READ MORE

At this Park