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 RESERVE ONLINE

View all Basketball Courts

• Elver Park - Basketball Court

  Location: by tennis courts
  Surface: Asphalt
  Lighted: No
  Number of Courts: 1 full
  

• Elver Park - Basketball Court

  Location: by woods
  Surface: Asphalt
  Lighted: No
  Number of Courts: 2 full
  

Cross-Country Skiing in Madison Parks

Three (3) ski trails are free to use and three (3) ski trails require a daily or annual cross-country ski permit. 

• PERMIT REQUIRED: Door Creek, Elver and Odana Hills Golf Course.
  • A daily or annual Ski Permit is required for anyone aged 16 years or older.
  • PURCHASE PERMIT ONLINE 
  • Groomed several times each week for classic (tracks) and skate skiing, as conditions allow. 
• FREE-TO-USE: Cherokee Marsh Conservation - South, Owen, and Turville Point.
  • Groomed weekly and/or as conditions allow.  
• TRAIL STATUS DEFINITIONS
  • OPEN = trail is snow-covered, skiable with the most recent grooming date posted. 
  • CLOSED = skiing is not advised or permitted
  • See Madison Nordic Ski Club for trail conditions posted by volunteers and trail users.

 

View all Cross-Country Skiing

• Elver - Skiing

  Location: 1250 McKenna Blvd.
  
  Closed
  Cross-Country Skiing at Elver Park
  

Season Updates

• Hiestand is open as of Thursday, April 24. 
• Elver is closed to allow the ground conditions to improve and seeding to happen and begin to establish for maximum usability. Once open, a temporary layout will be in place while holes 2-4 are temporarily closed to allow time for the newly reseeded fairways to grow and establish. 

Disc Golf News

• Check out a disc golf kit for free with a valid Madison Public Library card. Get the DETAILS.
• Free to use, year-round disc golf baskets at Heritage Heights (1), High Point (1), Lake Edge (3), Rennebohm (1), Westhaven Trails (4) and Wexford (3).  
• Free Fun Weekend - No permit is required!
  • Saturday & Sunday, June 7-8, 2025

Course Maps

• Elver Park (*new* - holes 2 - 4 redesigned in 2024)
• Hiestand Park

A daily or annual permit is required for anyone age 16 years or older and may be purchased online. 

2025 Fees

• 2025 permit is valid from the time of purchase through December 31, 2025. 
• 2026 permits go on sale November 1. 

View all Disc Golf Courses

• Elver Park Disc Golf Course

  Location: 1250 McKenna Boulevard
  Bleachers: No
  Lighted: No
  Setup: Adult
  Type: Game
  

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

MAPS
Looking for a trail map for a particular park? A number of the individual park pages provide a trail map. Check out the "About This Park" section of your favorite park. Don't see a map? Let us know! 

Dogs
Most parks allow leashed & licensed dogs with a Dog Permit. However, dogs are prohibited in all conservation parks and a few other locations. See Dog Free Parks for more information. View all Hiking

Ice Skating in Madison Parks

No ice is completely safe. Opening an ice rink or lagoon for skating involves careful assessment. Always check the status online or call the Parks office before skating. Each rink and lagoon's status is listed and updated promptly. Rinks/lagoons will close if meltwater is visible to prevent extended closures from damaged ice. See Declaring a Rink or Lagoon as Open for more information. 

SKATE RENTALS & CONCESSIONS
Skate rentals and concessions are available from the staffed warming shelter in Elver, Tenney and Vilas. The season typically ends the third weekend in February, or sooner depending on ice conditions. 
 

Skate Rentals	Price per Hour
Adult	$6
Youth - age 15 & younger	$3
Each additional hour	$2
Hockey Stick (Elver, Tenney & Vilas)	$3

LOANER SKATES 
Free-to-use skates are available at Olbrich, Warner and Westmorland Parks. Borrow a pair of ice skates to use while at the rink. Limited quantities and sizes are available from inside the warming shelter. Please wipe down and return before leaving the park. 

EVENTS & GROUP OUTING
Attend a winter event open to the community or reserve a winter recreation party for your group. All winter activities depend on the weather and conditions and are subject to change.

RESTROOMS
Indoor and portable restrooms are provided at a number of parks. See the webpage for open locations. 

PETS & BIKES
Bikes and pets, including well-behaved dogs, are never allowed on any ice rink or lagoon.  See Dogs in Parks for locations where allowed. 

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A big thank you to our many volunteers and the ADOPT ICE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM! 

View all Ice Skating

• Elver Park - Hockey Rink

  Location: 1250 McKenna Blvd
  
  Closed
  
  More Information: Skating at Elver Park - Hockey Rink
  

• Elver Park - Ice Rink

  Location: 1250 McKenna Blvd.
  
  Closed
  
  More Information: Skating at Elver Park - Ice Rink
  

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

• Elver Park - Soccer #1

• Elver Park - Soccer #2

• Elver Park - Soccer #3

• Elver Park - Soccer #4

Parking lots in parks are available for park programs or events during regular park hours: 4:00 am to 10:00 pm. 

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.

Law Park: metered parking stalls
The parking lot located on the eastern side of Law Park, commonly known as the Blair Lot, is a metered parking lot, enforced by City of Madison Parking Division between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. 
  View all Parking Lots

Among the nearly 100 tennis courts in Madison, many are dual-stripped for pickleball. Dual-striped courts utilize the tennis net which is about 2" taller than a standard pickleball net. Garner Park offers Madison's only dedicated pickleball courts.

While the courts are available for individuals on a first-come, first-served basis, ALL LEAGUES AND LESSONS MUST RESERVE IN ADVANCE. RESERVE ONLINE

View all Pickleball Courts

• Elver Park - Pickleball Court

  Surface: Asphalt
  Lighted: No
  Number of Courts: 3
  
  Notes: Tennis/Pickleball Courts

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 accessible playgrounds in Brittingham, Elver, Rennebohm and Warner parks.  An accessible playground is anticipated in Reindahl Park in the near future.

NATURE PLAYGROUNDS
A nature playground uses natural materials such as logs, rocks, plants, and the surrounding land to create a play environment that encourages children to explore and connect with nature. Nature play elements can combined with traditional playground equipment like slides, swings and climbers. Check out Brittingham Park and Olbrich Park to get you started, other parks include Paunack, Garner, Tenney, Westmorland and Wingra. 
 

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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

• Elver Park - Playground

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.

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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. 
 

View all Restrooms

• Elver Park Open Shelter

  Location: 1260 McKenna Blvd
  
  OPEN

• Elver Park Pavilion Shelter

  Location: 1250 McKenna Blvd
  
  OPEN

• Elver Park Softball

  CLOSED
  
  Notes: open with athletic reservations

Many of the Madison Parks are located in ideal locations for sight seeing.  Enjoy the view! View all Scenic Overlooks

Shelter and Pavilion News

• 2025 reservations opened Friday, November 1.
• Reservations may be made online, by phone or in person at Parks Lakeside Offices.
• See 2025 Special Event Reservations for unavailable dates and locations.
• Olin Park Pavilion CLOSED 2026 - City Engineering will conduct essential repairs and maintenance to this historic building in 2026. We anticipate the pavilion closed for the year. A clearer timeline will be available by November 2025.

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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. 

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Important Notes: 

• Any required permits, such as amplified sound, or alcohol are required at the time of processing.    
• All reservations are subject to our standard cancelation policy. 
• Opening day to reserve a park shelter for the following year begins on the first business day in November. 
• 2025 reservations opening day is Friday, November 1, 2024.
  • IMPORTANT: Canceling a reservation made on opening day will result in a 50% refund and must be submitted at least 11 or more days before the event date. No refunds are given if the request is submitted 10 days or fewer before the event. 
• 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 park amenities. 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.

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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)

View all Large Shelters

• Elver Park Open Shelter

  Address: 1260 McKenna Blvd
  Capacity: This is an open-air shelter.
  Restrooms: In shelter
  Water: Available in shelter
  Parking: Parking lot
  
  
  Shelter Details: Elver Park Open Shelter

• Elver Park Pavilion Shelter

  Address: 1250 McKenna Blvd
  Capacity: This is an enclosed and open-air shelter.
  Restrooms: In shelter
  Water: Available in shelter
  Parking: Parking lot
  
  
  Shelter Details: Elver Park Pavilion Shelter

Slacklining or hammocking in a park is allowed following the guidelines below at specific times, on specific trees, and never in a conservation park. Always keep in mind, Park Rangers have the authority to remove or order the removal of any slackline or hammock which they deem as harmful to the tree or as a danger to the safety of park users. The best advice, WHEN IN DOUBT, DON'T.
 

Dos and Don'ts

Tethering to trees for the purpose of slacklining or hammocking is allowed following these guidelines:

• DO: Sunrise to 30 minutes prior to sunset
• DO: Temporary only and may never be left unattended or overnight
• DO: Only on trees greater than 1' in diameter and 4.5'
• DO: Tree protect is used at connection points
• DON'T: Never tether on Oak, Hickory or Birch trees
• DON'T: Never in any conservation park 

For more information, see POLICY & GUIDELINES
 

Proper Tree Protection

Tree protection is required for tethering any equipment to help prevent damage to the tree's bark. Carpet, foam pads or towels make good protection. Make sure the fabric padding completely encircle the tree at the connection points and is a minimum of ¼" thick by 10" wide. For more information and examples, see  TREE PROTECTION
 

Prohibited Trees

Never tether on an oak, hickory or birch tree. When in doubt, don't For more information, see TREE IDENTIFICATION

When in Doubt, Don't 

Park Rangers have the authority to remove or order the removal of any slackline or hammock which they deem as harmful to the tree or as a danger to the safety of park users. 

View all Slacklining and Hammocking

Sledding in Madison Parks

Madison Parks offers many hills perfect for winter sledding with a good snow base. Except for Elver Park, we do not monitor or maintain sledding hills but suggest locations on this page. Elver Park offers a steep, evening-lit hill with sleds available to rent or purchase, typically when the warming shelter is staffed for cross-country ski rentals.  

Sleds & Concessions
During the winter season, sleds are available to rent or purchase in the staffed warming shelter at Elver Park.
 

Sleds	Price
Rent by the hour	$2
Purchase	$20

View all Sledding

• Elver Park - Sledding

  Warming House: Yes
  Concessions: Yes
  
  Notes: With good snow cover, Elver Park sledding hill is lit for evening fun!

Snowshoeing in Madison Parks

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 & Concessions
Snowshoe rentals are available from the staff warming shelter at Elver and Vilas. 

Snowshoe Rentals	Price
Adult - first hour	$5
Youth - age 15 and younger, first hour	$3
Each additional hour	$2
Adult - daily	$25
Adult - each additional day	$15
Youth - daily	$10
Youth - each additional day	$5

SNOWSHOEING TIPS 

• Designated snowshoe trails are offered in the following parks. 
  • Cherokee Marsh South - see MAP
  • Door Creek Park - See MAP
  • Elver Park - see MAP
• Snowshoeing is allowed anywhere in a general park with good snow cover - typically about 4" or more, except on a marked cross-country ski trail. 
• Snowshoeing is allowed in any trail in a conservation park, except Owen, and Turville Point, which are designated ski trails. 
• DO NOT 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 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 a quiet refuge 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. 

View all Snowshoeing

Many of the softball diamonds are programmed with youth and adult league play. See Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) for league information.

Softball Fields: RESERVE ONLINE 
Backstop: RESERVE ONLINE 


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 Softball Fields

• Elver Park Softball #1

  Bleachers: Yes
  Lighted: Yes
  Setup: Adult
  Type: Game
  

• Elver Park Softball #2

  Bleachers: Yes
  Lighted: Yes
  Setup: Adult
  Type: Game
  

• Elver Park Softball #3

  Bleachers: Yes
  Lighted: Yes
  Setup: Adult
  Type: Game
  

• Elver Park Softball #4

  Bleachers: Yes
  Lighted: Yes
  Setup: Adult
  Type: Game
  

Cool off with a visit to a splash park! Madison Parks offers three, always free-to-use splash parks, open daily Memorial weekend through Labor Day: 10:00am to 8:00pm. Each location provides a restroom facility. 

Restrooms and To Activate Park Water Features

• Cypress: Activation Push Button, portable accessible, restroom onsite
• Elver: Activation Push Button, nearby restrooms at either shelter
• Reindahl: Activation Push Buttons, new accessible restrooms 

View all Splash Parks

• Elver Park Splash Park

  # of Water Features:
  Surface:
  

Madison Parks offers nearly 100 tennis courts, many are dual-stripped for tennis and pickleball.  While the courts are available for individuals on a first-come, first-served basis, ALL LEAGUES AND LESSONS MUST RESERVE IN ADVANCE. RESERVE ONLINE

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

Vilas Park Tennis Courts (as of April 30, 2024)
Due to the deteriorating conditions and safety concerns, the Vilas Park tennis courts are closed. 

View all Tennis Courts

• Elver Park - Tennis Court

  Surface: Asphalt
  Lighted: No
  Number of Courts: 3
  
  Notes: Tennis/Pickleball Courts