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Tenney Park

Tenney Park
Address: 1414 E. Johnson St.
Hours: 4:00am - 10:00pm
Park Type: Community
Acres: 38.12
Restroom: Yes
Drinking Water: Yes
Shoreline On: Lake Mendota & Yahara River

Park Details

With its friendly atmosphere and impressive display of storybook scenery Tenney Park serves as a place to socialize, a peaceful recluse, and a place to just be.  It's an excellent place to watch boats launch, seagulls flock, let the children play at the park, or just catch up on some reading. Under the narrative trees share a picnic on the plush, green grass while enjoying the seemingly endless horizon of Lake Mendota. Tenney Park is also a fantastic place to toss out a line for fishing, swim at the beach, or play a game of one of your favorite sports such as soccer, softball, or volleyball. Take stroll down the winding paths by foot, by bicycle, or rollerblades. In the chilly winter months, after gliding across the frozen lagoon, rejuvenate with a snack in the warming shelter. With its beauty and versatility in every season, this historic park is sure to be a favorite throughout the year!

Alternate addresses: 402 N. Thornton Ave. (shelter); 1330 Sherman Ave. ; 1501 Sherman Ave. (boat launch parking)

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

Bird & Nature Outing: Explore this area with a FREE, guided nature walk offered monthly. Meets on the first Saturday 2:30-4pm at the beach parking lot: 1330 Sherman Ave.

The Tenney Locks are owned and operated by Dane County Parks.  It is open May - October. Please see the Dane County website for permit fee information and schedule.

The John Wall Family Pavilion has free city wifi. During elections, this site is a City of Madison polling location and closed to all other activities.  

 

At this Park

  • 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

  • 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 early September at select locations. See below for specific days and times for each location.

    BEACHES with multiple lifeguards  
    • BB Clarke, daily 11am to 7pm (through Monday, September 2)
    • Olbrich, Wed. - Sun., 11am to 5pm (through Sunday, August 25)
    • Tenney, Wed. - Sun. 11am to 5pm (through Sunday, August 25)
    • Vilas, daily 11am to 7pm (through Monday, September 2)

    BEACHES with a single lifeguard ( through Sunday, August 18)
    • Bernie's, Friday - Sunday 12 to 4pm
    • Esther, Friday - Sunday 12 to 4pm
    • Spring Harbor, Friday - Sunday 12 to 4pm
    • Warner, Friday - Sunday 12 to 4pm

    NOTE: 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.

    WATERCRAFT RENTALS & MORE (see also Canoe & Kayak Rentals)
    • Brittingham Park: Madison Boats
    • Olbrich Park: Rutabaga Paddlesport 
    • Marshall Park: Madison Boats

    BEACHES with no lifeguard service
    • Brittingham • James Madison • Marshall • Olin

    2019 Beach Conditions: Thank you for your patience as we continue to recover from last year's flood.  We are working to secure proper permits to replenish the sand at our beaches. We anticipate this work happening in early July.  Please continue to enjoy the beaches in the meantime.

    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

    • Tenney Beach

      Public Health Water Testing:
      Closed
      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, 11:00am - 5:00pm, 06/13/2019 - 08/25/2019

      Beach Details

  • 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

    • Tenney Park - Boat Launch

      Lake Access Permit Required: Yes

      Notes: 1601 Sherman 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

  • New Watercraft Spaces Available (07/30/19)

    We have new watercraft storage spaces available at Vilas, Warner, and Olin. Call (608) 266-4711 or EMAIL to reserve yours!

    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 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 waitlist will be contacted after April 1 and given the opportunity to reserve a space.  
    2019 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

    • 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!

    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

  • 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.

    PICKLEBALL LESSONS offered at Garner Park - June through September LEARN MORE

    View all Pickleball Courts

    • Tenney Park - Pickleball Court

      Surface: Asphalt
      Lighted: Yes
      Number of Courts: 2

      Notes: Tennis/Pickleball Court

  • CLOSURE NOTICE (as of 8:00am, 3/25/2020): In compliance of the Emergency SAFER AT HOME Order by Governor Tony Evers and the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services, with guidance from Public Health Madison & Dane County, all playgrounds are closed through 8:00am, Friday, April 24, 2020 or until a superseding order is issued.  

    View COVID-19 for all impacted City services. 
     

    View all Playgrounds

    • 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.

    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

  • ANNUAL LOTTERY DAY - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2020

    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 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 Special Events are posted 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.

    Reservations and checking the 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:

    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. 
    • 2021 RESERVATIONS: Available beginning on Lottery Day - Tuesday, November 10, 2020

    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 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

  • 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 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
     

    west
    Westhaven Trails Park

    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.
     

    Warner
    Warner Park

    View all Volleyball Courts

    • Tenney Park - Volleyball Court

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

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