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Wingra Park and Boat Livery

Wingra Park and Boat Livery
Address: 824 Knickerbocker St.
Hours: 4:00am - 10:00pm
Park Type:> Neighborhood
Acres: 11.76
Restroom: No
Drinking Water: Yes
Shoreline On: Lake Wingra

Park History

In 1900, the Madison Park and Pleasure Drive Association acquired the ten acres that is now known as Wingra Park and Boat Livery on Lake Wingra, between Terry Place and Knickerbocker Street.  It was originally the site of the Knickerbocker Ice Company storehouse, when ice was being harvested on Lake Wingra.  The ice harvesting was later operated by the Conklin Ice Company, and the park was first known as Olin Playground when acquired by the Association, although it appears as Conklin Park on early city maps.  The name was changed to Washington Park and subsequently to Wingra Park.  The area residents raised $200 for improvements of Washington Park and the street connected with it, and an addition to the park was made possible in 1925 by the Olin Trust Fund.  Another addition was made to the park in 1937 by what was known as the Cedars area.  The park now encompasses over ten acres and gives a wide variety of recreational facilities which include:  basketball,  bike paths, boat rental, picnic and play areas, shoreline fishing, and a scenic overlook.

At this Park

  • Madison Parks ranks #1 in the nation for the number of basketball hoops per resident, come check out the hoops in your neighborhood! Most of the basketball courts are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are planning a new league or tournament see Athletic Field Reservations. 

    View all Basketball Courts

    • Wingra Park and Boat Livery - Basketball Court

      Surface: Asphalt
      Lighted: No
      Number of Courts:

  • Spring Harbor - Open and Construction Work Continues
    As of Aug. 30, Spring Harbor Boat Launch construction work is substantially completed. Boaters may continue to see construction activity in and around the area. See Spring Harbor Boat Launch Project for more information. Also, closely related and anticipated at the same time, Engineering's Lake Mendota Drive will be under reconstruction.

    Marshall - Temporary Closure September 6-10
    Due to a permitted event, the Marshall Park boat launch will be closed to the public from 4am on Wednesday, September 6 through 6pm on Sunday, September 10, 2023.

    ACCESSING THE LAKES 
    A daily or annual permit is required year-round at designated sites to launch a motorboat, sailboat, iceboat, canoe, kayak, or ATV (see locations below). Piers are available from spring through fall. Installation and removal are dependent on the weather and lake conditions.  

    LAKE ACCESS PERMIT (Ordinance 8.215): See Purchase Permit 

    • A daily or annual permit is required year-round to launch a motorboat, sailboat, iceboat, canoe, kayak, or ATV.
    • Purchase permit ONLINE or by calling during regular office hours. Onsite kiosks are not available. 
    • The permit is valid for the issue year through March 31 of the following year.
    • Permits for the following year may be purchased starting November 1 of the previous year. 
    • The permit should be displayed on the inside driver's side windshield. 
    • The permit is valid at designated launch sites throughout Dane County. MAP
    DESIGNATED CITY OF MADISON LAUNCH LOCATIONS BY LAKE
    • LAKE MONONA: Law, Olbrich, Olin 
    • LAKE MENDOTA: Marshall, Spring Harbor, Tenney, Warner 

    2023 Fees 

    Daily $8
    Annual - Dane County Resident $50
    Annual - Non-Resident $60
    Annual - Dane County Senior (65+) & Disabled $25
    Annual - Non-Res Senior (65+) & Disabled $30
    Military/Veteran (New!) $25
    Duplicate/Replacement $20

    PURCHASE PERMIT

    2023 permit is available Nov. 1 and is valid from the time of purchase through March 31, 2024. 
    2022 permit is valid through March 31, 2023.
     

    TENNEY LOCKS NOTICE updated 04/06/2023
    The Tenney Locks, managed by Dane County Land & Water, is anticipated to open on Thursday, April 27, 2023. See DCLW for updates. 
    OLBRICH BOAT LAUNCH CAUTION ADVISORY
    Boaters are advised to use caution navigating the narrowed channel where the Starkweather Creek meets Lake Monona due to low lake levels and creek sediment. READ MORE

    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 

    View all Boat Launches

    • Wingra Park and Boat Livery - Boat Launch

      Location: 824 Knickerbocker St.
      Lake Access Permit Required: No

      Notes: No trailer parking available.
  • Madison Parks offers various locations to launch a canoe or kayak and is allowed at all of Madison Parks motorboat launch sites. Additionally, the parks listed below have a specially designated area for launch.

    If you are looking to store your kayak or canoe in a park, please visit the storage webpage.
      View all Canoe & Kayak Launch Sites

  • 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!

    View all Canoe & Kayak Rental

    • Madison Boats at Wingra Park

      Location: 824 Knickerbocker St
      Telephone: (608) 233-5332
      More Information: Madison Boats at Wingra Park
      Notes: Available: Canoes, single and tandem kayaks, stand up paddleboards, paddle boats, water mats, fishing boats and pontoon boats
  • 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

    An accessible pier is located in Vilas Park, on Lake Wingra. From WI DNR: Lake Wingra is a 336-acre lake with a maximum depth of 14 feet. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Walleye. 

    MESSAGE FROM PUBLIC HEALTH: Eating certain fish can be harmful because they may contain mercury, PCBs, or PFAS. Follow advice for Wisconsin and Dane County waters to choose fish with fewer chemicals. Learn more about PFAS from Public Health Madison & Dane County.
    View all Fishing

  • 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. 

    View all Playgrounds

    • Wingra Park and Boat Livery - Playground

  • 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 (608)266-4711.  Find out more about Athletic Field Reservations.

    Fields, open or closed?
    If a field reservation is canceled, a notification is emailed to the user who made the field reservation. Notifications are sent by 2:00 pm Monday through Friday and by 9:00 am on weekends and holidays. 

    View all Soccer Fields

    • Wingra Park - Soccer

      Bleachers: No
      Lighted: No
      Setup: Youth
      Type: Game

About This Park

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