February 8, 2024 9:57 AM

Madison Parks is updating its Park and Open Space Plan (POSP) and seeking input from area residents. The purpose of the POSP is to guide and inform public park policies and park facility decisions in the city of Madison. Parks staff is working with a consultant planning team led by MSA … [read more]

August 31, 2023 1:31 PM

As we close out the summer, as the new Parks Alive Coordinator, I am pleased to report the successful conclusion to Parks Alive 2023. Building stronger neighborhoods across Madison through Parks Alive was a continued interdepartmental effort in collaboration with local nonprofits, organizations … [read more]

April 20, 2023 11:54 AM

Local disc golf courses reopened this spring and a new opportunity began for locals interested in checking out the sport! Thanks to the coordination of the Madison park rangers, anyone with a valid Madison Public Library card can now check out a disc golf kit, available at all nine branches of … [read more]

December 1, 2022 7:48 AM

Door Creek Park sits in a small valley on Madison's far eastside. Trails run through the valley bottom, over hills and through the woods. In early 2022, several Madison Nordic Ski Club members walked areas of Door Creek Park with Conservation Resource Supervisor, Paul Quinlan. This onsite-walking … [read more]

March 23, 2022 11:20 AM

As you have likely heard, there are significant staffing/labor shortages occurring across the nation. Madison Parks is certainly no exception. We still have about 100 positions we would like to fill for this year. We have been working creatively to broaden our opportunities to attract talent by … [read more]

December 29, 2021 12:19 PM

Glenway Guests and the Community, We need your help. As we move into winter and enjoy the fun of snow-related activities, we look for your assistance in helping share our important message with the public. The progress at the improved Glenway Golf Park is on schedule and shaping up for a great … [read more]

October 3, 2020 9:14 PM

Take a self-guided walk in nature any day this fall. As we continue to follow safety guidelines from Public Health Madison & Dane County, and are unable to promote guided Bird & Nature Outings, our volunteer nature experts have created these suggested walks. Follow and tag us on … [read more]

July 1, 2020 3:56 PM

Celebrate National Park & Recreation Month by exploring Madison Parks with a self-guided nature walk on any day in July. Tenney Park, 1330 Sherman Avenue Butterflies and Their Host Plants Take a beautiful nature walk at Tenney Park to enjoy looking at the native Wisconsin flowers, … [read more]

May 8, 2020 10:15 AM

Beginning Birding with Nancy Frozen What's so fun about birding? Nancy Frozen, Master Naturalist and Bird & Nature Outing guide shared her thoughts. Nancy says, "Birding is fun and challenging to look for those flighty, skittish birds and remember shape, size, color, beak, songs, and … [read more]

April 2, 2020 11:20 AM

In a perfect world, Madison Parks volunteer nature experts would provide guided walks each weekend as part of the on-going, year-round Bird & Nature Outing series. Today, we must learn to adapt to these unique times, in order to stay safe and still enjoy nature. We encourage you to … [read more]

March 24, 2020 4:48 PM

While staying at home during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is the safest, Public Health Madison & Dane County believes that our parks, trails, and open spaces are essential resources for health and wellness. Even with Wisconsin's Safer at Home order as of March 25, 2020, we recognize … [read more]

January 3, 2020 1:27 PM

2019 is in the books, and with it a lot of fond memories made in Madison Parks. Millions of visits across the system with people enjoying themselves, nature, and each other. I thought I would borrow from a fellow native Hoosier and make a top ten list. There are certainly more than 10 laudable … [read more]

May 24, 2018 11:44 AM

This Spring boaters may notice the boat launch at Olin Park has an improved look and feel. During this past winter Parks staff worked to repair and replace the launch getting it ready for the busy summer season. The launch has served Lake Monona boaters since its original construction in … [read more]

June 9, 2017 3:12 PM

How should Madison Parks grow? What should we improve? How do we prepare for future generations of parks enthusiast? These are the questions we have been asking as part of the engagement process for the 2018-2022 Park and Open Space Plan which will guide the future of our park system. As part … [read more]

August 19, 2016 9:39 AM

The City of Madison Parks Division and Public Health of Madison and Dane County had the privilege of working with several Wanda Fullmore interns this summer. Six of the PHMDC interns focused their work on learning about how kids in Madison connect with nature by surveying youth around the City. … [read more]

December 21, 2015 3:01 PM

Winter officially arrives tonight, but if you go outside it seems a lot like spring. Though we don't have any snow for skiing or any ice that is safe for skating (seriously, don't try please), there are still plenty of reasons to get out and about in Madison Parks over the holidays. For starters … [read more]