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Door Creek Park

Door Creek Park
Address: 7035 Littlemore Dr.
Hours: 4:00am - 10:00pm
Park Type: Community
Acres: 159.97
Restroom: Yes
Drinking Water: No

Park Details

SHELTER UPDATE: Plans are underway for a new multi-season reservable shelter with anticipated completion in 2023. See Parks Projects for more information. 
paved path down hill through parkDoor Creek Park is approximately 160 acres, located east of the I-90/39 and south of I-94, between Milwaukee Street and Cottage Grove Road (County Highway BB) in the Door Creek neighborhood. This large community park has been in the planning and acquisition stage since 1990. Door Creek Master Plan, approved in March 2008, includes both passive and active recreation and a shelter.

The land is adjacent to Dane County Parks, Blooming Grove Drumlins Natural Resource Area, North Unit.

Door Creek runs through the park and continues south to Lake Kegonsa. 

DOOR CREEK MAP

Alternate addresses: 6901 Bluff Point Drive, 851 Harrington Drive, 7202 Cottage Grove Rd., 625 Highcliff Trail, between 533 & 601 Highcliff Trail
 

Park Highlights

WINTER RECREATION
Door Creek Park offers a free-to-use, intermediate ski trail through hilly woods. As snow conditions allow, the trail is groomed for classic skiing. Snowshoeing is not allowed on the groomed trail but is allowed elsewhere in the park with good snow cover. 
ORIENTEERING
Orienteering is an activity in which participants use a map and compass to navigate an area and find posted markers. Participants can complete the course competitively or casually, perhaps racing one another or simply finding markers at their leisure.
 
The orienteering course is ONLY OPEN in the non-winter months, as several markers are placed on cross-country trails.
 
What you will need: Using the Map
The map is a very simple guide to finding the markers throughout the park. North on the map is the top edge. On the map, the purple circled numbers denote the locations of the 12 numbered markers, and the purple triangle is the starting and ending point. The circles show a control area with about a 15-foot radius inside of which the marker is located, and the purple lines spanning from marker to marker denote the compass direction from each and to each as the crow flies. The marked trails are still to be followed. 
 
Signs/Markers in the Park
Markers consist of a green metal post extending 4 feet out of the ground, with a 6x6 inch orange-and-white sign fastened to the top. The sign has a number on the top left to show which marker it is, and a Greek letter on the bottom right, as shown below.
 
Using the Greek Letters (optional)
If participants wish to run a competitive orienteering race, they can print out the Marker Symbol Sheet in addition to the map. Participants copy down the Greek letter found on the signs to prove that they did in fact find the markers. The sign numbers and their corresponding letters can also be found in the Symbol Key document on this page.

orienteering sign
 
This orienteering course was constructed in July 2022 as an Eagle Scout Project by Zane Brolin and Troop 16.
 

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

    • Door Creek Park - Basketball Court

      Surface: Asphalt
      Lighted: No
      Number of Courts: 2 full

  • Grooming the Trails: How & When  

    The type of grooming performed depends on a few things to make the most of both long and short-term skiing opportunities. The amount and type of snow, as well as, the ground condition at the time of the snow event all play a part in the grooming equation.

    Did you know Parks staff is responsible for priority snow removal areas? These priority areas are roads, more than 400 bus stops, bike trails, sidewalks, and parking lots. We always appreciate your patience and understanding as safety will always come before fun. To learn more about the grooming process, please see Winter Recreation: Cross-Country Skiing. You may also visit Madison Nordic Ski Club for trail conditions posted by volunteers and trail users. 

    Elver Park 2022-23 Update: Through a mutual decision, there will be no machine-made snow loop at Elver Park this winter season. The MadNorSki, CXC and Parks team are focusing efforts on continued improvements to the natural ski trails and grooming, as conditions allow. 

    Winter Recreation: Cross-Country Skiing 
    Seven designated and groomed cross-country skiing trails throughout the park system. 
    • FREE-TO-USE: Four groomed trails are free-to-use (Cherokee Marsh South, Door Creek, Owen and Turville Point).
    • PERMIT REQUIRED: Elver, Odana Hills, and Yahara Hills are groomed more regularly as conditions allow and require a daily or annual Cross-Country Ski Permit for anyone aged 16 years or older. (scroll to green Purchase Permit button).
    • RESTROOMS: Available at Elver, Owen, Odana (portable) and Yahara (portable). 
    • SKI RENTALS: Classic ski rentals, sleds, snowshoes and ice skates are available. See Elver Park for hours and rates. 
    • Learn more about cross-country skiing in Madison Parks:

    PURCHASE PERMIT

    2023 Permit Fees 

    Daily $7
    Annual $30
    Senior (65+) & Disabled $15
    Replacement $12
    • A 2022 Permit is valid from the time of purchase through December 31, 2022. 
    • A 2023 Permit is available for purchase Nov. 1 and is valid through December 31. 2023. 
    • The permit is valid for Dane County Parks trails also. 

    TRAIL STATUS DEFINITIONS

    • OPEN = trail is snow-covered, skiable with most recent grooming date listed. 
    • CLOSED = skiing is not advised or permitted
    TRAIL CONDITIONS & GROOMING
    • Ski trails typically open after the first snowfall over 4" depending on the type of snow and trail conditions.
    • Fee-based trails (Elver, Odana Hills and Yahara Hills) are groomed more frequently, as conditions allow and for both skate and classic skiing.
    • Free ski trails are tracked or roll groomed for classic cross-country skiing. 
    • We may not be able to groom or we may need to close a trail to preserve the trail condition. This website is updated as soon as information from the field is available.
    • Permit fees are non-refundable

    TRAIL TIPS & RESPONSIBILITIES
    • Follow directional arrows. Some trails are marked for one-way use
    • Trails are rated for difficulty at the trailhead
    • Skiers stay on groomed trails only
    • No dogs, horses, snowboards, motor vehicles, hiking or snowshoeing on groomed trails
    • Slower skiers please stay to the right

    View all Cross-Country Skiing
  • Explore the many scenic trails and pathways throughout Madison Parks.  Year-round restrooms are available at Cherokee Marsh, North and Owen conservation parks. 

    MAPS
    Some of the parks have a trail map on-site or in the "About This Park" on the individual park webpage.  

    Dogs
    Most parks allow leashed & licensed dogs with a Dog Park Permit. However, dogs are prohibited in all conservation parks and a number of Dog Free Parks. View all Hiking

  • 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

    • Door Creek 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

  • *New Pickleball Locations*
    We have dual stripping (tennis and pickleball) at the following courts:

    • Olbrich Park - 2 
    • Reindahl Park - 4 north
    • Tenney Park - 3 (lighted)
    • Westmorland Park - 2
    • Wexford Park - 2
    Garner Park offers Madison's only dedicated pickleball courts, in addition, a number of tennis courts are also lined for pickleball. Learn more about the game and rules adopted by the USA Pickleball Association. 

    Pickleball courts may be reserved ONLINE.

    View all Pickleball Courts

    • Door Creek Park - Pickleball Court

      Surface: Asphalt
      Lighted: No
      Number of Courts: 8

      Notes: Tennis/Pickleball Courts (4)

  • 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 Park and Elver Park, opening in 2019.  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

    • Door Creek Park - Playground

  • CLOSED FOR THE SEASON STARTING MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2022.

    Open public restrooms are listed below. All portable restrooms are accessible. 

    Year-Round Open Restrooms
    Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North, Warner Park Boat Launch, and Owen Conservation Park are open daily, from approximately 10am to 8pm. 

    Spring - Fall (April 23 - October 2, 2022) 
    Most restrooms are open daily from approximately 10am to 8pm, opening the first Saturday on or after April 20 and closing for the season on the first Monday in October. 

    Winter
    Once winter recreation begins, in addition to the year-round locations, Elver, Tenney, and Vilas have open restrooms when the winter recreation amenity of that park is open. Please check Winter Fun for the status of winter recreation at a specific park. Other portable restrooms are also added in a number of popular winter recreation locations. 

    View all Restrooms

    • Door Creek Portable Restroom

      OPEN
  • Experience winter in Madison Parks like never before with snowshoeing!  This silent sport is a fantastic way to explore many of our parks during the winter months and is easy to learn. 

    Snowshoe Rentals at Vilas and Elver 
    New this year: Snowshoe rentals at Elver Park! Snowshoe rentals are available Wednesday - Sunday at Elver (map) and Vilas parks when the shelter is staffed and we have good snow cover. 

    RATES 
    Snowshoe Rentals Adult (16 & older) Youth (15 & under)
    Hourly $5 $2
    Additional Hour $2 $2
    Daily (24 hours): Vilas Only $25  $10
    Additional Day: Vilas Only $15 $5

    SNOWSHOEING TIPS 
    • DO snowshoe anywhere in a general park with good snow-cover, except on a cross-country ski groomed trail (Door Creek, Elver, Odana Hills, and Yahara Hills).
    • DO snowshoe at Elver Park on the marked trail only - MAP.
    • DO snowshoe at Yahara Hills on the marked trail only - MAP.
    • DO snowshoe on a trail in any conservation park, except those groomed for cross-country skiing (Cherokee Marsh South, Owen, and Turville Point) 
    • DO snowshoe with sufficient snow (typically 4" or more).
    • DON'T snowshoe off-trail in a conservation park. 
      • Snowshoeing, hiking, and skiing off-trail can destroy snow tunnels used by native small rodents (deer mice, shrews) by the trampling effect. These small mammals are an important part of the wetland and grassland ecology in our conservation parks. Destruction of these tunnel networks makes the small mammals more vulnerable to predation.
    • When in doubt, it's always best to stay on a trail.
      • Our trail systems are designed to facilitate controlled public access while protecting environmentally sensitive areas and providing quiet refuges for wildlife away from people. Disruption of wildlife by human activity during the winter puts additional stress on them during a challenging time for their survival.
    • Learn more:
    View all Snowshoeing

  • Madison Parks has nearly 100 tennis courts.  Most of the tennis courts are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. When courts are reserved, at least one must be left available for pick-up play. Please note that all tennis leagues and all tennis instructors must pay for a reservation, no matter the location. Go to: Athletic Field Reservations

    Practice Wall Locations
    Bordner, Brittingham, Elver, Olbrich, Tenney, Waunona and Westmorland

    Shared Pickleball Courts
    Brittingham, Door Creek, Elver, Heritage Heights, Kennedy, Nakoma, Norman Clayton, Northland Manor, Richmond Hill, Tenney, Walnut Grove, Waunona, and Westhaven Trails.
     

    View all Tennis Courts

    • Door Creek Park - Tennis Court

      Surface: Asphalt
      Lighted: No
      Number of Courts: 8

      Notes: Tennis/Pickleball Courts (4)

About This Park

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