Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Parks Menu
City of Madison Parks Find a Park Olbrich Park

Olbrich Park

Olbrich Park
Address: 3527 Atwood Ave.
Hours: 4:00am - 10:00pm
Park Type: Community
Acres: 90.01
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 shore of Lake Monona and adjacent to Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Olbrich Park is one of Madison's largest lakefront parks. 

The Olbrich Park Master Plan was approved in 2009.

Alternate addresses:
3301 - 3401 Atwood Ave.: west lakefront and south boat launch
3402 Atwood Ave.: softball fields and north boat launch (canoe/kayak)
201 Garrison St. : ice rinks
502 Walter St.: softball fields

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.

Park Highlights

The Biergarten at Olbrich Park and Rutabaga Paddlesports rentals are open seasonally. 

Click here for a history of the public process for the Biergarten. 


 

At this Park

  • Opening: (Updated 06/04/2020): Basketball courts are reopening with adjustments and precautions. With more than 200 hoops system-wide, the reopening process is expected to continue through next week. We appreciate your patience. 


    Help keep the courts open by following these guidelines and precautions:
    • Play with members of your immediate household only
    • Pickup games are not allowed with persons outside of your immediate household since it is not possible to maintain 6ft physical distancing
    • Stay home if you are ill.
    • Consider wearing a face-covering.
    • Use hand sanitizer and avoid touching common touchpoints. 
    • More information
    View COVID-19 for all impacted City services. More information: Public Health Madison & Dane County
     
    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

  • Open (updated 06/09/2020): Similar to general parks and outdoor spaces, beaches are open with physical distancing. A beach will be listed as open once swim ropes are in place, the beach area is cleaned by staff, AND water quality testing results, performed by Public Health Madison & Dane County are acceptable. The following adjustments and precautions are in place until further notice:  

    • 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. 
    NOTE: Due to limited staffing resources, visitors will see the following service adjustments:
    • No lifeguards are on duty.
    • Restrooms remain closed. We are evaluating the best way to safely open restrooms with limited staff.
    WATERCRAFT RENTALS & MORE (see also Canoe & Kayak Rentals)
    • Brittingham Park: Madison Boats
    • Olbrich Park: Rutabaga Paddlesport 
    • Marshall Park: Madison Boats
    • Wingra Park: Madison Boats


    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

    • Olbrich Beach

      Public Health Water Testing:
      Open
      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: 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. 

    View all Boat Launches

    • Olbrich Park - Boat Launch

      Lake Access Permit Required: Yes

      Notes: 3401 Atwood Ave.
  • 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

    • 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

  • 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 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.  
    2020 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

  • ICE RINKS and LAGOONS: Closed for the Season (03/01/2020) 
    Staff is no longer maintaining or monitoring ice conditions and all locations closed. 

    Learn more about our ADOPT ICE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM 

    View all Ice Skating

    • Olbrich Park - Ice Skating

      Location: 201 Garrison St.
      Maintained By: Adopt Ice Partnership and City of Madison Parks Division
      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

  • 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. 
    View COVID-19 for all impacted City services. More information: Public Health Madison & Dane County
     

    View all Playgrounds

    • Olbrich Park - Playground

    • Olbrich Park - Playground

    • Olbrich Park - Playground

  • NOW OPEN: Staff has reopened restrooms in high use locations 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. 

    • Brittingham shelter and beach (partner location)
    • Burrows 
    • Cherokee Marsh Conservation - North 
    • Demetral 
    • Elver (new shelter) 
    • James Madison 
    • Marshall boat launch and beach (partner location) 
    • Olbrich softball/canoe launch & beach (partner location)
    • Olin
    • Owen Conservation 
    • Penn 
    • Reindahl
    • Spring Harbor boat launch 
    • Tenney pavilion 
    • Vilas shelter 
    • Warner boat launch and shelter 
    • Wingra boathouse (partner location)
    New signage once open includes:
    RESTROOM GUIDELINES
    • 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.
    FOR MORE PARK CHANGES AND UPDATES DUE TO COVID-19, VISIT:
    cityofmadison.com/parks/coronavirus

    View COVID-19 for all impacted City services. More information: Public Health Madison & Dane County
    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: No

      Notes: Restrooms are open during the winter season when ice rink is listed as open.

    • 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
  • 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

  • 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.

    The Elver Park sledding hill is one of the most popular and is lit for nighttime sledding during the open season. Sleds are available to purchase or to rent from the Elver Park winter shelter (see website for schedule). 

    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.

    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

  • Open (Updated 06/15/2020): As part of Forward Dane Plan, tennis and pickleball courts are open with precautions and adjustments. 

    PLAY IT SAFE!

    Help keep tennis and pickleball courts safe and open during COVID-19 by practicing the following:
    • Maintain at least 6 feet between people outside of your household at all times.
    • Avoid common touchpoints, shared equipment or game balls.
    • Do not leave trash behind!
    • Consider wearing a face-covering.
    • Use hand sanitizer and avoid touching common touchpoints such as gate, nets, etc.
    • No organized group tennis: including lessons, team practices, or matches.
    For more information on Parks updates and changes due to COVID-19, visit cityofmadison.com/parks/coronavirus  
    Madison Parks has nearly 100 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

    Practice Wall Locations:
    Bordner, Brittingham, Elver, Olbrich, Tenney, Waunona and Westmorland
     

    View all Tennis Courts

    • Olbrich Park - Tennis Court

      Surface: Asphalt
      Lighted: No
      Number of Courts: 2

  • Ultimate Frisbee fields are typically large open spaces.  Organized groups may reserve these fields for their league play using our online reservation system 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. A notification will be sent to the email address used to reserve an athletic space when a space is closed due to weather. 

    Ultimate

    View all Ultimate Frisbee Fields

    • Olbrich Park - Ultimate Frisbee

  • 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

    • Olbrich Park - Volleyball

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

About This Park

Get to This Park