Olin Park

Address: | 1156 Olin-Turville Ct. |
Hours: | 4:00am - 10:00pm |
Park Type: | Community |
Acres: | 47.12 |
Restroom: | No |
Drinking Water: | Yes |
Shoreline On: | Lake Monona & Wingra Creek |
Park Details
Offering some of the best views of downtown Madison, Olin Park, located on the shores of Lake Monona is convenient, accessible and affordable. The reservable restored historic pavilion is perfect for events and seats up to approximately 150 guests.
There are an abundance of recreational outlets for the entire family such as a soccer field, baseball diamond, walking paths, and playground equipment. Swim or soak up some sun on the welcoming beach, take an enjoyable jog on the trail, or go biking through the park and up and around the Capitol. Adjacent to Olin Park is an expansive Turville Point Conservation Park, where you can relish in a majestic nature walk, go cross-country skiing, or hiking. It is easy to retreat to Olin Park with its central location and convenience to the Beltline, Capital City and Wingra bike trails, bus routes, and a boat launch.
Park Highlights
More information on Holiday Fantasy in Lights.At this Park
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Beach
BEST VIEWS IN TOWN!
Some of the best views in town may be found in a Madison park. Take in a year-round sunrise or sunset from the shores of Lake Monona and Mendota at any one of more than a dozen beaches.
BEACH SEASON
Beach swimming season is typically Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. This is when PHMDC tests the lake water quality and Parks staff clean and maintain 12 designated beaches. Swimming ropes are provided at a number of the beaches.RESTROOMS
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Beach restrooms are open daily approx. 11am to 7pm, May 27 - Sept. 8. This is an extended season, due to the weather and staffing availability to continue daily cleaning. See RESTROOMS to view locations.
LAKE WATER QUALITY
Public Health Madison & Dane County performs lake water quality testing typically from Memorial Day through Labor Day. In 2023, due to warmer temps are expected into early September. For this reason and in partnership with Madison Parks, PHMDC is extending water quality testing through at least Sept. 8 for designated City of Madison beaches.
Water quality test results are automatically posted on this page with "OK" or "CLOSED." If CLOSED, the beach area and park remain open but the water is closed for swimming. If OK, the water quality is approved for swimming, however, it does not mean a lifeguard is on duty.
RULES
Dogs are prohibited in all designated beach areas. Before your beach visit, please read the RULES.-
Olin Beach
Public Health Water Testing:Address: 1156 Olin-Turville Ct.Closed
Restroom: No
Drinking Water: Yes
Parking: Parking Lot
Amenities: Boat Ramp, Picnic Tables
Swim Ropes: No
Lifeguard: No
Olin Beach Details -
Boat Launch
Boat Launch News
Starting October 1, we will begin removing fishing piers. Boat landing piers will be removed starting at the end of October keeping one pier at each of the major landings until late November, depending on the weather. They are removed in no particular order and will be done as weather, equipment and staff resources are available. You will still be able to access the water, but piers and docks may not be available.
ACCESSING THE LAKES
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 from spring through fall. Installation and removal are dependent on the weather and lake conditions.
LAKE ACCESS PERMIT (Ordinance 8.215): See Purchase Permit- 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.
- Permits for the following year may be purchased starting November 1 of the previous year.
- The permit should be displayed on the inside driver's side windshield.
- The permit is valid at designated launch sites throughout Dane County. MAP
DESIGNATED CITY OF MADISON LAUNCH LOCATIONS BY LAKE- LAKE MONONA: Law, Olbrich, Olin
- LAKE MENDOTA: Marshall, Spring Harbor, Tenney, Warner
2024 Fees
Daily $8 Annual - Dane County Resident $50 Annual - Non-Resident $60 Annual - Dane County Senior (65+) & Disabled $25 Annual - Non-Res Senior (65+) & Disabled $30 Military/Veteran (New!) $25 Duplicate/Replacement $20 2024 permit is available Nov. 1 and is valid from the time of purchase through March 31, 2025.
2023 permit is valid through March 31, 2024.
TENNEY LOCKS NOTICE updated 04/06/2023The Tenney Locks, managed by Dane County Land & Water, is anticipated to open on Thursday, April 27, 2023. See DCLW for updates.
OLBRICH BOAT LAUNCH CAUTION ADVISORYBoaters are advised to use caution navigating the narrowed channel where the Starkweather Creek meets Lake Monona due to low lake levels and creek sediment. READ MORE
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.
PERMIT-FREE DAYS
In partnership with Dane County Parks, a Lake Access Permit is NOT required on the following days:- Saturday - Sunday, January 21-22, 2023
- Saturday - Sunday, June 3-4, 2023
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Olin Park - Boat Launch
Location: 1156 Olin-Turville Ct.
Lake Access Permit Required: Yes
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Canoe & Kayak Storage
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 calling (608) 266-4711 or EMAIL. Please include your name, phone number, email address, and any order of preferences on storage location.
- Current users will be able to renew their watercraft storage beginning in late winter/early spring each year and must renew by March 15.
- As spaces become available, those on the waitlist will be contacted after April 1 and given the opportunity to reserve a space.
City of Madison Resident - Annual, single watercraft $135 City of Madison Resident - Annual, 2 watercraft, same space (100# max) $200 Non-resident - Annual, single watercraft $260 Non-resident - Annual, 2 watercraft, same space (100# max) $380
Watercraft storage rules include:- Watercraft must not exceed 100 pounds, 18' length, 42" width or 24" height.
- Storage is for permitted watercraft only. No personal property or other watercraft may be kept on racks for any length of time.
- 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.
- View all Agreement Rules.
- Brittingham & Wingra Parks: Madison Boats
- Olbrich Park: Rutabaga Paddlesports
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Fishing
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
An accessible pier is located in Vilas Park, on Lake Wingra. From WI DNR: Lake Wingra is a 336-acre lake with a maximum depth of 14 feet. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Walleye.
MESSAGE FROM PUBLIC HEALTH: Eating certain fish can be harmful because they may contain mercury, PCBs, or PFAS. Follow advice for Wisconsin and Dane County waters to choose fish with fewer chemicals. Learn more about PFAS from Public Health Madison & Dane County. -
Historical Feature
More information on historic buildings or district questions may be found in the Department of Planning & Community & Economic Development Planning Division.
Wisconsin has the highest concentration of burial mounds in the United States and the Madison area has one of the highest concentrations of burial mounds remaining. Most mounds were lost to 19th-century agricultural practices and city development. The mound builders were farmers who also engaged in hunting and gathering. They lived in small villages and migrated from one to another based on the seasonal availability of natural resources. The mounds often, but not always, have burials associated with them, but their exact purpose is not entirely understood. Mounds tend to have been built in places with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. The mounds are considered sacred by modern Native Americans and should be treated with respect.
A Burial Mounds Policy was created with assistance from the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Ho-Chunk Nation, and approved by the Board of Park Commissioners in October 2019, the policy provides guidelines and procedures for managing burial mounds located in Madison Parks. Burial mound locations are also included in the policy.-
Monona Lake Assembly Normal Hall
Location: 1156 Olin-Turville Court
Built: 1884
Description: This pavilion was built as a 450-seat lecture hall for the Monona Lake Assembly. Established to provide instruction for Sunday school teachers, it soon became a popular summer camp for tourists from throughout the Midwest. As many as 15,000 came each year for religious instruction, entertainment, recreation, and lectures by such notables as William McKinley and "Fighting Bob" La Follette. The Normal Hall is one of the last buildings remaining from Madison's heyday as a resort community.
Designated a City of Madison Landmark on March 21, 1988.
More Information: Landmark Nomination
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Open Field
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-
Olin Park - Open Field Games
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Parking Lot
Parking lots in parks are available for park programs or events during regular park hours: 4:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Parking Rules
- Driving or parking motorized vehicles is not allowed on the grass or near a shelter and is subject to a citation.
- Three-hour limit in all parks, as posted.
- No parking after hours: 10pm to 4am. Overnight parking is not allowed.
- Conservation park hours are 4am until one hour after sunset
- Follow all onsite parking regulation signs.
- Violators are subject to a fine.
The parking lot located on the eastern side of Law Park, commonly known as the Blair Lot, is a metered parking lot, enforced by City of Madison Parking Division between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
View all Parking Lots -
Playground
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 accessible playgrounds in Brittingham, Elver, Rennebohm and Warner parks. In 2024, an accessible playground is anticipated in Reindahl Park.
PLAYGROUND REPLACEMENTS: HOW AND WHEN
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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.-
Olin Park - Playground
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Scenic Overlook
Many of the Madison Parks are located in ideal locations for sight seeing. Enjoy the view! View all Scenic Overlooks -
Shelter - Reservable
Madison Parks offers larger shelters and pavilions perfect for a casual event, staff retreat or celebration. Most are available to reserve from mid-April through mid-October, with a few exceptions as noted below. The Shelter Reservations Guide provides details on seating capacities, and amenities such as outlets, fireplaces, and picnic tables. Reservations may be made online, in person or by phone. Please follow these helpful steps when making a reservation.
STEPS TO RESERVE A SHELTER- Review RESERVATION POLICIES and SHELTER PRICES.
- Review Parks Projects. As we are continually improving our park system, some projects may impact a nearby shelter.
- RESERVE one of three ways. Full payment, by credit card only, is due at the time of processing.
- ONLINE
- Calling (608)266-4711
- In-person at the Parks administration office
Important Notes:
- Full payment, by credit card only is due at the time of processing your reservation
- Any required permits, such as amplified sound, or alcohol are required at the time of processing.
- All reservations are subject to our standard cancellation policy.
- 2024 reservations open Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
- IMPORTANT: For reservations made on opening day (2nd Tuesday in November), cancellations made 11 or more days before the event date will receive a 50% refund.
- Due to reserved special events, a number of locations are not available. See 2024 Special Event Reservations.
- Dogs are prohibited inside a shelter or other City building.
- Picnic shelters may be reserved online or by calling -OR- if not reserved, are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Day of signage is posted at the shelter.
- 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. Glass is never allowed. There are a handful of alcohol-free parks. In these locations, if you would like to bring alcohol, you will need an alcohol permit, which may be obtained when placing your reservation. An alcohol permit, without a reservation, is not given.
- 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 continue 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.
- Reservations for the following year begin in November of the proceeding year.
Open Schedule Exceptions
- Open year-round:
- Open mid-April through mid-November:
- John Wall Family Pavilion in Tenney Park
- Elver Park (enclosed shelter)
- Warner Park
- Olin Park (through October)
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Olin Park Pavilion
Address: 1156 Olin-Turville Court
Capacity: Seats 150 people
Restrooms: In separate building
Water: Not available in shelter
Parking: Parking lot
Shelter Details: Olin Park Pavilion
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Soccer Field
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 (608)266-4711. Find out more about Athletic Field Reservations.
View all Soccer Fields
Fields, open or closed?
If a field reservation is canceled, a notification is emailed to the user who made the field reservation. Notifications are sent by 2:00 pm Monday through Friday and by 9:00 am on weekends and holidays.-
Olin Park - Soccer
Bleachers: No
Lighted: No
Setup: Adult
Type: Game
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