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James Madison Park

James Madison Park
Address: 614 E. Gorham St.
Hours: 4:00am - 10:00pm
Park Type: Community
Acres: 12.63
Restroom: Yes
Drinking Water: Yes
Shoreline On: Lake Mendota

Park Details

Located in downtown Madison, James Madison Park is no stranger to busy city life. Yet these twelve acres offer users an area ideally suited for refreshing the body and mind. The basketball courts, volleyball court, and playground are popular destinations for students and other residents. On nice days it's not uncommon to see at least a few pick-up games of soccer and Frisbee in the open grassy area.  The park is also home to the historic Gates of Heaven, which provides a beautiful location for weddings and other gatherings and complements the park's peaceful atmosphere. Whether you're in the mood for a friendly volleyball match or just a break from city life, treat yourself to a visit to James Madison Park.

Alternate address: 728 East Gorham Street

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.

The James Madison Park Master Plan was approved on February 13, 2019. 

 

Park Highlights

 
Photo Credit David Giroux
Photo Credit: David Giroux

At this Park

  • 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 
    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

    • James Madison Park - Basketball Court

      Surface: Asphalt
      Lighted: No
      Number of Courts: 2 full
  • Madison B-cycle is an urban bike sharing program that allows you to rent bikes. The bikes have adjustable seats for people of all sizes, as well as a basket for easy carrying. To join or learn more visit B-cycle. View all Madison Parks B-cycle Stations

  • OPEN (updated 07/03/2020): Beaches are open. Due to limited staffing resources, visitors will see the following service adjustments:

    • No lifeguards are on duty.
    • Restrooms are CLOSED. Nearby restrooms are open by 10:00am at the following parks with directional signage provided onsite. 
      • Marshall
      • Olbrich
      • Spring Harbor
      • Tenney
      • Vilas
      • Warner
    • Practice safe social distancing with anyone outside of your household.
    • Stay home if you feel ill.
    • While there are limited common touchpoints, use good hygiene and hand sanitizer. 
    Note the water may be closed due to water quality testing results preformed by Public Health Madison & Dane County.
    WATERCRAFT RENTALS & MORE (see also Canoe & Kayak Rentals)
    • Brittingham Park: Madison Boats
    • Olbrich Park: Rutabaga Paddlesport 
    • Marshall Park: Madison Boats
    • Wingra Park: Madison Boats


    FAQ: IF A BEACH IS CLOSED DUE TO THE WATER QUALITY, IS THE PARK STILL OPEN?
    Yes. Water quality testing is performed by Public Health Madison & Dane County Memorial Day to Labor Day. If a water test shows concerning results, the beach is listed as closed until bacteria or blue-green algae levels decline. During this time, there is no lifeguard service and you are advised to avoid the water. The park remains open to the public for other activities. It is also advised to avoid the water after heavy rainfall. MORE INFORMATION

    View all Beaches

    • James Madison Beach

      Public Health Water Testing:
      Closed
      Address: 614 E. Gorham St.
      Restroom: Yes
      Drinking Water: Yes
      Parking: Street Parking
      Amenities: Picnic Tables, Playground, Volleyball

      Swim Ropes: Yes
      Lifeguard: No

      Beach Details
  • 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.

    James Madison Park pier update (07/31/19): The pier at James Madison Parks sustained significant damaged during the flood of 2018 and was removed. Due to FEMA regulations and approvals, the replacement of this pier has been delayed. Unfortunately, we do not have a timeline for its replacement.  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 31 of the following year.
     
    How to Reserve:
    • You may be placed on our waitlist at no charge by call (608) 266-4711 or EMAIL. 
    • Current users will be able to renew their watercraft storage beginning in late winter/early spring each year and must renew by April 1.
    • As spaces become available, those on the waitlist will be contacted after April 1 and given the opportunity to reserve a space.  
    2020 Storage costs (tax included):
    $110 Madison Resident
    $200 Non-Resident

    Watercraft storage rules include:
    • Watercraft must not exceed 80 pounds, 18' length, 42" width or 24" height.
    • Storage is for permitted watercraft only. No personal property.
    • Only one watercraft is allowed in each space.
    • Watercraft must be secured to the boat storage rack. 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.
    • See agreement for complete rules.
    If you believe your watercraft has been stolen or removed by Parks staff: Call a Park Ranger to report at (608) 235-0448.

    Additional storage may be available at the following: View all Canoe & Kayak Storage
  • 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
    View all Fishing
  • More information on historic buildings or district questions may be found in the Department of Planning & Community & Economic Development Planning Division.

    Wisconsin has the highest concentration of burial mounds in the United States and the Madison area has one of the highest concentrations of burial mounds remaining. Most mounds were lost to 19th-century agricultural practices and city development. The mound builders were farmers who also engaged in hunting and gathering. They lived in small villages and migrated from one to another based on the seasonal availability of natural resources. The mounds often, but not always, have burials associated with them, but their exact purpose is not entirely understood. Mounds tend to have been built in places with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. The mounds are considered sacred by modern Native Americans and should be treated with respect.

    A Burial Mounds Policy was created with assistance from the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Ho-Chunk Nation, and approved by the Board of Park Commissioners in October 2019, the policy provides guidelines and procedures for managing burial mounds located in Madison Parks. Burial mound locations are also included in the policy. 

    View all Historical Features

    • Bernard-Hoover Boathouse

      Location: 622-1/2 E. Gorham Street
      Built: 1915

      Description: In the days before individual boat ownership became widespread, renting pleasure boats for lake excursions was a significant summer business in Madison. Numerous commercial enterprises developed here in the nineteenth century to cater to the demand, the first being the one German native Charles Bernard started on this site in 1855 as a fishing station.

      Gradually, Bernard's business expanded to include both boat and fishing gear rentals.

      By the 1890s Bernard was building his own boats as well, including several large, steam-powered excursion boats that operated on Lake Mendota. Bernard ferried picnickers to his private park (gone) near Mendota State Hospital. After his death in 1907, son William ran the business. William and his son Carl became known across the United States as avid ice boat builders and racers.

      In 1911 the Bernards replaced the original buildings with a larger frame structure. Four years later that building was destroyed by fire and was replaced with the present frame building. Carl Bernard sold out to Harry Hoover in 1943; Hoover continued to operate the board livery and gave excursion rides until 1968 when he sold the property to the City. Today the Bernard-Hoover boathouse is the only survivor of the early days of Madison's love affair with pleasure boating.

      The boathouse was designated a City of Madison landmark on October 18, 1976
       and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

      More Information: Landmark Nomination

    • Gates of Heaven Synagogue

      Location: 300 E. Gorham Street
      Built: 1863

      Description: Noted Madison architect, August Kutzbock, who was trained in Germany, designed this little gem of a building. He also used this distinctive Germanic style for the Pierce and Keenan Houses at Pinckney and Gilman Streets. Gates of Heaven (Shaare Shomain in Hebrew) was built in 1863 on W. Washington Avenue for Madison's first Jewish congregation. The building later served as the first Unitarian Society Meeting House, the Women's Christian Temperance Union, the First Church of Christ, Scientist, the English Lutheran Church and a funeral home. It was moved to this site in 1971 through the efforts of local citizens and the City of Madison to save it from the wrecking ball.

      Gates of Heaven was designated a City of Madison landmark on May 20,1974 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

      More Information: Landmark Nomination
  • 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: (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

    • James Madison Park - Playground

    • James Madison 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. 

    • Brittingham shelter and beach (partner location)
    • Burrows 
    • Cherokee Marsh Conservation - North 
    • Demetral 
    • Elver (new shelter) 
    • James Madison 
    • Marshall boat launch and beach (partner location) 
    • Olbrich softball/canoe launch & beach (partner location)
    • Olin
    • Owen Conservation 
    • Penn 
    • Reindahl
    • Spring Harbor boat launch 
    • Tenney pavilion 
    • Vilas shelter 
    • Warner boat launch and shelter 
    • Wingra boathouse (partner location)
    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
    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

    • James Madison Park Shelter

      Location: 614 E. Gorham St
      Lighted: Yes
      Open Year-Round: No

      Notes: Park Shelter and Bathhouse

  • 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.
     

    2021 Reservations 

    We will begin accepting 2021 shelter reservations at 8:00am on Tuesday, November 10, 2020. 
    • Full payment is due at the time of processing your reservation, along with any required permits.   
    • Credit card (MasterCard or Visa) is the only accepted method of payment.
    • Due to COVID-19, the Parks office remains closed to the public and we cannot accept cash or check as payment.
    • Dates NOT available due to Special Events will be posted HERE, by November 1, 2020. 
    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:

    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

    • Gates of Heaven

      Address: 302 E. Gorham St
      Capacity: Seats 98 people
      Restrooms: In shelter
      Water: Available in shelter
      Parking: Parking lot
      Alcohol-Free Park: Yes – alcohol permit is required.

      Shelter Details

    • James Madison Park Shelter

      Address: 614 E. Gorham St
      Capacity: 60
      Restrooms: In shelter
      Water: Available in shelter
      Parking: Street parking
      Alcohol-Free Park: Yes – alcohol permit is required.

      Shelter Details
  • Slacklining is a balance sport which uses nylon webbing, typically 1"-2" wide, suspended horizontaslacklininglly 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.  View all Slacklining and Hammocking

  • Most of the volleyball courts are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  If you are planning a new league or tournament see Athletic Field Reservations.
     

    Warner
    Warner Park

    View all Volleyball Courts

    • James Madison Park - Volleyball Court

      Location: By beach
      Surface: Sand
      Lighted: No
      Number of Courts: 1

About This Park

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