Prescribed Fire Sizzles 

The Parks Division continues to restore the role of fire in sustaining Madison’s natural areas.  Staff accomplished prescribed burns in 31 management units across 26 parks this spring.  This included parks all around the city, bringing this work to 12 of the 20 Alder districts this spring.  Other parks are planned for fall and future years, as staff continue to expand the use of this management tool to maintain habitat for native Midwestern species. An additional benefit is the reduction of fuels such as dead vegetation and woody debris, which lowers the risk of severe wildfires.

A total of 350 acres were burned by Parks core staff of 10 employees who are directly responsible for prescribed fire and ecological management. This team not only has professional training but has grown to work very well together and strives for continuous improvement, reviewing lessons learned and celebrating accomplishments after each burn. In addition, they share their knowledge and experience with other Parks staff, volunteers, and students. The team holds an annual in-house cross-training for co-workers interested in helping with burning, supports volunteers who lead prescribed burns on approved sites, and mentors UW students enrolled in a Prescribed Fire Ecology course that helps increase the number of land managers who can use fire safely and appropriately to maintain native plant communities. Staff appreciate the recognition they receive from residents and passersby, and they know they are healing the landscape by ensuring this important ecological process continues to occur.

Ice Skating Love 

Ice skating in Madison Parks has been an iconic winter activity for decades. Weather is the greatest determining factor on the success of good winter recreation and changing climate has seen winters get shorter over the last 50 years. However, this past winter was one of the longest ice-skating seasons on record over the last 10 years. Almost all designated rinks were open an average of 40 days, with Vilas general rink coming in at a whopping 50 days! What many may not know is the army of dedicated Parks staff and volunteers that it takes to make outdoor ice skating possible in Madison. The ice warriors in Park Operations work 7 days a week during the coldest temperatures to clear the ice of snow and shavings before flooding the rink with a thin layer of water to provide the best possible surface for skating. Staff from the Recreation Services team staff skate rentals and concessions and greet guests with a warm, friendly smile.  Meanwhile, our Public Information Officer makes sure we are communicating our offerings on a daily basis and our Volunteer Coordinator is making sure volunteers are in place and have what they need for a successful ice season. For many Parks staff, this is their favorite time of year, and the real reward is watching the thousands of people each winter who visit and enjoy the rinks.

Playground Replacement Progresses 

Did you know the Madison Parks system includes around 185 playgrounds? In 2014, Parks embarked on a program to replace every playground in the park system at a minimum of every 25 years. Parks is proud to report that since 2014, 104 playground replacement projects have been completed thanks to the contributions of many Parks staff, both past and present. Each playground is meticulously designed with many points of resident input, including neighborhood kids chiming in with their preferences. Parks looks forward to completing the replacement of every playground in the park system and starting the program anew in 2039, with the replacement of the 2014 playground installations.

New Volunteer Website Launched 

Madison Parks is proud to share that volunteers worked more than 29,000 hours in Madison’s parks and over 19,000 hours at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in 2024. To support these efforts, we’re excited to share the successful launch of the City of Madison’s new volunteer website—a project that’s already making a big impact. In less than two months, over 600 individuals have registered as Parks volunteers, and 140 volunteer opportunities have been posted, making it easier for community members to get involved.

The website is more than just a tool for signing up; it’s a game-changer. Not only does it allow volunteers to find and register for opportunities across Madison Parks, but it also enables us to track volunteer hours more effectively and recognize Parks’ most dedicated contributors. This new system is already transforming the way we engage with volunteers, and we’re thrilled to see how it’s helping to strengthen your parks and community.

What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the collaboration behind the launch. Along with the Madison Parks team, we’ve had invaluable support from IT, Risk Management, the Attorney’s Office, and HR, all of whom have been crucial in making this platform a reality.

While we are starting with parks, the website is set to expand to other departments, including Olbrich Gardens, the Madison Senior Center, Engineering, and Monona Terrace. We’re excited about the future and the continued growth of volunteerism across the City of Madison.

Parks Alive’s Third Year Grows by Two Parks 

In 2025, Parks Alive is expanding by adding two new parks, bringing the total to eleven. Sandburg Park and Galaxy Park will join the existing nine parks as venues for the exciting events this summer. Last summer, Parks Alive attracted 3,300 participants, and we are thrilled to reach even more community members with this expansion. Everyone can look forward to a festive atmosphere featuring music from local DJs, delicious bites from food carts, and refreshing treats—all offered free at Parks Alive!

Connecting with your neighbors has never been easier with this year’s activities. The themed events for 2025 include self-care & wellness, sports & games, and arts & crafts. We have organized these events to provide a more curated experience filled with the fun and festivity that Madison’s residents love. With these new themed activities and the Sina Davis Movies in the Parks on select dates, your local parks are set to become a popular neighborhood destination for community members in Madison’s NRT areas.

Park Rangers At Your Service

In 2024, Madison Park Rangers made over 12,700 visits to parks across the system.  Madison Park rangers provide front-line customer service, education, and policy enforcement. Rangers ensure parks are safe and welcoming and that visitors are using them appropriately.  In addition, rangers manage the dog parks and disc golf courses, including overseeing the redesign of the Elver Disc Golf Course and collaborating with the Madison Public Library to make disc golf kits available for 105 people to enjoy last year. You may even see rangers at Parks Alive events promoting the Junior Ranger program.

Golf Construction Team Prepares Yahara Hills for Next Chapter

The golf construction crew is playing a crucial role in the transformation of Yahara Hills Golf Course as we prepare for the unveiling of a newly renovated 18-hole course for the 2026 season. Their work includes reshaping fairways, constructing new tees, improving drainage systems, and supporting native landscape restoration throughout the course. Focused primarily on the front nine of the West Course during the 2025 season, the crew’s efforts are guided by a vision of creating a more sustainable, playable, and inclusive course. From expanding tee options to preserving natural features, the golf construction team is laying the groundwork for a revitalized golf experience that will serve the Madison community for years to come.

This important work has also been supported by staff from Parks Planning and Construction sections, as well as the Attorney’s Office, Real Estate, Public Works and Engineering Stormwater and Facilities Management to ensure that not only the course is set up for long-term success, but also that we continue to strengthen our relationship with Dane County Waste and Renewables as they continue to develop plans for a sustainability campus and landfill expansion.

Another Record-Breaking Year in Madison Parks Golf Program

The Madison Parks Golf Program closed out the 2024 season with a number of record-breaking milestones.  The courses achieved the earliest opening day ever on February 25, 2025, which is at least 6 weeks ahead of the average opening date, and courses stayed open until mid-November.  The Golf Program closed out the 2024 season with a record-breaking 160,502 rounds, an increase of more than 7,800 rounds over 2023.  The program ended the 2024 season as the 5th straight year of record-breaking revenue, coming in at over $5.4 million in revenue.

Madison’s golf courses are more than just places to play golf, they are community spaces that welcome everyone. Through intentional and inclusive programming, we’re continuing to create opportunities for people to connect with the courses in new ways that do not take away from the primary golf purposes of the courses. The Glen Golf Park has become a hub for community engagement, hosting a wide range of events including live music, yoga, movie nights, nature walks, and family-friendly gatherings. While The Glen leads the way, we’re also excited to offer programming at the other City golf courses, inviting the public to enjoy these beautiful outdoor spaces whether or not they play golf. From environmental education to community events, we’re committed to making Madison’s golf courses welcoming and enjoyable for all.

Advancing Land Management on the City’s Golf Courses 

A major milestone in Golf Madison Parks’ ecological management strategy took place recently at The Glen Golf Park, where staff conducted the first controlled burn in the native prairie areas. These prairies, installed in 2021 as part of the park’s redesign, benefit from periodic prescribed burns to remove dead plant material, control invasive species, and replenish soil nutrients. This process plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy and diverse prairie ecosystem that supports local wildlife and pollinators.

Volunteer support continues to play a vital role in the ecological stewardship of Madison’s golf courses. This season, we have seven monthly volunteer workdays scheduled at The Glen Golf Park, focused on maintaining and enhancing the prairies through invasive species removal, planting, and general upkeep. At Odana Hills, we successfully completed a volunteer-supported prescribed burn to help rejuvenate the prairie ecosystem—an important step in promoting native plant growth and habitat health. Additionally, we will be hosting several seed collection days throughout the year, offering more opportunities for community members to engage in the restoration and sustainability of your golf course landscapes.

Branching Across City Departments

On a calm Friday afternoon in late April, a large branch from an American elm tree broke away and fell to the ground in front of Olbrich Botanical Gardens along Atwood Avenue. The large branch broke from the trunk and fell across the gardens and sidewalk, narrowly missing Atwood Ave. Hearing the branch snap, Olbrich Botanical Gardens staff quickly responded to the scene. They immediately cleared the branches from the sidewalk and secured the area with caution tape. Since the branch was still connected to the trunk high up in the tree, Parks Arborists were called to assist. They responded within a few hours and were able to remove the branch fully from the tree with the assistance of a bucket truck. The teamwork between the staff of Olbrich Botanical Gardens and Parks forestry made sure this broken limb did not pose a safety hazard to passersby.

Creating a Safe & Welcoming Downtown

Mall Concourse staff spend much of their time ensuring State Street and the Capital Square area is clean and safe, but did you know they also maintain all the turf, trees and flowers? Every spring Mall staff plant pansies in the over 100 ornamental planters located throughout the service area. In June, Olbrich and Mall staff work together to replace the pansies with a summer planter collection designed by Olbrich staff. Numerous other ornamental beds are planted with spring bulbs, summer annuals and even a few tropical exotics to add a splash of color and vibrancy to the urban landscape.

Keeping Park Facilities Running

Facility Maintenance staff perform the necessary tasks for getting the Goodman Pool filled and ready for the season, which requires approximately 800 hours of staff time to complete.  Some of these tasks include installing or replacing pool signs, fixing any issues with plumbing in the restrooms, inspecting all pool filters, filling the pool with water, balancing pH and Chlorine levels, and inspecting pumps and pipes for leaks, among others. Along with the pool, the three splash pads at Reindahl Park, Elver Park, and Cypress Spray Park are also inspected and made operational beginning Memorial Day weekend and running through the summer until Labor Day.

The talents of the Facilities team are on full display at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Parks Woodworker, Brian Powell, designed and constructed a new footbridge in the Dry Garden. The bridge features cedar wood and is wide enough to accommodate guests in wheelchairs, strollers, and on foot in both directions. Not only is the bridge extremely stable and functional, it also complements the garden nicely.  He also replaced a bridge in the Bolz Conservatory that was in need of significant repair.

Atwood Avenue Median

The redesign of Atwood Avenue included the addition of medians. The median directly in front of Olbrich Botanical Gardens is now an extension of the gardens. During the road construction, infrastructure was installed so that irrigation to the medians could be installed later. Olbrich Botanical Gardens facility staff completed the irrigation installation last year and the horticulture staff came in next and planted the beds. Next time you’re walking, biking, or driving on Atwood Avenue, slow down and enjoy the gardens in the median.

WPCRC – KNOW Programming 

Warner Park Community Recreation Center’s overall attendance increased by 8% in 2024 to over 160,000 visits.  In addition to providing the community with reservable spaces and a workout facility and sponsoring monthly Family Fun Nights, Madison Parks has partnered with Madison Parks Foundation since 2019 to offer positive programming to youth through the KNOW Program. Each year the program gets more robust in terms of offerings and more impactful to the participants. Through a grant received from the 100 Men of Dane County through the Madison Parks Foundation, the staff worked with Fleet Services to acquire a passenger van that will address transportation concerns related to the program.  Additional program enhancements implemented by staff in 2024 included Powerful Teen Leaders, Drivers’ License Training and Learn to Cut Program.  The 2nd Annual Powerful Teen Leaders Program (PTL) in partnership with Sustain Dane, which resulted in 10 KNOW participants being hired as youth interns for Sustain Dane. The Driver’s Education Program offered in conjunction with the Community Development Division gave 5 participants an opportunity to attain a driver’s license. The KNOW Program partnered with JP’s Professional Hair Design and had eight participants complete a six-week “Learn to Cut” course led by JP’s Professional Hair Design staff.   WPCRC staff are working hard to make a positive impact on youth in the community.

Planning the Park System 

In addition to managing the capital projects and improvements that are happening across the park system, such as new singletrack biking facilities at Sycamore Park, new futsal court at Penn Park, tennis court replacements, Tenney Beach replacement, new construction of shelters at Door Creek and Country Grove Parks, along with the WPCRC expansion, the Parks Planning & Development Team leads many important planning efforts that help to create an ideal park system for all.  In 2024 the Madison LakeWay (formerly Lake Monona Waterfront) Master Plan was adopted, and staff are working hard with the consultant team on phase 1 implementation of the plan. In 2024 Parks Planning staff completed Park Development Plans for 7 parks in the Northeast Area of the City and 23 mini and neighborhood parks.  Planning efforts are underway in 2025 to create Park Development Plans for 20 Southeast and 30 Southwest Area Parks.

Activating Park and Public Spaces

Madison Parks is not your average parks & rec organization, as the majority of programming that happens in park spaces is conducted by community partners.  Madison Parks does sponsor several different programs, but more broadly activates spaces by administering rentals and permits for various park uses. Parks-sponsored programs coordinated by recreation services staff include the Sina Davis Movies in the Park program with over 4,200 visitors in 2024; Ride the Drive with over 12,000 visitors in 2024, as well as the Goodman Pool with over 42,100 admissions in 2024 to name a few.  Parks front desk staff provide frontline customer service, having coordinated over 24,900 athletic reservations, 2,000 shelter reservations, more than 4,960 disc golf permits, 6,700 lake access permits, and over 1,590 cross-country ski trail permits in 2024.  Any festivals or community events you see happening in parks and on streets around the city are also coordinated by Parks community event and street use staff, with more than 270 park events, 145 street use events and 95 block parties in 2024.  Staff take great pride in helping the Madison community make wonderful memories while connecting with nature and each other. The Parks Division’s Public Information Officer is working hard to update the Division’s website and continuously works to ensure the community can get the information they need about all matters pertaining to the park system.  To learn more about events happening in Madison Parks, follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

Serving the Community from Behind the Scenes

The Parks Finance & Administration is a small but mighty team that supports many critical functions of the Parks Division.  In addition to making sure everyone gets paid on time, since starting her position in August, the Parks Payroll Specialist has processed over 170 hourly employees.   The Parks Purchasing Specialist makes sure the Parks team has necessary resources, including issuing 35 contracts and over 230 purchase orders in 2024.  Parks very own GIS specialist has led efforts to map park assets across the system, supported the implementation of the TreeKeeper inventory system and played a lead role in completing the ADA Checklist for the Parks Division. The Parks Data Analyst has worked with all areas of the Parks Division to provide statistical analysis and visual aids for a number of projects, and also represents the Division on the City’s Data Team.