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

• Tenney Park - Basketball Court

  Surface: Asphalt
  Lighted: No
  Number of Courts: 1 full
  

• Tenney Park - Basketball Court

  Surface: Asphalt
  Lighted: No
  Number of Courts: 1 half
  

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
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

• Tenney Beach

  Status:

  Open

  Address: 1300 Sherman Ave.
  Restroom: Yes
  Drinking Water: Yes
  Parking: Parking Lot
  Amenities: Picnic Tables, Playground, Volleyball
  
  Swim Ropes: Yes
  Lifeguard: Yes
  
  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 June 17-26, 2017 and Law Park boat launch closed June 23-25 for Shake the Lake.

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

View all Boat Launches

• Tenney 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

• Madison School & Community Recreation

  Telephone: (608) 204-4581
  More Information: Madison School & Community Recreation
  Notes: Available: pontoons

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:

• Brittingham Park: Brittingham Boats 608-250-2555
• Olbrich Park: Rutabaga Paddlesports 608-513-1308
• Wingra Park: Wingra Boats 608-233-5332

  View all Canoe & Kayak Storage

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:

• Plan an ice skating party
• Attend a Groove & Glide

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

• Tenney Park - Ice Rinks

  Location: 402 N. Thornton Ave.
  Available: Skate Rental and Concessions
  Maintained By: City of Madison Parks Division
  
  Closed
  
  More Information: Skating at Tenney 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

• Tenney 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

A number of tennis courts are lined for playing pickleball.  Six dedicated pickleball courts opened in 2016 at Garner Park!

View all Pickleball Courts

• Tenney Park - Pickleball Court

  Surface: Asphalt
  Lighted: Yes
  Number of Courts: 2
  
  Notes: Tennis/Pickleball Court

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

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

• John Wall Family Pavilion in Tenney Park

  Location: 402 N. Thornton Ave.-shelter/1414 E. Johnson St.-park
  Lighted: Yes
  Open Year-Round: Yes
  

• Tenney Beach Bathhouse

  Lighted: Yes
  Open Year-Round: No
  

Reservations and checking 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 reservering 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:

• Open Year-Round:
  • Gates of Heaven
  • Highland Manor Park shelter
• Open Spring 2017 through November 2017:
  • John Wall Family Pavilion in Tenney Park
  • Elver Park shelter (enclosed) 
  • Warner Park shelter
• 2017 CLOSED Shelters: 
  • Vilas Park shelter anticipated September 2017 - May 2018
  • Penn Park shelter will be closed all of 2017

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. 
• 2018 RESERVATIONS: Available beginning on Lottery Day - Tuesday, November 14, 2017.

LOTTERY DAY - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2017:

• The first day shelter reservations are accepted for the following year.
• A numbered lottery system is used to ensure fairness for all patrons wishing to reserve our Madison park shelters.
• Arriving prior to 7:30am is not necessary or a benefit.
• Numbered tickets are distributed in the lobby outside the doors of the Parks Administrative Office (210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Rm. 104) beginning at 7:30am.
• Only ONE ticket is given to each party. Failure to abide by this rule may forfeit your eligibility in the Lottery Day process.

View all Large Shelters

• John Wall Family Pavilion in Tenney Park

  Address: 402 N. Thornton Ave.-shelter/1414 E. Johnson St.-park
  Capacity: Seats 120 people inside/60 outside patio
  Restrooms: In shelter
  Water: Available in shelter
  Parking: Parking lot
  Alcohol-Free Park: Yes – alcohol permit is required.
  
  Shelter Details

Slacklining 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

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

• Tenney Park - Soccer NW

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

• Tenney Park - Soccer SE

  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

• Tenney Park - Tennis Court

  Surface: Asphalt
  Lighted: Yes
  Number of Courts: 2
  
  Notes: Tennis/Pickleball Court

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

• Tenney Park - Volleyball Court

  Location: By beach
  Surface: Sand
  Lighted: No
  Number of Courts: 1