Sunrise or sunset? Take in some of the best views in town at one of the many beaches!

Water quality testing is performed Memorial Day through Labor Day by Public Health Madison & Dane County. If the water quality is not suitable for swimming, a scheduled lifeguard will not be on duty. Restrooms at beach locations are open only when a lifeguard is on duty. See schedule below.

See RESTROOMS to view all open locations. 

• Marshall Beach

  Public Health Water Testing:

  Closed

  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

Olin Boat Launch Reduced Access Alert (August 14, 2021)
Due to a permitted event, the Olin Park boat launch will have very limited access on Saturday, August 14. We recommend using one of the other boat launches to access Lake Monona, such as Law, Olbrich or Monona's Tonyawatha Park and Winnequah Trail.

See MAP for launch locations. 

ACCESS THE LAKES!

Surrounded by more than 15,000 acres of lakes, accessing the water is easy in Madison and surrounding communities with your Lake Access Permit.  A daily or annual permit is required year-round at designated sites to launch a motorboat, sailboat, iceboat, canoe, kayak, or ATV (see locations below). Piers are available spring through fall. Installation and removal are dependent on the weather and lake conditions.  

LAKE ACCESS PERMIT (Ordinance 8.215):

• A daily or annual permit is required year-round to launch a motorboat, sailboat, iceboat, canoe, kayak, or ATV.
• Purchase permit ONLINE or by calling during regular office hours. Onsite kiosks are not available. 
• The permit is valid for the issue year through March 31 of the following year.
• The permit should be displayed on the inside driver's side windshield. 

• 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. 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.
• 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

With more than 175 playgrounds throughout Madison, you are never too far from a playground. According to the Trust for Public Land, Madison ranks #1 in the nation for the number of playgrounds available. The traditional swings and slides are always an option, as are new play elements and fully accessible playgrounds. 

PLAYGROUNDS FOR EVERYONE
Through the Madison Parks Foundation initiative, Madison Parks offers all-inclusive playgrounds in Brittingham Park and Elver Park, opening in 2019.  The Foundation has a goal of 5 fully accessible playgrounds. 

PLAYGROUND REPLACEMENTS: HOW AND WHEN
Madison Parks is responsible for maintaining more than 175 playgrounds and began a system-wide replacement initiative in 2013. With current staff and funding resources, replacements are scheduled to continue through 2033. Playgrounds are routinely inspected to assess the equipment's conditions and repair any safety concerns. Based on the age of the equipment and current conditions, each is given an audit score. The number of playgrounds replaced each year is based on budget allocations, staffing resources, and using the current playground audit score for prioritization. 

REPLACEMENT PROCESS: NEIGHBORHOOD INPUT
At the start of the replacement process, notices are sent to the District Alder, neighborhood association representatives, and surrounding residential addresses. Information is also posted to the project website. Generally, two public meetings are held to review surfacing and equipment options and make final selections.

If you have questions about a specific playground or see something broken, please let us know. 

• Marshall Park - Playground

Public restrooms are located throughout the park system and in many locations with a reservable shelter. Year-round restrooms are open at Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North, Warner Boat Launch, and Owen Conservation Park.

Seasonal restrooms are generally open mid-April through mid-October, from approximately 10am to 8pm daily. It's important to note, the system-wide process to open or close restrooms and drinking fountains takes several weeks. Opening and closing dates are approximate and based on several factors such as the weather, staffing limitations and other unexpected maintenance priorities.  

• Marshall Park Boat Launch

  OPEN

2022 SHELTER RESERVATIONS - Begin November 9, 8:00am

• Most shelters are open mid-April through mid-October (see exceptions below). 
• The Shelter Reservations Guide provides details on seating capacities, and amenities such as outlets, fireplaces, and picnic tables.

Shelter Open Schedule 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)

Note: 

• Picnic shelters may now be reserved online or by calling or are 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.
• 2022 reservations begin at 8:00am on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 

• 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