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. 

• Marshall Beach

  Public Health Water Testing:

  Open

  Address: 2101 Allen Blvd.
  Restroom: Yes
  Drinking Water: Yes
  Parking: Parking Lot
  Amenities: Boat Ramp, Canoe/Kayak Rental, Concessions, Picnic Tables, Playground, Volleyball
  
  Swim Ropes: No
  Lifeguard: No
  
  Beach Details

OPEN WITH PRECAUTIONS - HELP KEEP PIERS OPEN AND SAFE!
As of 04/09/2020: Piers are installed at Marshall, Olbrich, Olin, Tenney and Warner and may be used with the following precautions:

• One Person per Pier - please take turns and be courteous of others 
• Common Touchpoints - use gloves, and hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes
• Daily and Annual Permits - may be purchased ONLINE only, iron rangers are temporarily removed

Launch your watercraft or ATV!

Surrounded by over 15,000 acres of lakes, accessing the water is easy in Madison and surrounding communities with your Lake Access Permit.  A daily or annual Lake Access Permit is required year-round for launching a motorboat, sailboat, iceboat, canoe, kayak, or ATV from a designated lake access parking lots (see locations below). Piers are in place early/mid-spring through fall. 

LAKE ACCESS PERMIT (Ordinance 8.215):
• A daily or annual Lake Access Permit is required year-round for launching a motorboat, sailboat, iceboat, canoe, kayak, or ATV from a designated lake access parking lot and may be purchased ONLINE.
• The permit is valid for the issue year through March 31 of the following year at designated launch sites in Madison, Monona and Dane County (see brochure map).
• The permit should be displayed on the inside driver's side windshield 

DESIGNATED CITY OF MADISON LAUNCH LOCATIONS BY LAKE

LAKE MONONA: Law, Olbrich, Olin 
LAKE MENDOTA: Marshall, Spring Harbor, Tenney, Warner

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. 

• Marshall Park - Boat Launch

  Lake Access Permit Required: Yes
  

Sailboat mooring spaces are available to rent from May 1 through October 20 annually.  These spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Preference is given to City of Madison residents. Any additional names will be placed on a waiting list. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications for mooring spaces.  

For more information or to rent a mooring space, please call (608) 266-4711.

Rental Fees (tax included):
$825 Madison Resident
$1,145 Non-Resident

• Marshall Park - Boat Mooring

  Notes: The Marshall Park mooring field has 30 sailboat spaces available for rent. Please call to check availability.

Interested in getting out on one of Madison's lakes but you don't have your own watercraft? No problem! We have partners at locations throughout the city offering these great lake amenities!

• Madison Boats at Marshall Park

  Telephone: (608) 228-8333
  More Information: Madison Boats at Marshall Park
  Notes: Available: Pontoon Boats, single and tandem kayaks, stand up paddleboards, canoes, pizza and ice cream.

Watercraft Storage Spaces 

• 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.  

• 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.

• Brittingham Park: Brittingham Boats 608-250-2555
• Olbrich Park: Rutabaga Paddlesports 608-513-1308
• Wingra Park: Wingra Boats 608-233-5332

OPEN: (Updated 06/15/2020) Under the Forward Dane Phase 2, playgrounds are open. You may continue to see a "closed" sign, as the process to remove system-wide may take several weeks.  Please use with the following precautions: 

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

• Marshall 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. 

• 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.

• Marshall Park - Restroom

  Lighted: Yes
  Open Year-Round: No
  

• Marshall Beach Bathhouse

  Lighted: Yes
  Open Year-Round: No
  
  Notes: Restroom facilities are open when Madison Boats is open.

OPEN, No Reservations (update 07/02/2020): Under Forward Dane, mass gatherings are allowed with limitations and shelters are available on a first-come, first-served basis only. We are not taking shelter reservations through July 31. This date may be extended in compliance with the latest order. 

• 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.
• Consider sanitizing picnic tables and benches before use.
• Do not share food and beverages. Avoid serving food as a buffet, potluck or family-style.

ANNUAL LOTTERY DAY - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2020

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 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 Special Events are posted 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.

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)

• 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. 
• 2021 RESERVATIONS: Available beginning on Lottery Day - Tuesday, November 10, 2020

• Marshall Park Shelter

  Address: 2101 Allen Blvd
  Capacity: Seats 100 people
  Restrooms: In separate building
  Water: Not available in shelter
  Parking: Parking lot
  
  
  Shelter Details

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.
 

• Marshall Park - Volleyball Court

  Surface: Sand
  Lighted: No
  Number of Courts: 1