Warner Park - Southeast Recreation Area Development

Overall Plan

Phase 1 Construction Plan

Phase 1 Construction

• Removal of existing backstops, infields, lighting, tennis courts
• Field grading to improve drainage and accomodate new field orientations
• Installation of cricket pitches and goalposts
• A portion of the path network to connect Trailsway to the northern area of Warner Park

The Pickleball courts are also expected to be constructed along with Phase 1.

Phase 2 Construction*

• Installation of new lighting system
• New basketball court and removal of existing
• New sun shelters
• Remainder of path network and spectator bleachers
• Singletrack Trail
• Managed meadow and tree planting

*Phase 2 construction may be divided into multiple phases depending on funding availability.

• Create athletic fields that allow for a multitude of field types and uses to provide more flexibility to adapt to changing recreational trends over time.
• Provide pedestrian and bike connectivity throughout the project area to provide improved connections to the rest of Warner Park.
• Replace existing lighting system to modernize and re-locate poles to allow for full-size rectangular field alignments.
• Enhance "neighborhood park" amenities for residents to the south of Trailsway.
• Add dedicated pickleball courts to the project area
  • The only other dedicated pickleball courts in Madison Parks are located at Garner Park on the west side.

Madison Parks has applied for a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant. The grant is funded by the federal government and administered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. If selected, the grant would provide $500,000. The grant requires a 100% match ($500,000) with City funding. 

Parks anticipates this funding will cover Phase 1 of construction. Please see the "Project Plans and Phasing" section of this web page for more information.

If grant funding is not awarded, Madison Parks does intend to still move forward with the project. However, the construction timeframe will be delayed as funding sources are determined.

Parks staff have attended numerous events held at Warner Park to receive input for this project. Those events included Increase the Peace events in 2021 and Parks Alive in 2022. 

Parks plans to engage with stakeholder groups throughout May and June 2024. Comments and/or questions about the project can be sent to the Project Manager, Adam Kaniewski, at akaniewski@cityofmadison.com or (608)-261-4281.

• Parks worked with the Brentwood Neighborhood Resource Team and volunteer groups to create a pop-up park and all-wheel spot in 2020 and 2021.
• Parks installed a new pedestrian and bike bridge to cross Castle Creek from Trailsway in 2022.