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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 historical 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.
 

James Madison Park At a Glance

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Park Highlights

 
Photo Credit David Giroux
Photo Credit: David Giroux

At this Park

  • 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

    • 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

  • It's Lake Time!

     

    Madison Parks has some of the best lake views in the area with beaches located throughout the city. Seasonal lifeguard service is provided at select beaches.

    DAILY STAFFED BEACHES  - 11:00AM TO 7:00PM
    (Friday, June 8 - Monday, September 3, 2018)

    WEEKEND STAFFED BEACHES - 12:30-4:30PM SATURDAY/SUNDAY
    (Saturday, June 9 - Sunday, September 2, 2018 and Wednesday, July 4)

    UNSTAFFED BEACHES

    Water quality conditions are monitored in-season by Public Health Madison & Dane County Beach Conditions and may list a beach as CLOSED. Lifeguards will not be on-duty during this time, or during inclement weather.  It is also adviced to avoid swimming after a heavy rainfall. MORE INFORMATION

    View all Beaches

    • James Madison Beach

      Status:
      Open
      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 motor boat launch sites. Additionally, the parks listed below have a special 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 

    Make your summer paddling a breeze by storing 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 obtain:
    As of May 23, 2018, all storages spaces have been reserved for 2018. You may be placed on our waitlist at no charge by calling: (608) 266-4711 or EMAILING. 

    Storage costs (tax included):
    $100 Madison Residents
    $175 Non-Residents

    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 the Parks Weekend Supervisor to report at (608) 261-9295.

    Additional storage may be available at the following: View all Canoe & Kayak Storage

  • Take your pooch to a park: 26 locations


    Licensed and permitted dogs are allowed, on-leash & on path as posted in the following 26 parks.

    In February 2017 the Board of Park Commissioners and the Madison Common Council approved the on-leash dog parks pilot program. More information. In summary, under this ordinance, an additional 14 parks joined the existing 12 parks where dogs are permitted on-leash and on-path, where posted. It is the intent that within these new parks, dogs will be limited to the paved paths, or within six-feet thereof, which will be posted as such at the entrances, subject to the existing requirements that the dog be under the owner or handler's control, the dog is licensed and has a permit to use dog exercise areas.

    All other parks, with the exception of the 8 off-leash dog parks, dogs are not allowed, including children's play areas, beaches, athletic fields, conservation parks or in any park building.

    PERMIT FREE DAY: Madison Parks in partnership with Dane County Parks annually offer one "free day" per year when no permit is requied. This is typically in June and posted at least one month in advance.

    View all Dog On-Leash Areas

    • James Madison Park - Dog On-Leash Area

      Location: 614 E. Gorham St
  • 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
  • Additional information on historic buildings or district questions may be found in the Department of Planning & Community & Economic Development Planning Division website.

    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

  • Madison Parks has 175 playgrounds to spark your imagination right in your neighborhood. In fact, the City of Madison has the most playgrounds per resident of any city in the nation, with almost 2 more playgrounds per 1,000 residents than the city that got second place!  From swing sets, to unique climbing features our playgrounds are perfect for your toddler to your teen. 

    View all Playgrounds

    • James Madison Park - Playground

    • James Madison Park - Playground

  • 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 Bernard Boathouse

      Lighted: Yes
      Open Year-Round: No

      Notes: Bernard-Hoover Boathouses

  • Reservations and checking 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. 
    • 2019 RESERVATIONS: Available beginning on Lottery Day - Tuesday, November 13, 2018.

    ANNUAL LOTTERY DAY


    WHAT IS LOTTERY DAY?  This is the first day you may make a shelter reservation for the following year. Held typically on the 2nd Tuesday in November, the day begins with in-person reservations (see below), and follows with phone-in and online reservations.
     
    WHAT IS THE PROCESS?

    • Beginning at 7:30am on and ending promptly at 7:59am, each party wishing to reserve a park shelter is given a numbered lottery ticket. The distribution takes place in the lobby of the City-County Building, outside the Parks Administrative Office (210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Rm. 104)
      • Due to the random drawing process, arriving prior to 7:30am is not recommended or necessary. The building is locked until 7:30am.
      • Only ONE lottery ticket is given to each party reserving a shelter. Failure to abide by this rule may forfeit your eligibility in the Lottery Day process.
    • Beginning at 8:00am, random lottery tickets are drawn. This order establishes when reservations are processed.
      • If you arrive after the drawing begins, you will need to wait until the Lottery Day process is complete before you may place your reservation. 
    • Cash, checks or credit cards (MasterCard or Visa) are accepted for your full payment, which is due at the time of processing your reservation, along with any required permits. 
    • Dates NOT available due to long-standing annual Special Events listed HERE.
    • Cancellation Policy: Reservations made during the Lottery Day process will receive only a 50% refund up until 10 days prior to the reservation. Within 10 days, no refunds are provided.

    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.

    View all Volleyball Courts

    • James Madison Park - Volleyball Court

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

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