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.

• 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 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 September. See below for specific days and times for each location.

PRE-SEASON LIFEGUARD SERVICE offered at BB Clarke and Vilas (weather permitting):

LIFEGUARD SEASON BEGINS JUNE 13 - 14, 2019

Lifeguard service is provided at the following locations and days of the week beginning June 13-14. 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. 2019 Lifeguard Schedule 

BEACHES with multiple lifeguards (Thursday, June 13 - Monday, September 2) 
• BB Clarke 
• Olbrich 
• Tenney 
• Vilas

• 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: Yes
  Lifeguard Schedule: Wednesday - Sunday, 12:00pm - 6:00pm, 06/13/2019 - 09/02/2019
  Lifeguard also scheduled on: Labor Day, 9/2
  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. 

FREE LAKE ACCESS DAY -  all day, no permit needed on Saturday, June 22 LEARN MORE

WARNER  BOAT LAUNCH PARKING LOT is open and project is completed!

• 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.
• The City of Madison's designated launch locations include:
  • Law
  • Marshall
  • Olbrich
  • Olin
  • Spring Harbor
  • Tenney
  • Warner

• 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. 

2019 OLIN PARK BOAT LAUNCH CLOSURE NOTICE:  

• Ironman 70.3: Sunday, June 9 (Limited Access)
• Shake the Lake: Friday, June 21 - Sunday, June 30 (CLOSED)
• Reebok Fitbarge: Tuesday, July 23 and Wednesday, August 7 (Limited Access) 
• CrossFit Games: Thursday, August 1 - Sunday, August 4 (CLOSED)
• Great Taste of the Midwest: Saturday, August 10 (CLOSED)

• Olbrich Park - Boat Launch

  Lake Access Permit Required: Yes
  
  Notes: 3401 Atwood Ave.

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!

• 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 

• You may be placed on our waitlist at no charge by calling: (608) 266-4711 or EMAILING. 
• 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 wait list 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

Madison Parks offers ice skating at 12 locations, plus the addition of a volunteer-maintained rink at Sunset Park. Elver, Tenney, and Vilas parks offer a staffed warming shelter with ice skate rentals and concessions. During the winter season, the status of an ice rink or frozen lagoon can change from day-to-day -- before you step out, be sure to check below the status of your favorite rink. Select the individual location below for additional amenities and open hours. 

CLOSED ICE RINKS/LAGOONS

• IF AN ICE RINK IS LISTED AS CLOSED, DO NOT SKATE!
• Ice rinks are open once there is a consistent ice depth of 5 inches or greater. 
• In order to prevent extended closures due to damaged ice, rinks will also close if snow or meltwater are visible on the surface.
• After a snowfall, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REMOVE SNOW FROM RINKS. Parks staff will perform this task after priority service areas (roads, bus stops, bike trails, etc.). 

HOCKEY BOARDS: Olbrich, Tenney, Vilas, and 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 or to volunteer at an Adopt Ice rink, please email.

• 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!

• Olbrich Park - Open Field Games

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. 

• 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.

• 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
  

• POLICY & GUIDELINES
• TREE PROTECTION
• TREE IDENTIFICATION

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.

• 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?

• 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.

• 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 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
 

• 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?

• 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.
 

• Olbrich Park - Volleyball

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