OPEN: (Updated 06/15/2020): Help us keep the courts open by following these adjustments and precautions. 

• Play with members of your immediate household only
• Pickup games are not allowed with persons outside of your immediate household since it is not possible to maintain 6ft physical distancing
• Stay home if you are ill.
• Consider wearing a face-covering.
• Use hand sanitizer and avoid touching common touchpoints. 

Sports Guidance and FAQs

View COVID-19 for all impacted City services. More information: Public Health Madison & Dane County 

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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
  

Most trails are free to use as conditions allow. A daily or annual ski permit is required for Elver Park, Odana Hills, and Yahara Hills for skiers aged 16 and older and may be purchased ONLINE. A 2020 permit is valid through December 31, 2020 and is valid for Dane County Park trails also. 

View all Cross-Country Skiing

• Elver - Skiing

  Location: 1250 McKenna Blvd.
  
  Closed
  Cross-Country Skiing Details
  

OPEN: During our current Public Health Madison & Dane County order, disc golf courses are open with adjustments. See PLAY IT SAFE below. 

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*NEW* 

(09/25/2020) Practice disc golf for FREE at Wexford and Westhaven Trails parks.   Select link to park for locator map. 

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PLAY IT SAFE!

Help keep disc golf safe and open during COVID-19 by practicing the following: 

• Purchase and show proof of a daily or annual permit.
  • Available online only: cityofmadison.com/parks/permits
• Maintain at least 6 feet between people.
  • Social distancing must be observed at all times, unless the players are from the same household.
• Do not gather in groups or congregate before or after play.
  • Max 4 players per hole.
• Retrieve disc without touching the basket.
• Do not share equipment.
• Do not leave trash behind!
• Consider wearing a face-covering.
• Use hand sanitizer.

For more information on Parks updates and changes due to COVID-19, visit cityofmadison.com/parks/coronavirus 

• View COVID-19 for all impacted City services. 
• More information: Public Health Madison & Dane County

 

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Madison Parks offers three seasonal disc golf courses. 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 2020 permit is valid through December 31, 2020. 

2020 Fees

Daily	$5
Annual	$40
Replacement	$12

 

 

HOW TO PURCHASE A PERMIT

• ONLINE
• On-site at kiosk - temporarily unavailable

View all Disc Golf Courses

• Elver Park Disc Golf Course

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

OPEN WITH PRECAUTIONS: When spending time outside during COVID-19, please follow these recommendations from Public Health Madison & Dane County:

• Maintain a physical distance of at least 6' from anyone outside your household.
• Some trails are bike and pedestrian shared. Bicyclists, remain 6' from pedestrians and give a courtesy alert to others that you are passing on the left.  

MORE PATH TIPS  View all Hiking

ICE RINKS and LAGOONS: Closed for the Season (03/01/2020) 
Staff is no longer maintaining or monitoring ice conditions and all locations closed. 

Learn more about our ADOPT ICE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM 

View all Ice Skating

• Elver Park - Ice Skating

  Location: 1250 McKenna Blvd.
  Available: Skate Rental and Concessions
  Maintained By: City of Madison Parks Division
  
  Closed
  
  More Information: Skating at Elver Park
  

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

Open with precautions and adjustments. 

PLAY IT SAFE!

Help keep pickleball courts safe and open during COVID-19 by practicing the following:

• Stay home if you are ill.
• Only two individuals per court at a time.
• Play is limited to every other court.
• Limit play to one game if others are waiting.
• Maintain at least 6 feet between people outside of your household at all times.
• Do not touch or share equipment or game balls.
• Do not leave trash behind!
• Consider wearing a face-covering.
• Use hand sanitizer and avoid touching common touchpoints such as gate, nets, etc.
• Avoid direct contact with others such as paddle tapping and hand contact.
• Bring a full personal use water bottle(s), drinking fountains not available.
• Avoid congregating off-court.
• No organized groups including lessons, team practices, or matches.

For more information on Parks updates and changes due to COVID-19, visit cityofmadison.com/parks/coronavirus

• Sports Guidance and FAQs
• View COVID-19 for all impacted City services. 
• More information: Public Health Madison & Dane County 

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Garner Park offers Madison's only dedicated pickleball courts, plus we have a number of tennis courts lined for pickleball throughout the city. Rules of the game, adopted by the USA Pickleball Association  may be found here. 

Pickleball courts may be reserved ONLINE.

PICKLEBALL LESSONS offered at Garner Park - June through September LEARN MORE

View all Pickleball Courts

• Elver Park - Pickleball Court

  Surface: Asphalt
  Lighted: No
  Number of Courts: 3
  

OPEN: (Updated 06/15/2020) Playgrounds are open with the following precautions: 

• Maintain at least 6' between people outside of your immediate household.
• Consider sanitizing common touchpoints.
• Use hand sanitizer after use. 

View COVID-19 for all impacted City services. More information: Public Health Madison & Dane County
 

View all Playgrounds

• Elver Park - Playground

MANY OPEN: high use locations are open as a phased-in plan due to limited staffing to safely clean each facility. As of 06/19/2020, the following restrooms, listed alphabetically by park name, are open. You may anticipate these to be open daily by 10:00am, until posted otherwise. 

New signage once open includes:
RESTROOM GUIDELINES

• Help us keep restrooms OPEN AND CLEAN. Put trash in receptacles.   
• Maintain 6' physical space with members outside of your household.
  • Based on restroom size, this may mean one person at a time or every other stall. 
• Wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.

FOR MORE PARK CHANGES AND UPDATES DUE TO COVID-19, VISIT:
cityofmadison.com/parks/coronavirus

View COVID-19 for all impacted City services. More information: Public Health Madison & Dane County

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Restrooms are located throughout the parks system and in most cases in a park with a reservable shelter.  Most of the restrooms are available only during the summer months. Restrooms available during the winter months include those open for winter activities at the following parks:   Tenney, Vilas, Elver, Olbrich, Warner and Westmorland Parks.

No firearms or weapons are permitted on this property. Violators are considered trespassers and subject to forfeiture or arrest.

View all Restrooms

• Elver Park Shelter #1

  Location: 1260 McKenna Blvd
  Lighted: Yes
  Open Year-Round: No
  

• Elver Park Shelter #2 (Enclosed)

  Location: 1250 McKenna Blvd
  Lighted: Yes
  Open Year-Round: Yes
  
  Notes: Restrooms are open during the winter season when staffed for recreation rentals & concessions.

• Elver Park Softball Restrooms

  Lighted: Yes
  Open Year-Round: No
  

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

OPEN, Limited Reservations (update 09/10/2020): Following the Forward Dane plan, gatherings are allowed with restrictions. We are currently taking reservations at select shelter locations. Shelters may also available on a first-come, first-served basis with the same restrictions. Please call (608) 266-4711 for more information and inquire about a reservation.

• Outdoor gatherings are limited to no more than 25 people. 
• Indoor gatherings are limited to no more than 10 people.
• Maintain at least 6' between people outside of your immediate household.
• Masks are required for all persons aged 5 years and older. 
• Consider sanitizing picnic tables and benches before use.
• Do not share food and beverages. Avoid serving food as a buffet, potluck or family-style.

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Reservations and checking the availability of our larger shelters may be completed ONLINE or you may call the Madison Parks Office at (608) 266-4711 Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 4:15 pm. More information and details on reserving a large shelter may be found in our Shelter Reservations Guide.

Most shelters are open mid-April through mid-October. There are a few 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)

Please Note: We are continually improving our park system. Some of these improvements may impact a nearby shelter. Prior to making a reservation, please visit Parks Projects for more information on specific parks.

FEES:
Pricing varies depending on the shelter and may be viewed here. 

SPECIAL NOTES: 

• Picnic shelters are also reservable or available on a first-come, first served basis.
• 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. There are a handful of parks that are alcohol-free. In order to have alcohol in these parks, you must have a reservation and an alcohol permit, which can be obtained when placing your reservation.
• 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. 

View all Large Shelters

• Elver Park Shelter #1

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

• Elver Park Shelter #2 (Enclosed)

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

Slacklining is a balance sport which uses nylon webbing, typically 1"-2" wide, suspended horizontally between two anchor points. Slacklining and hammocking, under policy are allowed at specific times and on specific park trees. In December 2017, the Board of Park Commissioners approved a policy and guidelines for slacklining and hammocking on park trees. The policy provides inforomation on when, where and how. Please review the following documents before tethering on any park trees. 

• POLICY & GUIDELINES
• TREE PROTECTION
• TREE IDENTIFICATION

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. Sledding hills are not maintained by parks staff.

The Elver Park sledding hill is one of the most popular and is lit for nighttime sledding during the open season. Sleds are available to purchase or to rent from the Elver Park winter shelter (see website for schedule). 

PLEASE NOTE: For your safety, and to uphold the quality of our landscapes, please do not use the sledding hills without a significant snow base.

View all Sledding

• Elver Park - Sledding

  Warming House: Yes
  Concessions: Yes
  

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 266-4711.  Find out more about Athletic Field Reservations.
 

FIELDS, OPEN OR CLOSED?

The best and ONLY way to know if your field is open for play is to call the Rainout Line (608)267-8787. Weekdays the line will be updated by 2:00pm, weekends and holidays the line will be updated by 9:00am. The line will be updated if fields are questionable, if no update by times listed, fields are open for play.
 

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 266-4711.  Find out more about Athletic Field Reservations.

FIELDS, OPEN OR CLOSED?

The best and ONLY way to know if your field is open for play is to call the Rainout Line (608)267-8787. Weekdays the line will be updated by 2:00pm, weekends and holidays the line will be updated by 9:00am. The line will be updated if fields are questionable, if no update by times listed, fields are open for play.

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

Please report mechanical or operating issues: (608) 228-1298              

View all Splash Parks

• Elver Park Splash Park

  # of Water Features:
  Surface:
  

Open with precautions and adjustments. 

PLAY IT SAFE!

Help keep tennis and pickleball courts safe and open during COVID-19 by practicing the following:

• Maintain at least 6 feet between people outside of your household at all times.
• Avoid common touchpoints, shared equipment or game balls.
• Do not leave trash behind!
• Consider wearing a face-covering.
• Use hand sanitizer and avoid touching common touchpoints such as gate, nets, etc.
• No organized group tennis: including lessons, team practices, or matches.

For more information on Parks updates and changes due to COVID-19, visit cityofmadison.com/parks/coronavirus

• Sports Guidance and FAQs
• View COVID-19 for all impacted City services. 
• More information: Public Health Madison & Dane County 

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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
 

View all Tennis Courts

• Elver Park - Tennis Court

  Surface: Asphalt
  Lighted: No
  Number of Courts: 3