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Law Park

Law Park
Address: 410 S. Blair St.
Hours: 4:00am - 10:00pm
Park Type: Community
Acres: 4.66
Restroom: No
Drinking Water: Yes
Shoreline On: Lake Monona

Park Details

Alternate address: 355 John Nolen Drive

Alcohol is prohibited in this park.  For more information, see the Madison General Ordinance 8.24. In order to have alcohol in this park, you must have an alcohol permit, which may be obtained through the Parks Administrative Office.
 

Park Highlights

Home of the Mad-City Ski Team, offering free water ski shows nearly every Sunday Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend.

At this Park

  • Boat Launch News

    • Installations Update Friday, April 11
      • In: Law, Marshall, Olbrich, Olin, Tenney, Warner
      • Seasonal piers are starting to be installed this week. Due to their crane installation, timing is dependent on ground conditions and the wind/weather. 
    • Year-Round Piers
      • Lake Monona at Olbrich boat launch
      • Starkweather Creek kayak launch at Olbrich
      • Brittingham Bay near Brittingham shelter
      • Lake Mendota at Marshall and Spring Harbor boat launches
      • Yahara River at Cherokee Marsh South and Olin 
    • Free Fun Weekend - No permit is required!
      • Saturday & Sunday, June 7-8, 2025

    Madison Parks maintains boat launches to access both Mendota and Monona lakes to launch a motorboat, sailboat, iceboat, canoe, kayak, or ATVs. A daily or annual permit is required year-round. Piers are available from spring through mid-fall. Installation and removal are dependent on the weather and lake conditions. 

    • Lake Monona: Law, Olbrich, Olin 
    • Lake Mendota: Marshall, Spring Harbor, Tenney, Warner

    2025 Fees

    Daily $8
    Annual - Dane County Resident $50
    Annual - Non-Resident $60
    Annual - Dane County Senior (65+) & Disabled $25
    Annual - Non-Res Senior (65+) & Disabled $30
    Military/Veteran $25
    Duplicate/Replacement $20

    PURCHASE PERMIT

    • 2024 permit is valid through March 31, 2025. 
    • 2025 permit is available for purchase starting Nov. 1 and is valid from the time of purchase through March 31, 2026. 

    Lake Access Permit

    • A daily or annual permit is required year-round to launch a motorboat, sailboat, iceboat, canoe, kayak, or ATV.
    • See Ordinance 8.215 for details.
    • Purchase permit ONLINE or by calling during regular office hours. 
    • Iron rangers are NOT available for onsite cash purchasing. 
    • The permit is valid for the issue year through March 31 of the following year.
    • Permits for the following year may be purchased starting November 1 of the previous year. 
    • The permit should be displayed on the inside driver's side windshield. 
    • The permit is valid at designated launch sites throughout Dane County. MAP 

    Olbrich Boat Launch, Boaters Advised to Use Caution 
    Boaters are advised to use caution navigating the narrowed channel where the Starkweather Creek meets Lake Monona due to low lake levels and creek sediment. Dane County Land and Water Resources install channel markers to assist boaters. Boaters may consider launching at alternate sites such as Olin, Tonyawatha or Winnequah. Lake Access permit holders may use any of the designated launch sites throughout Dane County. 

    Launch Area Parking Rules and Tips (Ordinance 8.16)

    • Long stalls are for parking vehicles with trailers only. 
    • Regular-size stalls are for parking vehicles with no trailer only. 
    • Parking on the grass is prohibited.
    • When the launch parking lot is full, you must find an alternative launch site
    • Violators are subject to a citation. 

    View all Boat Launches

    • Law Park - Boat Launch

      Location: 410 S. Blair St.
      Lake Access Permit Required: Yes

      Notes: Access Lake Monona. No trailer parking. Limited standard parking.
  • Madison Parks offers various locations to launch a canoe or kayak and is allowed at all of Madison Parks motorboat launch sites. Additionally, the parks listed below have a specially designated area for launch.

    If you are looking to store your kayak or canoe in a park, please visit the storage webpage.
      View all Canoe & Kayak Launch Sites

  • Watercraft Storage Spaces 

    Explore Madison's beautiful lakes, rivers, and creeks by paddle and store your canoe, kayak or paddleboard on the shores of your favorite park. All storage racks are outdoors and uncovered. The annual storage period begins each year on April 1 and ends on March 15 of the following year.
     
    How to Reserve:
    • You may be placed on our waitlist at no charge by calling (608) 266-4711 or EMAIL. Please include your name, phone number, email address, and any order of preferences on storage location.
    • Current users can renew their watercraft storage yearly in late winter/early spring and no later than March 15.
    • As spaces become available, those on the waitlist will be contacted after April 1 and offered the opportunity to reserve a space.  
    2025 Fees
     
    City of Madison Resident - Annual, single watercraft $135
    City of Madison Resident - Annual, 2 watercraft, same space (100# max) $200
    Non-resident - Annual, single watercraft $260
    Non-resident - Annual, 2 watercraft, same space (100# max) $380
    (fees include tax)
    Watercraft storage rules include:
    • Watercraft must not exceed 100 pounds, 18' length, 42" width or 24" height.
    • Storage is for permitted watercraft only. No personal property or other watercraft may be kept on racks for any length of time.
    • Watercraft must be secured to the boat storage rack. The owner accepts all liability for theft or damage to their property.
    • Parks Staff reserves the right to cut any lock and remove any watercraft, under any condition it deems necessary for the function of the boat storage program.
    • View 2025 Agreement and Rules.  
    Additional storage may be available at the following: View all Canoe & Kayak Storage
  • Madison Parks offers seasonal and year-round fishing piers. Year-round locations include Brittingham Park (near shelter), Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park, South (School Road), Olbrich Park (Starkweather Creek), and Spring Harbor Park. 

    An accessible pier is located in Vilas Park, on Lake Wingra and at Warner Park, on the Warner Park lagoon.  

    Wisconsin residents aged 16 years old or older need a fishing license to fish in any waters of the state. Nonresidents aged 16 years old or older need a nonresident fishing license to fish in Wisconsin waters with hook and line. Visit the Wisconsin DNR website for more information.

    Every year, the first consecutive Saturday and Sunday in June and the third Saturday and Sunday in January, are designated as Free Fishing Weekends throughout the state of Wisconsin. Residents and nonresidents of all ages can fish without a fishing license (and trout stamps) over these two days.  Visit WI DNR
     
    MESSAGE FROM PUBLIC HEALTH MADISON & DANE COUNTY: Eating fish can be a delicious, low-cost, and nutritious meal. However, eating certain fish can also be harmful because they may contain mercury, PCBs, or PFAS. See PHMDC for more information. 
    View all Fishing

  • 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

About This Park

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