Off-Leash Dog Park News

• Demetral - The kiosk posed a structural safety hazard and has been removed. (updated November 25, 2025).
• Warner - Open (as of Thursday, February 26, 2026)

Warner Off-Leash Dog Park Update

(Thursday, February 26, 2026)

• As of Thursday, February 26, 2026, Warner Off-Leash Dog Park is reopened.
• As previously reported, a necropsy of the dog who became ill and died at home after visiting Warner Off-Leash Dog Park the previous day was underway by the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (WVDL).  
• As a precaution, Warner Off-Leash Dog Park was closed, as we waited for final testing results. 
• Testing is now complete; results show no evidence of toxicity or significant, underlying contagious disease.

To help us continue to provide safe dog parks, please report issues or concerns to 608-235-0448 or parks@cityofmadison.com.

Previous update provided February 19, 2026:

• Late Friday evening, February 13, Parks staff were made aware of a social media post of a dog who became ill at home and died suddenly. The dog had visited Warner off-leash dog park the previous day and several times that week.
• Madison Parks takes great pride in being able to offer public dog parks that are safe and enjoyable for dogs and their owners and out of an abundance of caution, Parks staff closed the dog park on Saturday, February 14.
• Parks staff are in communication with the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (WVDL). We've confirmed a dog died at home and was submitted by a local veterinary clinic to the WVDL on February 12 for a diagnostic necropsy.
• Park rangers and staff from Public Health Madison & Dane County walked the park's entirety and found nothing of visible concern.
• As of Thursday, February 19, 2026, the cause of death is still unknown, but many diagnostic tests have been completed, and there is no known risk to human or animal health at this time.
• As a precaution, the Warner off-leash dog park remains closed until further notice. We are waiting for final laboratory results, expected late next week, before determining our next steps in reopening. We appreciate your patience and will provide an update as soon as available.

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While leashed dogs are allowed in most Madison parks (see dog-prohibited areas), we also offer 9 fenced, off-leash dog park areas. Three of the locations, Odana School, Warner and Sycamore, also provide a separate small-dog fenced area. 
 

Type of Dog Permit	2026 Fees
Daily	$8
Annual	$46
Annual Senior (65+), Disabled or Military/Veteran	$23
Replacement	$20

• REQUIRED A daily or annual dog permit is required and may be purchased ONLINE or by calling (608)266-4711
  • 2026 permits go on sale November 1 and are valid through December 31, 2026.  
    • A permit is required in order to bring your dog to any park, off-leash and on-leash, where a dog is allowed. See Dog Free Park for exceptions. 
    • The dog permit is part of the Cooperative Dog Park Program and is also valid for use in Dane County Parks, City of Sun Prairie parks, and City of Middleton parks.
  • A dog license is required for ALL visiting dogs. City of Madison residents may purchase through the City of Madison Treasury Office.
    • Dogs visiting from other areas are always welcome with proper licenses and/or vaccinations from your town/municipality. Be prepared to show proof if asked by a Park Ranger.
    • A dog license is ONLY available after a veterinarian administers a rabies vaccination within 30 days after the dog reaches 4 months. Dogs under 5 months of age or without proper vaccinations are therefore not licensed and are PROHIBITED.
• REQUIRED Dogs must remain on a leash to/from your vehicle to the inside of the dog park area.
• PROHIBITED AREAS
  • Dogs are not allowed in any conservation park, near playgrounds, designated beaches, athletic fields, in or near park shelters, and a few other notable locations. See Dog Free Parks for a complete list of locations.
  • During the winter dogs are not permitted on designated cross-country ski trails. See Cross-Country Skiing for locations.
• Bring Your Own Water Sharing water is not recommended and can lead to parasites and disease transmission. DO NOT LEAVE WATER OR WATER BOWLS. 

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WARNER PARK LAGOON Unlike the water at public beaches, the water in the lagoon at Warner Park is not tested by Public Health Madison & Dane County. Always check the conditions before letting your dog in the water. LEARN MORE 

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On July 13, 2016 the Board of Park Commissioners approved the Policy and Guidelines for Off-Leash Dog Park Service Area Standards within the Madison Park System with Attachment A. The Policy is intended to guide the Parks Division in planning new off-leash dog park (exercise) areas and to set standards for responding to requests for the creation of off-leash dog park (exercise) areas in the Madison Parks system. 

View all Dog Off-Leash Parks

• Quann Park - Dog Off-Leash Park

  Location: 1802 Quann-Olin Pkwy.
  Bag Dispenser: Yes
  Benches: Yes
  Fountain: Yes
  Fencing: Yes
  Shelter: No
  
  OPEN
  
  Notes: A 33-acre park including along the creek. Usage is shared with Alliant Energy Center.

Open or Multipurpose Fields are reservable athletic fields with no game-specific design or limitations. Often used for soccer, ultimate, lacrosse or football, yet open to your imagination. Multipurpose Fields are located throughout the city and may be used on a first-come, first-served basis if not already reserved. RESERVE ONLINE

SPECIALIZED FIELDS
Specialized fields include soccer, cricket, ball diamonds - baseball or softball and both fenced and non-fenced, may be viewed on the individual pages. See the sidebar on the Athletics webpage. 

View all Multipurpose Fields

• Quann Park - Soccer

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.

Bus Parking

The City of Madison offers free, bus parking in the rear lot of Duane F. Bowman Park, 1775 Fish Hatchery Road, 53713. See Bus Parking Map for more information. This is the only designated City of Madison parking lot. All other locations, such as Olin Park, Turville Point Conservation Park, and Vilas Park Drive are prohibited and subject to a citation. 

Law Park: metered parking stalls

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

2026 Reservations Open Monday, Nov. 3.

• Reservations can be made online or by phone starting at 8:00am on Monday, November 3.
• We will be fully staffed to answer phone reservations; however, for the best and fastest experience, we recommend making your reservation online.
• If you don't already have an account, we also recommend creating an account before Nov. 3. 
• IMPORTANT: Canceling a reservation made on opening day will result in a 50% refund and must be submitted at least 11 or more days before the event date. No refunds are given if the request is submitted 10 days or fewer before the event. 

Reserve Online

 

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Picnic shelters, also called sun shelters, are smaller, open-air structures that provide a little shade and typically some seating. They do not protect from severe weather, such as lightning. A picnic shelter may be reserved or used on a first-come, first-served basis if not previously reserved. 

RULES & TIPS

• 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, as long as there is no glass. A handful of parks are alcohol-free and require a permit to bring alcohol. You must have a reservation to obtain an alcohol permit.
• All picnic shelters are open year-round, however, if the picnic shelter has restrooms, these are open seasonally and closed for the winter typically October - April.
• In the event of severe weather, picnic shelters are not lightning protection areas. Please seek an alternative location. 
• Firearms or weapons are not permitted at any of the shelters. Violators may be considered trespassers and may be subject to forfeiture or arrest.
• Park 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 see Park Projects for park improvement that may impact a nearby shelter.

View all Picnic Shelters

• Quann Park Picnic Shelter

  Location: near tennis courts
  Restrooms: No
  Lighted: No
  Notes: electricity available by key when arranged with a reservation
  

Tennis Court Updates

• Brittingham Park - fencing work is nearly complete and courts are open again! (as of 11/5/25)
• Rennebohm Park - west court construction is substantially completed and courts are open for play! (updated October 20, 2025)

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Madison Parks offers nearly 100 tennis courts, many are dual-stripped for tennis and pickleball.  While the courts are available for individuals on a first-come, first-served basis.

Important: All leagues must reserve in advance. Reserve Online

Practice Wall Locations
Bordner, Brittingham, Elver, Olbrich, Tenney, Waunona and Westmorland

Vilas Park Tennis Courts (as of April 30, 2024)
Due to the deteriorating conditions and safety concerns, the Vilas Park tennis courts are closed. 

View all Tennis Courts

• Quann Park - Tennis

  Surface: Asphalt
  Lighted: No
  Number of Courts: 12
  
  Notes: Courts are used heavily by leagues.