BEST VIEWS IN TOWN!
Some of the best views in town may be found in a Madison park.  Take in a year-round sunrise or sunset from the shores of Lake Monona and Mendota at any one of more than a dozen beaches. 

BEACH SEASON
Beach swimming season is typically Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. This is when PHMDC tests the lake water quality and Parks staff clean and maintain 12 designated beaches. Swimming ropes are provided at a number of the beaches. 

RESTROOMS
Beach restrooms are open daily approx. 11am to 7pm, May 27 - Sept. 8. This is an extended season, due to the weather and staffing availability to continue daily cleaning. See RESTROOMS to view locations.  

LAKE WATER QUALITY
Public Health Madison & Dane County performs lake water quality testing typically from Memorial Day through Labor Day. In 2023, due to warmer temps are expected into early September. For this reason and in partnership with Madison Parks, PHMDC is extending water quality testing through at least Sept. 8 for designated City of Madison beaches. 

Water quality test results are automatically posted on this page with "OK" or "CLOSED." If CLOSED, the beach area and park remain open but the water is closed for swimming. If OK, the water quality is approved for swimming, however, it does not mean a lifeguard is on duty. 

RULES
Dogs are prohibited in all designated beach areas. Before your beach visit, please read the RULES. 

• Marshall Beach

  Public Health Water Testing:

  Closed

  Address: 2101 Allen Blvd.
  Restroom: Yes
  Drinking Water: Yes
  Parking: Parking Lot
  Amenities: Boat Ramp, Canoe/Kayak Rental, Concessions, Picnic Tables, Playground, Volleyball
  
  Swim Ropes: No
  Lifeguard: No
  
  Marshall Beach Details

LAUNCH AREA PARKING RULES AND TIPS (Ordinance 8.16):

• Long stalls are for parking vehicles with trailers only. 
• Regular-size stalls are for parking vehicles with no trailer only. 
• Parking on the grass is prohibited.
• When the launch parking lot is full, you must find an alternative launch site
• Violators are subject to a citation. 

PERMIT-FREE DAYS
In partnership with Dane County Parks, a Lake Access Permit is NOT required on the following days: 

• Saturday - Sunday, January 21-22, 2023 
• Saturday - Sunday, June 3-4, 2023 

• Marshall Park - Boat Launch

  Location: 2101 Allen Blvd.
  Lake Access Permit Required: Yes
  

Sailboat mooring spaces are available to rent from May 1 through October 20 annually. These spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Any additional names will be placed on a waiting list. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications for mooring spaces.  

For more information or to rent a mooring space, please call (608) 266-4711 or email watercraftstorage@cityofmadison.com. 

2023 Rental Fees (tax included):
$950 Madison Resident
$1,350 Non-Resident

• Marshall Park - Boat Mooring

  Notes: The Marshall Park mooring field has 30 sailboat spaces available for rent. Please call to check availability.

Interested in getting out on one of Madison's lakes but you don't have your own watercraft? No problem! We have partners at locations throughout the city offering these great lake amenities!

• Madison Boats at Marshall Park

  Telephone: (608) 228-8333
  More Information: Madison Boats at Marshall Park
  Notes: Available: Pontoon Boats, single and tandem kayaks, stand up paddleboards, canoes, pizza and ice cream.

Watercraft Storage Spaces 

• You may be placed on our waitlist at no charge by calling (608) 266-4711 or EMAIL. Please include your name, phone number, email address, and any order of preferences on storage location.
• Current users will be able to renew their watercraft storage beginning in late winter/early spring each year and must renew by April 1.
• As spaces become available, those on the waitlist will be contacted after April 1 and given the opportunity to reserve a space.  

• Watercraft must not exceed 100 pounds, 18' length, 42" width or 24" height.
• Storage is for permitted watercraft only. No personal property.
• Watercraft must be secured to the boat storage rack. The owner accepts all liability for theft or damage to their property.
• Parks Staff reserves the right to cut any lock and remove any watercraft, under any condition it deems necessary for the function of the boat storage program.
• View all Agreement Rules.

• Brittingham & Wingra Parks: Madison Boats
• Olbrich Park: Rutabaga Paddlesports

Parking Lot News

• Monday, August 21: Gates of Heaven and James Madison Park
• Friday, August 25: Olbrich Biergarten and Rutabaga
• Monday, August 28: Wingra Park, followed by Brittingham Park (Madison Boats) and shelter
• Wednesday, August 30: Tenney Park
• Wednesday, Sept. 6: Vilas Park at Henry Vilas Zoo

Parking Rules

• Driving or parking motorized vehicles is not allowed on the grass or near a shelter and is subject to a citation.
• Three-hour limit in all parks, as posted.
• No parking after hours: 10pm to 4am. Overnight parking is not allowed. 
• Conservation park hours are 4am until one hour after sunset
• Follow all onsite parking regulation signs.
• Violators are subject to a fine.

With more than 175 playgrounds throughout Madison, you are never too far from a playground. According to the Trust for Public Land, Madison ranks #1 in the nation for the number of playgrounds available. The traditional swings and slides are always an option, as are new play elements and fully accessible playgrounds. 

PLAYGROUNDS FOR EVERYONE
Through the Madison Parks Foundation initiative, Madison Parks offers all-inclusive playgrounds in Brittingham, Elver and Warner parks.  The Foundation has a goal of 5 fully accessible playgrounds. 

PLAYGROUND REPLACEMENTS: HOW AND WHEN
Madison Parks is responsible for maintaining more than 175 playgrounds and began a system-wide replacement initiative in 2013. With current staff and funding resources, replacements are scheduled to continue through 2033. Playgrounds are routinely inspected to assess the equipment's conditions and repair any safety concerns. Based on the age of the equipment and current conditions, each is given an audit score. The number of playgrounds replaced each year is based on budget allocations, staffing resources, and using the current playground audit score for prioritization. 

REPLACEMENT PROCESS: NEIGHBORHOOD INPUT
At the start of the replacement process, notices are sent to the District Alder, neighborhood association representatives, and surrounding residential addresses. Information is also posted to the project website. Generally, two public meetings are held to review surfacing and equipment options and make final selections.

If you have questions about a specific playground or see something broken, please let us know. 

• Marshall Park - Playground

OPEN RESTROOMS
Listed on this page are restrooms open daily, approximately 10am to 8pm. All other restrooms are CLOSED. 

SPRING THROUGH FALL

• April - October
  • Restrooms throughout the park system are open seasonally from mid/late April through early to late October. The systemwide process of opening/closing restrooms takes several weeks and depends on the weather and staffing. 
• Daily 10am to 8pm
  • Open restrooms are listed on the page and open daily approx. 10am to 8pm.  
  • Beach restrooms are also open daily, approx. 10am to 8pm from May 27 through September 4, 2023. *This date may be extended based on seasonal staff availability to maintain daily cleaning. See BEACHES for any season updates.*

• Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North
• Elver Park enclosed shelter
• Owen Conservation Park
• Tenney Park at the John Wall Family Pavilion
• Warner Park boat launch

• Marshall Park

  OPEN
  
  Notes: In separate building near reservable pavilion.

• Marshall Park Boat Launch

  OPEN

Madison Parks offers larger shelters and pavilions perfect for a casual event, staff retreat or celebration. Most are available to reserve from mid-April through mid-October, with a few exceptions as noted below. The Shelter Reservations Guide provides details on seating capacities, and amenities such as outlets, fireplaces, and picnic tables. Reservations may be made online, in person or by phone. Please follow these helpful steps when making a reservation. 

Important Notes: 

• Full payment, by credit card only is due at the time of processing your reservation
• Any required permits, such as amplified sound, or alcohol are required at the time of processing.    
• All reservations are subject to our standard cancellation policy. 
• 2024 reservations open Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
  • IMPORTANT: For reservations made on opening day (2nd Tuesday in November), cancellations made 11 or more days before the event date will receive a 50% refund.
• Dogs are prohibited inside a shelter or other City building. 
• Picnic shelters may be reserved online or by calling -OR- if not reserved, are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Day of signage is posted at the shelter.
• Madison Parks does not guarantee absolute privacy to any group.  Your reservation will reserve only the facility you are using, not the entire park or other facilities within the park. If you are interested in reserving the entire park, please visit Special Events.
• Alcohol is permitted in most Madison Parks. Glass is never allowed. There are a handful of alcohol-free parks. In these locations, if you would like to bring alcohol, you will need an alcohol permit, which may be obtained when placing your reservation. An alcohol permit, without a reservation, is not given. 
• Public improvements and/or construction may be underway during the time of your reservation.  The City of Madison Parks Division makes every attempt to schedule around events and shelter reservations whenever possible, however, this is not a guarantee. Please keep in mind improvements to parks and infrastructure continue throughout the year.  Please visit Park Projects for a partial list of major capital improvement projects.
• Firearms or weapons are not permitted at any of the shelters. Violators may be considered trespassers and may be subject to forfeiture or arrest.
• The availability of Gates of Heaven may be checked online however, you will need to call to make your reservation.
• Reservations for the following year begin in November of the proceeding year. 

Open Schedule Exceptions 

• Open year-round:
  • Gates of Heaven
  • Highland Manor Park
• Open mid-April through mid-November:
  • John Wall Family Pavilion in Tenney Park
  • Elver Park (enclosed shelter) 
  • Warner Park
  • Olin Park (through October)

• Marshall Park Shelter

  Address: 2101 Allen Blvd
  Capacity: Seats 100 people
  Restrooms: In separate building
  Water: Not available in shelter
  Parking: Parking lot
  
  
  Shelter Details: Marshall Park Shelter

Most of the volleyball courts are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  If you are planning a new league or tournament see Athletic Field Reservations.
 

• Marshall Park - Volleyball Court

  Surface: Sand
  Lighted: No
  Number of Courts: 1