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McPike Park

McPike Park
Address: 202 S. Ingersoll St.
Hours: 4:00am - 10:00pm
Park Type:> Community
Acres: 9.21
Restroom: Yes
Drinking Water: Yes

Park History

Brief History

The concept of a large urban park located along the East Isthmus rail corridor originated with local neighborhood groups interested in revitalizing an area of post-industrial brownfi elds. Discussions for a park on this site began in the early 1970s. The Urban Open Space Foundation (UOSF) championed this idea for several years, developing a plan for a grand 25-acre Central Park. Despite public enthusiasm following an extensive public process and some success at fund raising, progress eventually stalled on the project.

In 2007, the Common Council established the Central Park Design and Implementation Task Force (Task Force) to determine the need for and feasibility of such a park and chart a path forward. This report summarizes our efforts and recommendations to the Common Council for the expeditious creation of this park.

The Central Park phase 1A developed the larger lawn portions was completed in 2014. Madison's first skatepark, located at the end of Few Street, opened in September 2015.

On a chilly afternoon in April 2018, longtime East High School principal Milton McPike was honored in a dedication ceremony officially renaming the park.  

At this Park

  • Open or 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. Multipurpose Fields are located throughout the city and may be used on a first-come, first-served basis if not already reserved. RESERVE ONLINE

    SPECIALIZED FIELDS
    Specialized fields include soccer, cricket, ball diamonds - baseball or softball and both fenced and non-fenced, may be viewed on the individual pages. See the sidebar on the Athletics webpage. 

    View all Multipurpose Fields

    • McPike Park - Multipurpose Field

  • Restroom Updates

    • Seasonal restrooms are expected to reopen on Saturday, April 26. Open hours are approximately 10am to 8pm.   
      • This city-wide process takes weeks to complete and staff may discover unexpected issues that may delay the opening of a specific location. This webpage will be updated.
      • The opening is timed for when the overnight temps are traditionally and consistently above freezing, to allow the water to be turned back on safely, and we have additional staff to clean the restrooms. 
      • This does not include beach restrooms. 
    • Bubblers and drinking fountains: Our goal is to have bubblers and water fountains turned on by the Memorial weekend. This is a city-wide process that takes weeks to complete.
    Madison Parks offers seasonal and year-round restrooms throughout the park system. Indoor restrooms are open daily, approximately 10am to 8pm. 

    Open Year-Round 
    • Brittingham Park (2) at beach house and boat house+
    • Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North*
    • Door Creek Park+
    • Elver Park enclosed shelter*
    • Owen Conservation Park*
    • Warner Park boat launch* 
    *Indoor
    +ADA Accessible Portable

    NOTE: Portable toilets not identified on this page are most likely arranged by a user group, such as an athletic organization and may not be accessible. All portable restrooms identified on the page are arranged by Madison Parks and are ADA accessible. 
     

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    • McPike Park

      OPEN

  • McPike Park
    The Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Skatepark at McPike Park is free and open daily during regular park hours - 4am to 10pm. Lighting is scheduled from dusk until 10pm from April 15 to October 15. 

    Skateboards, in-line skates, and roller skates are allowed. Before visiting, please review the SKATEPARK RULES.

    History of the Skatepark at McPike Park 

    Warner Park
    Skateboarding options expanded in 2021 with the addition of the all-wheel spot at Warner Park 

    Aldo Leopold Park
    The pump track is typically used with a mountain-type bike and could also be used by skateboarding. See Aldo Leopold Park. 

    Please report any damage or debris to the Skatepark surfaces to the Parks Division at 608-235-0448.

    View all Skate Parks

    • Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Skatepark at McPike Park

About This Park

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