CLOSED: (Updated 05/14/2020) On May 13, 2020, the Wisconsin Supreme Court voted to invalidate the Safer at Home order issued by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, effective immediately. As a result, Public Health Madison & Dane County issued an order that incorporates the elements of the statewide Safer at Home order for the city of Madison and Dane County, effective immediately.

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 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

• Heritage Heights Park - Basketball Court

  Surface: Asphalt
  Lighted: No
  Number of Courts: 1 full
  

Dog Free Parks provide a place to recreate or relax without the presence of dogs. In early 2020 Madison Common Council approved the revised ordinance (MGO 8.19) allowing dogs, on-leash in most Madison Parks. The following locations prohibit dogs and are approved by the Board of Park Commissioners and as such, locations can and may change as we continue to implement the policy.

In addition, a number of locations continue to prohibit dogs. 

• Conservation parks 
• Burial mounds 
• City of Madison Golf Courses (during the golf season) 
• Olbrich Botanical Gardens 
• Playgrounds and areas within 20 feet of a playground surface 
• Splash parks, fenced areas(s) surrounding a splash park, and areas within 20 feet of the splash park surface 
• Goodman Pool and Breese Stevens Field (except for special events where dogs are specifically invited) 
• Programmed sports fields and facilities that are enclosed or substantially enclosed by a fence, whether in use or not 
• Programmed, non-fenced sports fields such as soccer, ultimate fields or softball/baseball diamonds while they are in use for programmed activities 
• Inside of shelters or other buildings 
• Groomed cross-country ski trails 
• In the water or on the beach at designated beach locations 
• Park special events except where the sponsor has requested to allow dogs, with the Park Superintendent's approval

Violators may and should be reported by contacting a Park Ranger (608) 235-0448.

View all Dog Free Parks

• Heritage Heights Park - Dog Free Park

  Location: 701 Meadowlark Dr.
  

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

• Heritage Heights Park - Ice Skating

  Location: 701 Meadowlark Dr.
  Maintained By: Adopt Ice Partnership
  
  Closed
  
  More Information: Skating at Heritage Heights Park
  

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

• Heritage Heights Park - Open Field Games

Opening: (Updated 05/20/2020) On May 18, 2020, Public Health Madison & Dane County announced the Forward Dane Plan, a plan for the phased reopening of Dane County during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the current Emergency Order #2, tennis and pickleball courts may begin opening May 19 with restrictions and adjustments. The system-wide reopening is anticipated to take up to three days to complete. We appreciate your patience during this time. 

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

• 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

• Heritage Heights Park - Pickleball Court

  Surface: Asphalt
  Lighted: No
  Number of Courts: 2
  
  Notes: Tennis/Pickleball Court

Madison Parks offers smaller picnic shelters that may be reserved for exclusive use or are available on a first-come, first served basis when not previously reserved.  Please call (608) 266-4711 to check availability and reserve your favorite shelter. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. 
 
2019 FEES & PERMITS:

• Picnic Shelter Reservation: $35/day, including tax
• Amplified Sound Permit (optional): Please ask when reserving
• Temporary Structure Permits:  $110/day, including tax
• Beer Permit (optional): Please ask when reserving. It is required in a few parks.

SPECIAL NOTES:

• Additional large shelters are reservable online (except Gates of Heaven)
• 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 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 a reservation.
• All picnic shelters are open year-round, however, if the picnic shelter has restrooms, these are open seasonally (closed winter/cold months).
• Firearms or weapons are not permitted at any of the shelters. Violators may be considered trespassers and may be subject to forfeiture or arrest.
• **IMPORTANT**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 the Park Projects website for a partial list of major capital improvement projects.

CHANGES & CANCELLATIONS OF PICNIC SHELTER RESERVATIONS:

• Cancellation requests must be submitted to the Parks Administration Office in writing to:
  210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, #104, Madison, WI  53703 or by email. 
• There is no charge to change the date and/or location, if the request is received 28 days or more prior to event date.
• Full refunds are given, at no charge for cancellation requests received at least 28 days prior to the event date.
• Cancellations and changes received 27 to 11 days prior to the event date (counting notice date and event date) will incur a $10 administrative fee. 
• No cancellations or changes will be accepted 10 days or fewer before the event date (counting notice date and event date).

 

View all Picnic Shelters

• Heritage Heights Park Picnic Shelter

  Restrooms: No
  Lighted: Yes
  

CLOSED: (Updated 05/14/2020) On May 13, 2020, the Wisconsin Supreme Court voted to invalidate the Safer at Home order issued by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, effective immediately. As a result, Public Health Madison & Dane County issued an order that incorporates the elements of the statewide Safer at Home order for the city of Madison and Dane County, effective immediately.

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

View all Playgrounds

• Heritage Heights Park - Playground

Opening: (Updated 05/18/2020) On May 18, 2020, Public Health Madison & Dane County announced the Forward Dane Plan, a plan for the phased reopening of Dane County during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the current Emergency Order #2, tennis and pickleball courts may begin opening May 19 with restrictions and adjustments. The system-wide reopening is anticipated to take up to three days to complete. We appreciate your patience during this time. 

PLAY IT SAFE!

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

• Only two individuals per court at a time.
• Play is limited to every other court.
• 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.
• 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

• 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

• Heritage Heights Park - Tennis Court

  Surface: Asphalt
  Lighted: No
  Number of Courts: 2
  
  Notes: Tennis/Pickleball Court