Sunrise or sunset? Take in some of the best views in town at one of the many beaches!

Water quality testing is performed Memorial Day through Labor Day by Public Health Madison & Dane County. If the water quality is not suitable for swimming, a scheduled lifeguard will not be on duty. Restrooms at beach locations are open only when a lifeguard is on duty. See schedule below.

See RESTROOMS to view all open locations. 

• Esther Beach

  Public Health Water Testing:

  Closed

  Address: 2802 Waunona Way
  Restroom: Yes
  Drinking Water: Yes
  Parking: Parking Lot
  Amenities: Picnic Tables, Playground
  
  Swim Ropes: Yes
  Lifeguard: No
  
  Beach Details

Watercraft Storage Spaces 

• 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 watercraft storage beginning in late winter/early spring each year and must renew by April 1.
• As spaces become available, those on the waitlist will be contacted after April 1 and given the opportunity to reserve a space.  

• 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. 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.
• See agreement for complete rules.

• Brittingham Park: Brittingham Boats 608-250-2555
• Olbrich Park: Rutabaga Paddlesports 608-513-1308
• Wingra Park: Wingra Boats 608-233-5332

Dog Free Parks provide a place to recreate or relax without the presence of dogs. In early 2020 Madison Common Council approved the revised ordinance (MGO 8.19) allowing dogs, on-leash in most Madison Parks. The following locations prohibit dogs and are approved by the Board of Park Commissioners (initial file 59475) and as such, locations can and may change as we continue to implement the policy.

In addition, a number of locations continue to prohibit dogs. 

• Conservation parks 
• Burial mounds 
• City of Madison Golf Courses (during the golf season) 
• Olbrich Botanical Gardens 
• Playgrounds and areas within 20 feet of a playground surface 
• Splash parks, fenced areas(s) surrounding a splash park, and areas within 20 feet of the splash park surface 
• Goodman Pool and Breese Stevens Field (except for special events where dogs are specifically invited) 
• Programmed sports fields and facilities that are enclosed or substantially enclosed by a fence, whether in use or not 
• Programmed, non-fenced sports fields such as soccer, ultimate fields or softball/baseball diamonds while they are in use for programmed activities 
• Inside of shelters or other buildings 
• Groomed cross-country ski trails 
• In the water or on the beach at designated beach locations 
• Park special events except where the sponsor has requested to allow dogs, with the Park Superintendent's approval

• Esther Beach Park

  Location: 2802 Waunona Way
  

Smaller picnic shelters may be reserved for exclusive or on a first-come, first-served basis, if not previously reserved.  

RESERVE: ONLINE (search "small picnic shelter") or by calling (608) 266-4711
 
2021 FEE 

• $35/day, including tax

• Amplified Sound Permit: $60/reservation (6 hours maximum). Please ask when reserving
• Temporary Structure Permits:  $110/day, including tax
• Alcohol Permit (select parks only):  $55/reservation. It is required in select parks. Please ask when reserving.

• 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. A handful of parks are alcohol-free and require a permit to bring alcohol. You must have a reservation and an alcohol permit, which can be obtained when placing a reservation.
• All picnic shelters are open year-round, however, if the picnic shelter has restrooms, these are open seasonally (closed winter/cold months).
• In the event of severe weather, picnic shelters are not lightening 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.
• **IMPORTANT**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 see Park Projects for park improvement that may impact a nearby shelter.

CHANGES & CANCELLATIONS OF PICNIC SHELTER RESERVATIONS:

• Cancellation requests must be submitted to the Parks Administration Office in writing to:
  210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, #104, Madison, WI  53703 or by email. 
• There is no charge to change the date and/or location, if the request is received 28 days or more prior to event date.
• Full refunds are given, at no charge for cancellation requests received at least 28 days prior to the event date.
• Cancellations and changes received 27 to 11 days prior to the event date (counting notice date and event date) will incur a $10 administrative fee. 
• No cancellations or changes will be accepted 10 days or fewer before the event date (counting notice date and event date).

• Esther Park

  Restrooms: Yes
  Lighted: Yes
  

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 all-inclusive playgrounds in Brittingham Park and Elver Park, opening in 2019.  The Foundation has a goal of 5 fully accessible playgrounds. 

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. 

• Esther Beach Park - Playground

Public restrooms are located throughout the park system and in many locations with a reservable shelter. Year-round restrooms are open at Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North, Warner Boat Launch, and Owen Conservation Park.

Seasonal restrooms are generally open mid-April through mid-October, from approximately 10am to 8pm daily. 

• Esther Park

  OPEN