Nestled on the western edge of Lake Mendota, Marshall Park is next to the city of Middleton. While the park appeals to a number of boaters because of its location and the high quality of its launching area, it also attracts a variety of recreational, park enthusiasts who come to fish, swim, picnic, play volleyball, or simply relax.
In partnership with Marshall Boats, park visitors can rent watercraft such as pontoon boats, fishing boats, kayaks and canoes. They also offer private event space, kids' camps and a small cafe.
Park Highlights
The sculpture Mildred, located in Marshall Park, was created by John Durbrow to celebrate the intellect, moral strength, and political conviction of Mildred Elizabeth Fish Harnack and was dedicated in 2019.
Mildred Fish Harnack was an American woman from Milwaukee, who attended UW Madison. She moved to Germany, completed a Ph.D. in Literature, and moved to Berlin with her husband Arvid Harnack. The Harnacks and their friends formed a resistance group and worked to help the Allies defeat the Nazis. They were arrested by the Gestapo, and sentenced to death.
Beach swimming season is typically Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. This is when Parks staff clean and maintain designated beaches and sites with restrooms are open from approximately 11am to 7pm daily. See RESTROOMS to view locations. Swimming ropes are provided at a number of the beaches and indicated on this page. No lifeguards are on duty.
Lake Water Quality Testing
Public Health Madison & Dane County performs lake water quality testing starting around Memorial Day and continuing through around Labor Day. Water quality test results are automatically posted on this page and signal whether the water in the swimming area is "OK" or "CLOSED." The beach area and park remain open. If OK, the water quality is approved for swimming, however, it does not mean a lifeguard is on duty. From PHMDC: Always check the website, which is updated first. On-site signs are secondary and may be outdated.
Accessiblity
Thanks to funding provided by the Madison Parks Foundation, accessible beach mats are available at Bernie's and Vilas beaches.
Rules
The following rules apply to designated beaches and beach areas.
No dogs are allowed on the sand or in the roped swim area.
Only US Coast Guard-approved lifejackets are allowed.
Alcohol is allowed at certain beaches; see Park Rules for further details.
Children under 5 years of age must be actively supervised (watching your child at all times and providing immediate assistance) by a caregiver 16 years of age or over.
Toys are allowed, but the use of toys may be restricted for the safety of patrons.
The City of Madison is not responsible for lost or stolen articles.
Boats are not allowed in the swimming area. The swim area is defined by the outer buoys.
Madison Parks maintains boat launches to access both Mendota and Monona lakes to launch a motorboat, sailboat, iceboat, canoe, kayak, or ATVs. A daily or annual permit is required year-round. Piers are available from spring through mid-fall. Installation and removal are dependent on the weather and lake conditions.
Lake Monona: Law, Olbrich, Olin
Lake Mendota: Marshall, Spring Harbor, Tenney, Warner
2025 Fees
Daily
$8
Annual - Dane County Resident
$50
Annual - Non-Resident
$60
Annual - Dane County Senior (65+) & Disabled
$25
Annual - Non-Res Senior (65+) & Disabled
$30
Military/Veteran
$25
Duplicate/Replacement
$20
2024 permit is valid through March 31, 2025.
2025 permit is available for purchase starting Nov. 1 and is valid from the time of purchase through March 31, 2026.
Lake Access Permit
A daily or annual permit is required year-round to launch a motorboat, sailboat, iceboat, canoe, kayak, or ATV.
Purchase permit ONLINEor by calling during regular office hours.
Iron rangers are NOT available for onsite cash purchasing.
The permit is valid for the issue year through March 31 of the following year.
Permits for the following year may be purchased starting November 1 of the previous year.
The permit should be displayed on the inside driver's side windshield.
The permit is valid at designated launch sites throughout Dane County. MAP
Olbrich Boat Launch, Boaters Advised to Use Caution
Boaters are advised to use caution navigating the narrowed channel where the Starkweather Creek meets Lake Monona due to low lake levels and creek sediment. Dane County Land and Water Resources install channel markers to assist boaters. Boaters may consider launching at alternate sites such as Olin, Tonyawatha or Winnequah. Lake Access permit holders may use any of the designated launch sites throughout Dane County.
Sailboat mooring spaces are available to rent from May 1 through October 20 annually. These spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Any additional names will be placed on a waiting list. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications for mooring spaces.
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.
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!
Telephone: (608) 228-8333 More Information: Madison Boats at Marshall Park Notes: Available: Pontoon Boats, single and tandem kayaks, stand up paddleboards, canoes, pizza and ice cream.
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 15 of the following year.
How to Reserve:
You may be placed on our waitlist at no charge by calling (608) 266-4711 or EMAIL. Please include your name, phone number, email address, and any order of preferences on storage location.
Current users can renew their watercraft storage yearly in late winter/early spring and no later than March 15.
As spaces become available, those on the waitlist will be contacted after April 1 and offered the opportunity to reserve a space.
2025 Fees
City of Madison Resident - Annual, single watercraft
$135
City of Madison Resident - Annual, 2 watercraft, same space (100# max)
$200
Non-resident - Annual, single watercraft
$260
Non-resident - Annual, 2 watercraft, same space (100# max)
$380
(fees include tax)Watercraft storage rules include:
Watercraft must not exceed 100 pounds, 18' length, 42" width or 24" height.
Storage is for permitted watercraft only. No personal property or other watercraft may be kept on racks for any length of time.
Watercraft must be secured to the boat storage rack. The 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.
Madison Parks offers seasonal and year-round fishing piers. Year-round locations include Brittingham Park (near shelter), Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park, South (School Road), Olbrich Park (Starkweather Creek), and Spring Harbor Park.
An accessible pier is located in Vilas Park, on Lake Wingra and at Warner Park, on the Warner Park lagoon.
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
MESSAGE FROM PUBLIC HEALTH MADISON & DANE COUNTY: Eating fish can be a delicious, low-cost, and nutritious meal. However, eating certain fish can also be harmful because they may contain mercury, PCBs, or PFAS. See PHMDC for more information.
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
Temporary Closure Notice: The playground at Nakoma Park will be temporarily closed for maintenance starting Monday, July 14. We anticipate the work to be completed and the playground reopened by Friday, July 18.
With more than 175 playgrounds throughout Madison, you are never too far from a playground. According to the Trust for Public Land, Madison ranks #1 in the nation for the number of playgrounds available. The traditional swings and slides are always an option, as are new play elements and fully accessible playgrounds.
PLAYGROUNDS FOR EVERYONE
Through the Madison Parks Foundation initiative, Madison Parks offers accessible playgrounds in Brittingham, Elver, Rennebohm and Warner parks. An accessible playground is anticipated in Reindahl Park in the near future.
NATURE PLAYGROUNDS
A nature playground uses natural materials such as logs, rocks, plants, and the surrounding land to create a play environment that encourages children to explore and connect with nature. Nature play elements can combined with traditional playground equipment like slides, swings and climbers. Check out Brittingham Park and Olbrich Park to get you started, other parks include Paunack, Garner, Tenney, Westmorland and Wingra.
PLAYGROUND REPLACEMENTS: HOW AND WHEN
Madison Parks is responsible for maintaining more than 175 playgrounds and began a system-wide replacement initiative in 2013. With current staff and funding resources, replacements are scheduled to continue through 2033. Playgrounds are routinely inspected to assess the equipment's conditions and repair any safety concerns. Based on the age of the equipment and current conditions, each is given an audit score. The number of playgrounds replaced each year is based on budget allocations, staffing resources, and using the current playground audit score for prioritization.
REPLACEMENT PROCESS: NEIGHBORHOOD INPUT
At the start of the replacement process, notices are sent to the District Alder, neighborhood association representatives, and surrounding residential addresses. Information is also posted to the project website. Generally, two public meetings are held to review surfacing and equipment options and make final selections.
If you have questions about a specific playground or see something broken, please let us know.
Rennebohm Park - due to mechanical issues with the locking system, the restrooms at Rennebohm Park are closed. We apologize for this disruption of service and are working with the contractor to repair this issue. In the meantime, we have placed a portable unit on-site.
Madison Parks offers seasonal and year-round restrooms throughout the park system. Indoor restrooms are open daily, approximately 10am to 8pm.
Open Year-Round
Brittingham Park (2) at beach house and boat house+
Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North*
Door Creek Park+
Elver Park enclosed shelter*
Owen Conservation Park*
Warner Park boat launch*
*Indoor
+ADA Accessible Portable
NOTE: Portable toilets not identified on this page are most likely arranged by a user group, such as an athletic organization and may not be accessible. All portable restrooms identified on the page are arranged by Madison Parks and are ADA accessible. View all Restrooms
Marshall Park
OPEN
Notes: In separate building near reservable pavilion.
Marshall Park at Madison Boats
OPEN
Notes: Restrooms are open when Madison Boats is open. Hours vary, see www.madisonboats.com
Olin Park Pavilion CLOSED 2026 - City Engineering will conduct essential repairs and maintenance to this historic building in 2026. We anticipate the pavilion closed for the year. A clearer timeline will be available by November 2025.
Madison Parks offers larger shelters and pavilions perfect for a casual event, staff retreat or celebration. Most are available to reserve from mid-April through mid-October, with a few exceptions as noted below. The Shelter Reservations Guide provides details on seating capacities, and amenities such as outlets, fireplaces, and picnic tables. Reservations may be made online, in person or by phone. Please follow these helpful steps when making a reservation.
Opening day to reserve a park shelter for the following year begins on the first business day in November.
2025 reservations opening day is Friday, November 1, 2024.
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.
Dogs are prohibited inside a shelter or other City building.
Picnic shelters may be reserved online or by calling -OR- if not reserved, are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Day of signage is posted at the shelter.
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 park amenities. If you are interested in reserving the entire park, please visit Special Events.
Alcohol is permitted in most Madison Parks. Glass is never allowed. There are a handful of alcohol-freeparks. In these locations, if you would like to bring alcohol, you will need an alcohol permit, which may be obtained when placing your reservation. An alcohol permit, without a reservation, is not given.
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 continue 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.
Beach
Boat Launch
.jpg)
Boat Mooring
Canoe & Kayak Launch Site
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.
Canoe & Kayak Rental
Canoe & Kayak Storage
Fishing
Madison Parks offers seasonal and year-round fishing piers. Year-round locations include Brittingham Park (near shelter), Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park, South (School Road), Olbrich Park (Starkweather Creek), and Spring Harbor Park.
Parking Lot
Playground
Restroom
Scenic Overlook
Many of the Madison Parks are located in ideal locations for sight seeing. Enjoy the view! View all Scenic Overlooks
Shelter - Reservable
Volleyball Court
