Madison Parks ranks #1 in the nation for the 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 RESERVE ONLINE

View all Basketball Courts

• Demetral Park - Basketball Court

  Surface: Asphalt
  Lighted: No
  Number of Courts:
  

Dog Park News

• Warner Park - small dog area OPEN -  A large tree fell across the fence separating the small dog area. Due to the recent rains and ground conditions, removal of the trees by City arborists was delayed. The trees are now removed and fencing is temporarily repaired to allow the small dog park area to reopen. (updated June 26, 2024)

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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. 

2025 Fees

• 2024 permit is valid through December 31, 2024. 
• 2025 permit is available for purchase starting Nov. 1, 2024 and is valid from the time of purchase through December 31, 2025.

• REQUIRED A daily or annual Dog Permit is required.
  • The 2024 permit is valid through December 31, 2024.
  • The 2025 permit is available for purchase starting November 1 and is valid from the time of purchase through December 31, 2025. 
  • 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 also valid for use in Dane County Parks, City of Sun Prairie parks, and City of Middleton parks.
  • Purchase a daily or annual permit ONLINE or by calling (608)266-4711.
• REQUIRED 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

• Demetral Park - Dog Off-Leash Park

  Location: 2297 Commercial Ave.
  Bag Dispenser: Yes
  Benches: Yes
  Fountain: No
  Fencing: Yes
  Shelter: No
  
  OPEN
  
  Notes: .57 acres

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

• Demetral Park - Multipurpose Field

• Demetral Field Softball #4

• Demetral Park - Multipurpose Field

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.

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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. 

View all Playgrounds

• Demetral Park - Playground

View all Restrooms

Shelter and Pavilion News

• 2025 reservations opened Friday, November 1.
• Reservations may be made online, by phone or in person at Parks Lakeside Offices.
• See 2025 Special Event Reservations for unavailable dates and locations.
• 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.

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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. 

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Important Notes: 

• Any required permits, such as amplified sound, or alcohol are required at the time of processing.    
• All reservations are subject to our standard cancelation policy. 
• 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-free parks. 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.

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Open Schedule 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)

View all Large Shelters

• Demetral Park

  Address: 601 N. Sixth St
  Capacity: This is an open-air shelter.
  Restrooms: In shelter
  Water: Available in shelter
  Parking: Parking lot
  Alcohol-Free Park: Yes – alcohol permit is required.
  
  Shelter Details: Demetral Park

Many of the softball diamonds are programmed with youth and adult league play. See Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) for league information.

Softball Fields: RESERVE ONLINE 
Backstop: RESERVE ONLINE 


Fields, open or closed?
If a field reservation is canceled, a notification is emailed to the user who made the field reservation. Notifications are sent by 2:00 pm Monday through Friday and by 9:00 am on weekends and holidays. 

View all Softball Fields

• Demetral Field Softball #1

  Bleachers: Yes
  Lighted: Yes
  Setup: Adult
  Type: Game
  

• Demetral Field Softball #2

  Bleachers: Yes
  Lighted: Yes
  Setup: Adult
  Type: Game
  

• Demetral Field Softball #3

  Bleachers: Yes
  Lighted: Yes
  Setup: Adult
  Type: Game
  

Most of the volleyball courts are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  If you are planning a new league or tournament RESERVE ONLINE
 

View all Volleyball Courts

• Demetral Park - Volleyball Court

  Location: By shelter
  Surface: Sand
  Lighted: No
  Number of Courts: 2