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Marshall Park

Marshall Park
Address: 2101 Allen Blvd.
Hours: 4:00am - 10:00pm
Park Type: Community
Acres: 37.07
Restroom: Yes
Drinking Water: Yes
Shoreline On: Lake Mendota

Park Details

Nestled on the western edge of Lake Mendota, Marshall Park is not far from the city of Middleton.  While the park appeals to a number of boaters because of its location and the high quality of its launching area, it also attracts a variety of recreational, park enthusiasts who come to bike, fish, swim, picnic, play volleyball, or simply relax.  With a small though charming sandy beach (the children's favorite), a surrounding of old growth, deciduous trees that lend a welcoming shade on a warm, summer day, and a string of open, grassy spaces, one of any age will find something to remember and cherish about this particular city park.

Since 2017, thanks to our partnership with Marshall Boats, park visitors can experience Marshall Park and Lake Mendota like never before. Boat rentals, including pontoons, a cafe and lessons are available.

 

At this Park

  • 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, beginning in June and continuing into early September at select locations. See below for specific days and times for each location.

    BEACHES with multiple lifeguards  
    • BB Clarke, daily 11am to 7pm (through Monday, September 2)
    • Olbrich, Wed. - Sun., 11am to 5pm (through Sunday, August 25)
    • Tenney, Wed. - Sun. 11am to 5pm (through Sunday, August 25)
    • Vilas, daily 11am to 7pm (through Monday, September 2)

    BEACHES with a single lifeguard ( through Sunday, August 18)
    • Bernie's, Friday - Sunday 12 to 4pm
    • Esther, Friday - Sunday 12 to 4pm
    • Spring Harbor, Friday - Sunday 12 to 4pm
    • Warner, Friday - Sunday 12 to 4pm

    NOTE: No lifeguard is on duty, if the beach is listed as closed due to the water quality, tested by Public Health Madison & Dane County, the weather or other factor.

    WATERCRAFT RENTALS & MORE (see also Canoe & Kayak Rentals)
    • Brittingham Park: Madison Boats
    • Olbrich Park: Rutabaga Paddlesport 
    • Marshall Park: Madison Boats

    BEACHES with no lifeguard service
    • Brittingham • James Madison • Marshall • Olin

    2019 Beach Conditions: Thank you for your patience as we continue to recover from last year's flood.  We are working to secure proper permits to replenish the sand at our beaches. We anticipate this work happening in early July.  Please continue to enjoy the beaches in the meantime.

    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

    • 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

  • Launch your watercraft or ATV!

    You haven't seen Madison until you've seen it from a lake. As a city built on an isthmus, Madison is surrounded by over 15,000 acres of sparkling lakes. 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 (see below). Piers are in place early-mid spring through fall. 
     

    OLIN PARK BOAT LAUNCH CLOSURE NOTICE:  

    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.
    • 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. 

    View all Boat Launches

    • 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

    View all Boat Mooring

    • Marshall Park - Boat Mooring

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

  • 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!

    View all Canoe & Kayak Rental

    • 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.

  • New Watercraft Spaces Available (07/30/19)

    We have new watercraft storage spaces available at Vilas, Warner, and Olin. Call (608) 266-4711 or EMAIL to reserve yours!

    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 boat storage for 2019 beginning in February 2019. All current users must renew or vacate before April 1, 2019. 
    • As spaces become available, those on the waitlist will be contacted after April 1 and given the opportunity to reserve a space.  
    2019 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
  • 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

    • Marshall 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

    • Marshall Park - Restroom

      Lighted: Yes
      Open Year-Round: No

    • Marshall Beach Bathhouse

      Lighted: Yes
      Open Year-Round: No
  • Many of the Madison Parks are located in ideal locations for sight seeing.  Enjoy the view! View all Scenic Overlooks

  • 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. 
    • 2020 RESERVATIONS: Available beginning on Lottery Day - Tuesday, November 12, 2019

    ANNUAL LOTTERY DAY - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2019


    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 by November 1.
    • 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

    • 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.
     

    Warner
    Warner Park

    View all Volleyball Courts

    • Marshall Park - Volleyball Court

      Surface: Sand
      Lighted: No
      Number of Courts: 1

About This Park

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