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Hudson Park
| Address: | 2919 Lakeland Ave. |
| Hours: | 4:00am - 10:00pm |
| Park Type: | Mini |
| Acres: | 4.75 |
| Restroom: | No |
| Drinking Water: | No |
| Shoreline On: | Lake Monona |
Park Details
Hudson Park, located at 2919 Lakeland Avenue, stretches along the shores of Lake Monona, and is complete with 4.75 acres of lake views, ancient mounds, and a bronze memorial dedicated to the Ho-Chunk nation. A Native American artist from the Ho-Chunk nation named Harry Whitehorse sculpted a memorial honoring his ancestors and placed in the park in 1991. The sculpture was created from the trunk of a hackberry tree struck by lightning, and contains carvings of a wolf, bear, cub, lynx, thunderbird, eagle, and a Ho Chunk warrior. The sculpture also overlooks the burial mounds. The statue was cast in bronze in 2009.
Burial Mound Policy
Created with assistance from the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Ho-Chunk Nation, and approved by the Board of Park Commissioners in October 2019, the policy provides guidelines and procedures for managing burial mounds located in Madison Parks. Burial mound locations are also included in the policy.
At this Park
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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.
If you are looking to store your kayak or canoe in a park, please visit the storage webpage.
James Madison Park pier update (as of 03/23/2021): The pier at James Madison Parks sustained significant damage during the flood of 2018 and was removed as a result. Due to FEMA regulations and approvals, the replacement of this pier is delayed. Unfortunately, we still do not have a timeline for its replacement. View all Canoe & Kayak Launch Sites -
Dog Free Park
Leashed and licensed dogs are allowed in most Madison parks, but NOT all. There are a few notable exceptions listed and mapped on this page. Dog Free Parks allow visitors to enjoy a space to recreate or relax without the presence of dogs.
NOTE: If you are bringing your leashed and licensed dog to a park that allows dogs -- Dogs must be on a leash that is no more than 6 feet long, non-retractable, and held by a person at all times. See MGO 8.19 for more information.
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.
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Dogs in Parks Status Designation
All Madison parks have either a dog-friendly or dog-free designation. To request a change in the current dog designation, or request for the current designation to remain as is, please complete and submit the below form. Request forms submitted on or before October 15 will be reviewed at the November Board of Park Commissioners meeting. Online Dogs in Parks Status Designation
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
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Hudson Park - Dog Free Park
Location: 2919 Lakeland Ave.
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Fishing
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.View all FishingEvery 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
An accessible pier is located in Vilas Park, on Lake Wingra. From WI DNR: Lake Wingra is a 336-acre lake with a maximum depth of 14 feet. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Walleye. -
Historical Feature
More information on historic buildings or district questions may be found in the Department of Planning & Community & Economic Development Planning Division.
Wisconsin has the highest concentration of burial mounds in the United States and the Madison area has one of the highest concentrations of burial mounds remaining. Most mounds were lost to 19th-century agricultural practices and city development. The mound builders were farmers who also engaged in hunting and gathering. They lived in small villages and migrated from one to another based on the seasonal availability of natural resources. The mounds often, but not always, have burials associated with them, but their exact purpose is not entirely understood. Mounds tend to have been built in places with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. The mounds are considered sacred by modern Native Americans and should be treated with respect.
A Burial Mounds Policy was created with assistance from the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Ho-Chunk Nation, and approved by the Board of Park Commissioners in October 2019, the policy provides guidelines and procedures for managing burial mounds located in Madison Parks. Burial mound locations are also included in the policy.-
Elmside Native American Burial Mound
Location: corner of Maple and Lakeland
Built: ca. 700 - 1200 A.D.
Description: Overlooking Lake Monona are two well-preserved animal burial mounds. Referred to for many years as a lynx and a bear, the actual animals or spirits that they were intended to represent is not entirely clear. These mounds were originally part of the same cluster as the Hudson Park mound.
These mounds were designated a City of Madison landmark on May 7, 1990, and are on the National Register of Historic Places.
More Information: Landmark Nomination
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Hudson Park/Mill Woods Native American Mound
Location: corner of Hudson and Lakeland
Built: ca. 700 - 1200 A.D.
Description: Overlooking Lake Monona is a long-tailed burial mound that has been referred to as a turtle, lizard, panther, and water spirit. Part of the tail was cut off when Lakeland Avenue was constructed. This mound was originally part of a dense and extensive cluster of mounds that extended from the Yahara River to what is now Olbrich Park. The site was still a favored Ho-Chunk campground as late as the late 19th century.
The Hudson Park Mound was designated a City of Madison landmark on May 7, 1990, and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
More Information: Landmark Nomination
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