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.

• 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
  

It's Lake Time!

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.
 

*Service begins Friday, June 8
**Service begins Saturday, June 9

• Brittingham Park: Madison Boats
• Olbrich Park: Rutabaga Paddlesport  
• Marshall Park: Madison Boats

• Brittingham Park 
• James Madison Park
• Marshall Park
• Olin Park 

Water quality conditions are monitored in-season by Public Health Madison & Dane County Beach Conditions and may list a beach as CLOSED. Lifeguards will not be on-duty during this time, or during inclement weather.  It is also advised to avoid swimming after a heavy rainfall. MORE INFORMATION

• Tenney Beach

  Status:

  Open

  Address: 1330 Sherman Ave.
  Restroom: Yes
  Drinking Water: Yes
  Parking: Parking Lot
  Amenities: Picnic Tables, Playground, Volleyball
  
  Swim Ropes: Yes
  Lifeguard: Yes
  Lifeguard Schedule: Wednesday - Sunday, 12:00pm - 6:00pm, 06/08/2018 - 09/03/2018
  
  Beach Details

Launch your watercraft or ATV!

• 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. 

• Olin Park boat launch will be closed 8:00am Friday, June 15 through Sunday, June 24 due to Shake the Lake.
• Warner Park boat launch parking lot will have limited availability beginning late August and continuing through end of season. Boaters should consider using alternate locations if possible. 
• Visit Park Projects for more information. 

• Tenney Park - Boat Launch

  Lake Access Permit Required: Yes
  
  Notes: 1601 Sherman 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!

• Madison School & Community Recreation

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

Watercraft Storage Spaces 

• 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

2/21/18 CLOSED FOR THE SEASON: After the recent rain and warmer temps, staff have evaluated the ice conditions at rinks and lagoons across the city. Unfortunately, the ice has deteriorated significantly, and due to the predicted warmer temps and sunny skies, we will not be able to repair them. As of 2/21/18, all ice rinks and lagoons are closed for the season.

Madison Parks offers ice skating at 12 locations. 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 additional amenities, and open hours.

IMPORTANT NOTE on the status: For the safety of everyone, ice rinks are only open with a consistent ice depth of greater than 5 inches and when cleared of snow. Please remain off the ice unless listed as OPEN below. 

You may consider subscribing to our email updates through My Account.

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

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES:

• Plan an ice skating party

• Attend a Groove & Glide

• Winter Fun in Madison Parks

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.

• Tenney Park - Ice Skating

  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!

• Tenney Park - Open Field Games

Garner Park offers Madison's only dedicated pickleball courts, plus we have a number of tennis courts lined for pickleball throughout the city. Rules of the game, adopted by the USA Pickleball Association  may be found here. 

Pickleball courts may be reserved ONLINE.

2018 Garner Pickleball Court Update:
June 11 - 25 - court maintenance, all courts are closed
July 22 - August 31-  pathway reconstruction, all courts are open, please avoid the construction area 

 

• 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. 

• Tenney Park - Playground

• Tenney 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.

• 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 reserving 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
• Open mid-April through mid-November:
  • John Wall Family Pavilion in Tenney Park
  • Elver Park (enclosed shelter) 
  • Warner Park
  • Olin Park (through October)
• 2018 CLOSED Shelters: 
  • Vilas Park

• 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. 
• 2019 RESERVATIONS: Available beginning on Lottery Day - Tuesday, November 13, 2018.

ANNUAL LOTTERY DAY

WHAT IS LOTTERY DAY?  This is the first day you may make a shelter reservation for the following year. Held typically on the 2nd Tuesday in November, the day begins with in-person reservations (see below), and follows with phone-in and online reservations.
 
WHAT IS THE PROCESS?

• Beginning at 7:30am on and ending promptly at 7:59am, each party wishing to reserve a park shelter is given a numbered lottery ticket. The distribution takes place in the lobby of the City-County Building, outside the Parks Administrative Office (210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Rm. 104)
  • Due to the random drawing process, arriving prior to 7:30am is not recommended or necessary. The building is locked until 7:30am.
  • Only ONE lottery ticket is given to each party reserving a shelter. Failure to abide by this rule may forfeit your eligibility in the Lottery Day process.
• Beginning at 8:00am, random lottery tickets are drawn. This order establishes when reservations are processed.
  • If you arrive after the drawing begins, you will need to wait until the Lottery Day process is complete before you may place your reservation. 
• Cash, checks or credit cards (MasterCard or Visa) are accepted for your full payment, which is due at the time of processing your reservation, along with any required permits. 
• Dates NOT available due to long-standing annual Special Events listed HERE.
• Cancellation Policy: Reservations made during the Lottery Day process will receive only a 50% refund up until 10 days prior to the reservation. Within 10 days, no refunds are provided.

• 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

• POLICY & GUIDELINES
• TREE PROTECTION
• TREE IDENTIFICATION

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?

• Tenney Park - Soccer NW - CLOSED 2018

  Bleachers: No
  Lighted: No
  Setup: Adult
  Type: Game
  
  Notes: 2018 - closed for maintenance

• Tenney Park - Soccer SE - CLOSED 2018

  Bleachers: No
  Lighted: No
  Setup: Adult
  Type: Game
  
  Notes: 2018 - closed for maintenance

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.

• 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.

• Tenney Park - Volleyball Court

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