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Olbrich Park

Olbrich Park
Address: 3527 Atwood Ave.
Hours: 4:00am - 10:00pm
Park Type: Community
Acres: 66.85
Restroom: Yes
Drinking Water: Yes
Shoreline On: Lake Monona & Starkweather Creek

Park Details

Whether you are looking for a day of leisure, a picnic with your family, or just a great place to revitalize, Olbrich Park is the place to be.  Located on Madison's East side along the skirt of Lake Monona and adjacent to Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Olbrich Park is one of Madison's largest lakefront parks.  With its diverse athletic facilities you are sure to enjoy a good game of soccer, volleyball, softball, or football.  Bring a team or just a friend to play on the basketball or tennis courts.  Olbrich Park has many amenities sure to interest anybody in any season.  In the summer you can soothe yourself by watching the ducks, fishing off the pier, launching your boat or just savoring the beauty of the open water.  Bring the kids for a swim at the beach or have playtime on the play equipment.  During the winter months, take time to practice your skills at the ice skating rink or bring a sled and glide down the spacious sledding hill.  The scenic skyline view of the isthmus adds serenity to an early morning jog and it adds a romantic glow to an evening stroll.  Anytime is a great time to venture to one of Madison's first established city parks, Olbrich Park.

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.

Olbrich Park At a Glance

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Park Highlights


Biergarten Proposal Status
Madison Parks welcomes input from the community on determining the best path to ensure our quality parks systems evolves in a way that is embraced by the community.  There has been a lot of input and questions.  The documents below provide an overview of the proposal process and an attempt to answer many of the questions.

Background Information
Anticipated Public Input Timeline 2017
City of Madison Parks Division Q & A
BKM Proposal Website
BKM Q & A
Agreement (available on Legistar with the Common Council February 7, 2017 agenda)

 

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

    • Olbrich Park - Basketball Court

      Location: By softball fields
      Surface: Asphalt
      Lighted: No
      Number of Courts: 1 full

    • Olbrich Park - Basketball Court

      Location: By tennis courts
      Surface: Asphalt
      Lighted: No
      Number of Courts: 2 full

    • Olbrich Park - Basketball Court

      Location: Garrison Street
      Surface: Asphalt
      Lighted: No
      Number of Courts:
  • 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

  • Enjoy a day in the sun and water for FREE!


    Madison Parks provides seasonal lifeguard services at select beaches.

    DAILY STAFFED BEACHES  - 11:00AM TO 7:00PM
    (FRIDAY, JUNE 9 - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2017)
    WEEKEND STAFFED BEACHES - 12:30-4:30PM SATURDAY/SUNDAY
    (SATURDAY, JUNE 10 - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2017, and Tuesday, July 4)
    UNSTAFFED BEACHES
    Brittingham Park
    James Madison Park
    Marshall Park, now offering Marshall Boat rentals, cafe and lessons! 
    Olin Park

    Lifeguards will not be on-duty when beaches are closed by Public Health or during inclement weather. Water quality conditions are monitored in-season by Public Health Madison & Dane County Beach Conditions and may list a beach as CLOSED. It is also advice to avoid swimming after a heavy rainfall. More information.

    Please note: Improvements are happening at Esther Park beach! Due to reconstruction, the beach will be closed for the 2017 season.

    View all Beaches

    • Olbrich Beach

      Status:
      Closed
      Address: 3527 Atwood Avenue
      Restroom: Yes
      Drinking Water: Yes
      Parking: Parking Lot
      Amenities: Boat Ramp, Canoe/Kayak Rental, Concessions, Picnic Tables, Volleyball

      Swim Ropes: Yes
      Lifeguard: Yes (not on duty today)
      Lifeguard is off duty today due to off season.

      Beach Details

  • Launch your watercraft!


    City of Madison Parks maintains a number of sight-seeing and boat launch piers throughout the city's lakefront parks. The piers are put in during the springtime and taken out again in late fall.  A Lake Access Permit is required for some* launch sites and is available on an annual or daily basis. Additionally, ATVs may access frozen lakes using these launch sites with a Lake Access Permit.

    Parking:
    • Parking on the grass is prohibited at ALL of the Madison Parks, including all boat launch sites, Ordinance 8.16.
    • When the launch parking lot is full, you must find an alternative launch site. Vehicles that launch boats must purchase and display the proper Lake Access Permit.
    • Parking in the long stalls is for vehicles with trailers only. Parking in the short stalls is for single vehicles only, Ordinance 8.21.

    2017 Closure Notices:
    • Olin Park boat launch will be closed Thursday, August 3 (4am to 4pm) and Saturday, August 5 (4am to 12pm).

    *A Lake Access Permit is required year-round at Law, Marshall, Olbrich, Olin, Spring Harbor, Tenney, and Warner parks.

    View all Boat Launches

    • Olbrich Park - Boat Launch

      Lake Access Permit Required: Yes
  • 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

  • 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

    • Rutabaga Rentals at Olbrich Park

      Telephone: 608-513-1308
      More Information: Rutabaga Rentals at Olbrich Park
      Notes: Available: single and tandem kayaks, stand up paddleboards, fishing kayak
  • Make your summer paddling a breeze by storing your canoe, kayak or paddleboard on the shores of your favorite park.

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

    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 a storage rack spot for your canoe or kayak:
    1. Choose the park where you are interested in storing your watercraft(s).
    2. If space(s) is available, you can purchase a storage spot, or be put on a waiting list for that particular park. To purchase the permit storage sticker, you must bring proof of residency to the Madison Parks Administration office, 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Room 104; office hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00a.m. - 4:30p.m.
    3. Place the permit sticker on your watercraft on the port side where is will be visible for inspection.
    4. Place your watercraft in your assigned space on the boat storage rack.

    Watercraft storage rack rules:
    1. Watercraft must not exceed 80 pounds, 18 feet in length, 42 inches in width or 24 inches in height.
    2. Items stored in the storage area are limited to watercraft only. No unauthorized personal property is to be stored on the premises.
    3. Only one watercraft is allowed in each space.
    4. Premises are to be left in original condition upon termination of permit period.
    5. Permit must be visible at all times.
    6. Watercraft must be fully contained within the designated space.
    7. 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.
    8. Watercraft must be secured to the boat storage rack. Owner accepts all liability for theft or damage to their property.

    If you believe your watercraft has been stolen or removed by Parks staff:
    Call the Parks Weekend Supervisor to report at 261-9295.

    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

  • Winter activities are abundant in Madison Parks! Enjoy free ice skating* at ice rinks located throughout the city! Amenities at each location vary and include evening lighting, restrooms, hockey boards, warming shelters, skate rentals (figure and hockey), hockey stick rentals and concessions.

    Elver, Tenney and Vilas parks offer a warming shelter with ice skate rentals and concessions in the afternoon and weekends, typically opening at MMSD's winter break and continuing as the ice rinks are OPEN. See below for the ice rinks status and check the individual warming shelter page for hours and amenities. You may also consider subscribing for our email updates through My Account.

    *IMPORTANT NOTE: For the safety of everyone, ice rinks are only open with a consistent ice depth of greater than 5 inches. Please remain off the ice until officially OPEN. See below for the status of each rink.

    EVENTS & ACTIVITIES:

    HOCKEY BOARDS: Elver, Olbrich, Tenney, Vilas, Westmorland
     

    ADOPT ICE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
    Recognizing the value in year round outdoor recreation, the Adopt Ice Partnership relies on dedicated volunteers to assist parks staff with flooding the rink, removing snow, and overall keeping the rink in good condition. Through this partnership we are able to offer additional ice skating rinks beyond those solely maintained by Parks staff. For more information, please email.

    View all Ice Skating

    • Olbrich Park - Ice Rink

      Location: 201 Garrison St.
      Maintained By: Adopt Ice Partnership
      Closed

      More Information: Skating at Olbrich Park

  • Madison Parks are a unique blend of active recreation and passive recreation spaces.  Open Fields are just that - open, not pre-designed as a softball diamond, or football field.  These open fields are available in these parks to spark your imagination, play a game of tag, or follow the leader - or anything you can think of!  Enjoy your parks!

    View all Open Fields

    • Olbrich Park - Open Field Games

  • 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

    • Olbrich Park - Playground

    • Olbrich Park - Playground

    • Olbrich 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

    • Olbrich Beach Bathhouse

      Lighted: Yes
      Open Year-Round: No

    • Olbrich Park Boat Launch Restrooms

      Lighted: Yes
      Open Year-Round: No

    • Olbrich Park Lakeland Restrooms

      Location: near the lake
      Lighted: Yes
      Open Year-Round: No

    • Olbrich Park Skating Shelter

      Lighted: Yes
      Open Year-Round: Yes

    • Olbrich Park Softball Restrooms

      Location: near Walter St
      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

  • slackliningSlacklining is a balance sport which uses nylon webbing, typically 1"-2" wide, suspended horizontally between two anchor points. In March 2015, the Madison Parks Board of Park Commissioners approved a slacklining pilot program at ten (10) parks within in the City of Madison parks system for a twelve (12) month period. Please refer to the Statement of Policies and Guidelines for complete details..

    The pilot program will begin in June 2015. The intent of the program is to evaluate slacklining implementation with regard to compliance and suitability for City of Madison parks. Metrics to be observed during the program included but are not limited to: time and date of installation, location and length of line, compliance with guidelines, tree wear or damage and impact on other park uses. Trees NOT permitted are Oak, Elm and Shag Bark Hickory and may be verified by this tree identification website.



    Slacklining may be performed at the following parks during daylight hours: View all Slacklining

  • Madison Parks offers many hills perfect for winter sledding. The locations listed  below are few suggestions for ideal sledding with a good snow base. Sledding hills are not maintained by parks staff.

    PLEASE NOTE: For your safety, and to uphold the quality of our landscapes, please do not use the sledding hills without a significant snow base.

    Elver Park: Thanks to Madison Nordic Ski Club, Madison Winter Festival and Central Cross Country Ski Association we have a regularly groomed manmade snow loop at Elver - approximately 1km AND snow on the Elver hill! **IMPORTANT NOTE: Please remain off the hill when ANY snow-making or grooming equipment is present. **

    View all Sledding

    • Olbrich Park - Sledding

      Warming House: No
      Concessions: No

  • Many of the soccer fields are programmed with youth and adult league play.  If you would like to reserve a field or facility, please call the Athletic Scheduler at 266-4711.  Find out more about Athletic Field Reservations.
     

    FIELDS, OPEN OR CLOSED?

    The best and ONLY way to know if your field is open for play is to call the Rainout Line (608)267-8787. Weekdays the line will be updated by 2:00pm, weekends and holidays the line will be updated by 9:00am. The line will be updated if fields are questionable, if no update by times listed, fields are open for play.
     

    View all Soccer Fields

    • Olbrich Park - Soccer Central

      Bleachers: No
      Lighted: No
      Setup: Adult
      Type: Game

    • Olbrich Park - Soccer East

      Bleachers: No
      Lighted: No
      Setup: Adult
      Type: Game

    • Olbrich Park - Soccer West

      Bleachers: No
      Lighted: No
      Setup: Youth
      Type: Game

  • Many of the softball diamonds are programmed with youth and adult league play.  If you are looking to join a league contact Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR).  If you would like to reserve a field or facility, please call the Athletic Scheduler at 266-4711.  Find out more about Athletic Field Reservations.

    FIELDS, OPEN OR CLOSED?

    The best and ONLY way to know if your field is open for play is to call the Rainout Line (608)267-8787. Weekdays the line will be updated by 2:00pm, weekends and holidays the line will be updated by 9:00am. The line will be updated if fields are questionable, if no update by times listed, fields are open for play.

    View all Softball Fields

    • Olbrich Park Softball #1

      Bleachers: Yes
      Lighted: Yes
      Setup: Adult
      Type: Game

    • Olbrich Park Softball #2

      Bleachers: Yes
      Lighted: Yes
      Setup: Adult
      Type: Game

    • Olbrich Park Softball #3

      Bleachers: Yes
      Lighted: Yes
      Setup: Adult
      Type: Game

    • Olbrich Park Softball #4

      Bleachers: Yes
      Lighted: Yes
      Setup: Adult
      Type: Game

    • Olbrich Park Softball #5

      Bleachers: No
      Lighted: No
      Setup: Adult
      Type: Game

  • Madison Parks has 92 tennis courts.  Most of the tennis courts are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. When courts are reserved, at least one must be left available for pick-up play. Please note that all tennis leagues and all tennis instructors must pay for a reservation, no matter the location.

    Go to: Athletic Field Reservations.

    View all Tennis Courts

    • Olbrich Park - Tennis Court

      Surface: Asphalt
      Lighted: No
      Number of Courts: 2

  • Ultimate Frisbee Fields are typically large open spaces.  Large organized groups reserve these fields for their league play.  If you would like to reserve a field or facility, please call the Athletic Scheduler at 266-4711.  Find out more about Athletic Field Reservations.
     

    FIELDS, OPEN OR CLOSED?

    The best and ONLY way to know if your field is open for play is to call the Rainout Line (608)267-8787. Weekdays the line will be updated by 2:00pm, weekends and holidays the line will be updated by 9:00am. The line will be updated if fields are questionable, if no update by times listed, fields are open for play.

    View all Ultimate Frisbee Fields

    • Olbrich Park

  • 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

    • Olbrich Park - Volleyball

      Location: By beach
      Surface: Sand
      Lighted: No
      Number of Courts: 4

About This Park

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