Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Parks Menu
City of Madison Parks Find a Park Olin Park

Olin Park

Olin Park
Address: 1156 Olin-Turville Ct.
Hours: 4:00am - 10:00pm
Park Type:> Community
Acres: 47.12
Restroom: Yes
Drinking Water: Yes
Shoreline On: Lake Monona & Wingra Creek

Park History

The Olin Park Pavilion is one of the most popular park shelters in the city.  The view of the city is unparalleled.  The Olin Park Pavilion is one of the most historic buildings owned by the City of Madison.  It was built in 1884 and designed by Madison architect David R. Jones as 'Normal Hall' for the Wisconsin Sunday School Assembly.  It has gracefully aged and transformed over the years to serve a variety of uses.

 During the Wisconsin Sunday School Assembly sessions, the grounds resembled a tent city.  Steamships and trains were scheduled for stops at the grounds and a streetcar line was eventually built to serve the camp.  People came from all over the Midwest numbering as many as 15,000 (more than the population of Madison at the time).

 In 1912, the city purchased the old assembly grounds for a park.  In 1919, 'Monona Park' was opened up to tourists for camping, making it the first municipal camp east of the Rocky Mountains.  The 'old barn' during those days was used as a dance hall.  This is one of the few remaining buildings connected with Madison's heyday as a resort community. In 1923, the Common Council renamed the park Olin Park in honor of John Olin the founder of the Madison Park and Pleasure Drive.

In 2000, the Olin Pavilion was renovated to resemble the original 1884 barn. 

At this Park

  • OPEN (updated 07/03/2020): Beaches are open. Due to limited staffing resources, visitors will see the following service adjustments:

    • No lifeguards are on duty.
    • Restrooms are CLOSED. Nearby restrooms are open by 10:00am at the following parks with directional signage provided onsite. 
      • Marshall
      • Olbrich
      • Spring Harbor
      • Tenney
      • Vilas
      • Warner
    • Practice safe social distancing with anyone outside of your household.
    • Stay home if you feel ill.
    • While there are limited common touchpoints, use good hygiene and hand sanitizer. 
    Note the water may be closed due to water quality testing results preformed by Public Health Madison & Dane County.
    WATERCRAFT RENTALS & MORE (see also Canoe & Kayak Rentals)
    • Brittingham Park: Madison Boats
    • Olbrich Park: Rutabaga Paddlesport 
    • Marshall Park: Madison Boats
    • Wingra Park: Madison Boats


    FAQ: IF A BEACH IS CLOSED DUE TO THE WATER QUALITY, IS THE PARK STILL OPEN?
    Yes. Water quality testing is performed by Public Health Madison & Dane County Memorial Day to Labor Day. If a water test shows concerning results, the beach is listed as closed until bacteria or blue-green algae levels decline. During this time, there is no lifeguard service and you are advised to avoid the water. The park remains open to the public for other activities. It is also advised to avoid the water after heavy rainfall. MORE INFORMATION

    View all Beaches

    • Olin Beach

      Public Health Water Testing:
      Closed
      Address: 1156 Olin-Turville Ct.
      Restroom: Yes
      Drinking Water: Yes
      Parking: Parking Lot
      Amenities: Boat Ramp, Picnic Tables

      Swim Ropes: No
      Lifeguard: No

      Beach Details

  • OPEN with Precautions:

    • In several locations, this may mean one person on a pier at a time. Take turns and be courteous of others. 
    • Be mindful of common touchpoints. Use gloves, hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes
    • Daily and Annual Permits - may be purchased ONLINE only, iron rangers are temporarily removed
    • As of early, piers are available at the following locations: Marshall, Olbrich, Olin, Tenney, and Warner

    Launch your watercraft or ATV!

    Surrounded by over 15,000 acres of lakes, accessing the water is easy in Madison and surrounding communities with your Lake Access Permit.  A daily or annual Lake Access Permit is required year-round for launching a motorboat, sailboat, iceboat, canoe, kayak, or ATV from a designated lake access parking lots (see locations below). Piers are in place early/mid-spring through fall. 

    LAKE ACCESS PERMIT (Ordinance 8.215):
    • A daily or annual Lake Access Permit is required year-round for launching a motorboat, sailboat, iceboat, canoe, kayak, or ATV from a designated lake access parking lot and may be purchased ONLINE.
    • The permit is valid for the issue year through March 31 of the following year at designated launch sites in Madison, Monona and Dane County (see brochure map).
    • The permit should be displayed on the inside driver's side windshield 

    DESIGNATED CITY OF MADISON LAUNCH LOCATIONS BY LAKE

    LAKE MONONA: Law, Olbrich, Olin 
    LAKE MENDOTA: Marshall, Spring Harbor, Tenney, Warner

    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. 

    View all Boat Launches

    • Olin Park - Boat Launch

      Lake Access Permit Required: Yes

  • Watercraft Storage Spaces 

    Explore Madison's beautiful lakes, rivers, and creeks by paddle and store your canoe, kayak or paddleboard on the shores of your favorite park. All storage racks are outdoors and uncovered. The annual storage period begins each year on April 1 and ends on March 31 of the following year.
     
    How to Reserve:
    • You may be placed on our waitlist at no charge by call (608) 266-4711 or EMAIL. 
    • 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.  
    2020 Storage costs (tax included):
    $110 Madison Resident
    $200 Non-Resident

    Watercraft storage rules include:
    • Watercraft must not exceed 80 pounds, 18' length, 42" width or 24" height.
    • Storage is for permitted watercraft only. No personal property.
    • Only one watercraft is allowed in each space.
    • Watercraft must be secured to the boat storage rack. 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.
    • See agreement for complete rules.
    If you believe your watercraft has been stolen or removed by Parks staff: Call a Park Ranger to report at (608) 235-0448.

    Additional storage may be available at the following: View all Canoe & Kayak Storage
  • Wisconsin residents aged 16 years old or older need a fishing license to fish in any waters of the state. Nonresidents aged 16 years old or older need a nonresident fishing license to fish in Wisconsin waters with hook and line. Visit the Wisconsin DNR website for more information.
     
    Every year, the first consecutive Saturday and Sunday in June and the third Saturday and Sunday in January, are designated as Free Fishing Weekends throughout the state of Wisconsin. Residents and nonresidents of all ages can fish without a fishing license (and trout stamps) over these two days.  Visit WI DNR
    View all Fishing
  • More information on historic buildings or district questions may be found in the Department of Planning & Community & Economic Development Planning Division.

    Wisconsin has the highest concentration of burial mounds in the United States and the Madison area has one of the highest concentrations of burial mounds remaining. Most mounds were lost to 19th-century agricultural practices and city development. The mound builders were farmers who also engaged in hunting and gathering. They lived in small villages and migrated from one to another based on the seasonal availability of natural resources. The mounds often, but not always, have burials associated with them, but their exact purpose is not entirely understood. Mounds tend to have been built in places with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. The mounds are considered sacred by modern Native Americans and should be treated with respect.

    A Burial Mounds Policy was created with assistance from the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Ho-Chunk Nation, and approved by the Board of Park Commissioners in October 2019, the policy provides guidelines and procedures for managing burial mounds located in Madison Parks. Burial mound locations are also included in the policy. 

    View all Historical Features

    • Monona Lake Assembly Normal Hall

      Location: 1156 Olin-Turville Court
      Built: 1884

      Description: This pavilion was built as a 450-seat lecture hall for the Monona Lake Assembly. Established to provide instruction for Sunday school teachers, it soon became a popular summer camp for tourists from throughout the Midwest. As many as 15,000 came each year for religious instruction, entertainment, recreation, and lectures by such notables as William McKinley and "Fighting Bob" La Follette. The Normal Hall is one of the last buildings remaining from Madison's heyday as a resort community.

      Designated  a City of Madison Landmark on March 21, 1988.

      More Information: Landmark Nomination

  • Madison Parks are a unique blend of active recreation and passive recreation spaces.  Open Fields are just that - open, not pre-designed as a softball diamond, or football field.  These open fields are available in these parks to spark your imagination, play a game of tag, or follow the leader - or anything you can think of!  Enjoy your parks!

    View all Open Fields

    • Olin Park - Open Field Games

  • Parking lots are available in these parks for the programs or events in these parks.  Parking lots are available from 4:00 am to 10:00 pm. Overnight parking is not allowed.  Parking regulations specific to that park are posted at the entrance of the park. View all Parking Lots

  • OPEN: (Updated 06/15/2020) Playgrounds are open with the following precautions: 

    • Maintain at least 6' between people outside of your immediate household.
    • Consider sanitizing common touchpoints.
    • Use hand sanitizer after use. 
    View COVID-19 for all impacted City services. More information: Public Health Madison & Dane County
     

    View all Playgrounds

    • Olin Park - Playground

  • CLOSING (beginning October 7):  Restrooms throughout the park system are beginning to close in preparation for winter and due to limited staff resources to ensure enhanced cleaning due to COVID-19.   
     

    Restrooms are located throughout the parks system and in most cases in a park with a reservable shelter.  Most of the restrooms are available only during the summer months. Restrooms available during the winter months include those open for winter activities at the following parks:   Tenney, Vilas, Elver, Olbrich, Warner and Westmorland Parks.

    No firearms or weapons are permitted on this property. Violators are considered trespassers and subject to forfeiture or arrest.

    View all Restrooms

    • Olin Park - Restroom

      Lighted: Yes
      Open Year-Round: No
  • Many of the Madison Parks are located in ideal locations for sight seeing.  Enjoy the view! View all Scenic Overlooks

  • OPEN, Limited Reservations (update 09/10/2020): Following the Forward Dane plan, gatherings are allowed with restrictions. We are currently taking reservations at select shelter locations. Shelters may also available on a first-come, first-served basis with the same restrictions. Please call (608) 266-4711 for more information and inquire about a reservation.

    • Outdoor gatherings are limited to no more than 25 people. 
    • Indoor gatherings are limited to no more than 10 people.
    • Maintain at least 6' between people outside of your immediate household.
    • Masks are required for all persons aged 5 years and older. 
    • Consider sanitizing picnic tables and benches before use.
    • Do not share food and beverages. Avoid serving food as a buffet, potluck or family-style.
     

    2021 Reservations 

    We will begin accepting 2021 shelter reservations at 8:00am on Tuesday, November 10, 2020. 
    • Full payment is due at the time of processing your reservation, along with any required permits.   
    • Credit card (MasterCard or Visa) is the only accepted method of payment.
    • Due to COVID-19, the Parks office remains closed to the public and we cannot accept cash or check as payment.
    • Dates NOT available due to Special Events will be posted HERE, by November 1, 2020. 
    Reservations and checking the availability of our larger shelters may be completed ONLINE or you may call the Madison Parks Office at (608) 266-4711 Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 4:15 pm. More information and details on reserving a large shelter may be found in our Shelter Reservations Guide.


    Most shelters are open mid-April through mid-October. There are a few exceptions:

    Please Note: We are continually improving our park system. Some of these improvements may impact a nearby shelter. Prior to making a reservation, please visit Parks Projects for more information on specific parks.

    FEES:
    Pricing varies depending on the shelter and may be viewed here. 

    SPECIAL NOTES: 
    • Picnic shelters are also reservable or available on a first-come, first served basis.
    • 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. There are a handful of parks that are alcohol-free. In order to have alcohol in these parks, you must have a reservation and an alcohol permit, which can be obtained when placing your reservation.
    • 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 continues 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. 

    View all Large Shelters

    • Olin Park Pavilion

      Address: 1156 Olin-Turville Court
      Capacity: Seats 150 people
      Restrooms: In separate building
      Water: Not available in shelter
      Parking: Parking lot


      Shelter Details

  • Many of the soccer fields are programmed with youth and adult league play.  If you would like to reserve a field or facility, please call the Athletic Scheduler at 266-4711.  Find out more about Athletic Field Reservations.
     

    FIELDS, OPEN OR CLOSED?

    The best and ONLY way to know if your field is open for play is to call the Rainout Line (608)267-8787. Weekdays the line will be updated by 2:00pm, weekends and holidays the line will be updated by 9:00am. The line will be updated if fields are questionable, if no update by times listed, fields are open for play.
     

    View all Soccer Fields

    • Olin Park - Soccer

      Bleachers: No
      Lighted: No
      Setup: Adult
      Type: Game

About This Park

Get to This Park