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

• 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
  

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, the type, and 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. 

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Elver Park 2021-22 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 improvements to the natural ski trails and grooming, as conditions allow. READ MORE ABOUT THIS DECISION

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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:
  • Read Winter Fun: Cross-Country Skiing
  • Subscribe to Winter Recreation News

2022 Permit Fees 

View all Cross-Country Skiing

• Elver - Skiing

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

Disc Golf News

• Hiestand and Elver are now open!
• Yahara Hills is closed for the season, as of 04/06/2022.
• Free practice disc golf baskets at Wexford and Westhaven Trails parks.  Select park for locator map. 
• FREE DISC GOLF DAY - No permit is required on Saturday, May 28, 2022

Madison Parks offers three seasonal disc golf courses, plus year-round baskets at Wexford and Westhaven Trails parks. Hiestand and Elver are open late spring through early fall and Yahara Hills is open late fall through early spring. A daily or annual permit is required for anyone age 16 years or older and may be purchased online. A 2022 permit, is available for purchase starting in November and is valid through December 31, 2022. 

2022 Fees

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
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

Before you step out, check the status of your favorite rink!

• FREE-TO-USE All designated rinks and lagoons are free to use. No reservation is required! 
• CHECK THE STATUS Is the rink open? See the status below.
  • DO NOT skate, walk, or otherwise go on a rink or lagoon until it is declared open. Doing so is not safe and slows the opening process by damaging the ice.
  • While ice is never 100% safe, staff monitors the ice depth to be at least 5" to safely support humans and grooming equipment.
• SKATE RENTALS Elver, Tenney and Vilas, Wednesday - Sunday (when the rink is listed as open)
  • No rentals on Mondays and Tuesdays. No warming shelters or concessions. 
• GIFT CERTIFICATES for ice skate rentals are available. Call (608) 266-4711 to purchase. 
• SKATE HELPERS for children and adults to assist in ice skating. Thanks to the Madison Parks Foundation, we have free-to-use Skate Helpers available at Elver, Tenney and Vilas.  
• FREE LOANER SKATES Borrow a pair of ice skates to use while at the rink! Limited quantities are available at Olbrich, Rennebohm, Warner and Westmorland.
• ATTEND a FREE ice skating event. 
  • Groove & Glide
  • Skate Cinema
• LEARN MORE about winter recreation in Madison Parks.
  • Read Your Guide to Ice Skating in Madison Parks 
  • Subscribe to Winter Recreation News

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

View all Ice Skating

• Elver Park - Hockey Rink

  Location: 1240 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
  

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

GARNER COURT CLOSURE NOTICE (03/22/2022): Courts 5 and 6 are closed until further notice. Cracks reopened following last season's repair work and will remain closed until known deficits are corrected by the contractor. We anticipate this work will start in late May or early June and at that time, all courts will need to be closed.  

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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

• 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 all-inclusive playgrounds in Brittingham Park and Elver Park, opening in 2019.  The Foundation has a goal of 5 fully accessible playgrounds. 

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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

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

Year-Round: Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North, Warner Boat Launch, and Owen Conservation Park have restrooms that are open throughout the year. 

Late April through First October Weekend, 10am to 8pm daily: seasonal restrooms are open the first Saturday on or after April 20 and closed for the season on the first Monday in October. 

Winter: 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

• Elver Park Enclosed Shelter

  Location: 1250 McKenna Blvd
  
  OPEN

• Elver Park Open Shelter

  Location: 1260 McKenna Blvd
  
  OPEN

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

Reserve a Shelter

Shelter 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)

Note: 

• 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 facilities within the park. 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 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.
• Reservations for the following year begin in November of the proceeding year. 

View all Large Shelters

• Elver Park Enclosed Shelter

  Address: 1250 McKenna Blvd
  Capacity: Seats 60 people inside, 80 people outside
  Restrooms: In shelter
  Water: Available in shelter
  Parking: Parking lot
  
  
  Shelter Details: Elver Park Enclosed Shelter

• Elver Park Open Shelter

  Address: 1260 McKenna Blvd
  Capacity: Seats 100 people
  Restrooms: In shelter
  Water: Available in shelter
  Parking: Parking lot
  
  
  Shelter Details: Elver Park Open 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

Madison Parks offers many hills perfect for winter sledding. The locations listed below are few suggestions for ideal sledding with a good snow base. With the exception of Elver Park, sledding hills are not maintained by park staff. 

The Elver Park sledding hill is one of the most popular and is lit for nighttime sledding during the open season. 
 

View all Sledding

• Elver Park - Sledding

  Warming House: No
  Concessions: No
  
  Notes: By far the most popular, Elver Park's hill is also lit for nighttime fun.

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:
  • Read Your Guide to Snowshoeing in Madison Parks
  • Subscribe to Winter Recreation News

View all Snowshoeing

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

• Elver Park - Soccer #1

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

• Elver Park - Soccer #2

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

• Elver Park - Soccer #3

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

• Elver Park - Soccer #4

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

Many of the softball diamonds are programmed with youth and adult league play.  If you are looking to join a league contact Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR).  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 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
  

OPEN FOR THE SEASON STARTING SATURDAY, MAY 28! 

Cool off during the summer with a visit to a splash park! Madison Parks offers three splash parks that are always free to use and open daily, typically Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend: 10:00am to 8:00pm.

To report a mechanical or operating issue: (608) 235-0448             

View all Splash Parks

• Elver Park Splash Park

  # of Water Features:
  Surface:
  

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

• Elver Park - Tennis Court

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