Official source links rechecked 2026-08-10. Details can change, so verify the linked source before leaving.
Best Playgrounds and Splash Parks in Madison: 2026 Guide
Madison has more play options than any one list can sensibly rank. This guide compares eight parks within City of Madison limits using current official park records. Missing practical details are labeled unknown, not filled with guesses from reviews.
Madison Parks lists general park hours as 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Splash parks are seasonal and may close for maintenance, special events, weather, or public-health orders. Check the linked venue page before leaving.
Quick picks by verified feature
| Need | Place | Why it fits | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accessible playground plus splash park | Elver Park | Accessible playground, free seasonal splash park, nearby restrooms, and two shelters | City of Madison |
| Accessible play and sprayground | Rennebohm Park | Jeff Erlanger Accessible Play and Sprayground, shelter restrooms, and seasonal water play | City of Madison |
| Accessible playground near central Madison | Brittingham Park | Accessible playground beside a shelter, seasonal restrooms, and a parking lot | City of Madison |
| Multiple playgrounds and lake access | Vilas Park | Three playgrounds, Lake Wingra beach, seasonal restrooms, and accessible paths and beach features | City of Madison |
1. Elver Park
Location: 1250 McKenna Boulevard in southwest Madison.
Elver is Madison's largest community park. Its official record confirms an accessible playground, two reservable shelters, and a free splash park. Water features are button activated, and restrooms are available near both shelters.
Practical details: Shade: unknown; shelters are available · Restrooms: yes · Parking: parking lots are shown on the venue record, but capacity and restrictions are unknown · Splash-park fee: free
Before you go: General park hours are 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. The splash park is scheduled daily, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The site closes to other activities when used as a polling location.
Source: Elver Park, City of Madison
2. Reindahl Park
Location: 1818 Portage Road, off East Washington Avenue.
Reindahl has a playground, a free splash park, reservable athletic fields, and a shelter. The splash area includes accessible restrooms within the gated fence. The city also lists ample parking.
Practical details: Shade: unknown; shelter available · Restrooms: accessible restrooms at the splash park during its operating season · Parking: ample parking listed · Splash-park fee: free
Before you go: General park hours are 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. The splash park is scheduled daily, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. A separate park project page says a new accessible playground is planned for 2027, so do not assume the current playground has those future features.
Source: Reindahl Park, City of Madison
3. Rennebohm Park
Location: 115 N. Eau Claire Avenue on Madison's west side, behind Hilldale.
Rennebohm's Jeff Erlanger Accessible Play and Sprayground combines play equipment, a climbing net, and seasonal water play. The sprayground opened in 2025, and restrooms are available in the nearby park shelter.
Practical details: Shade: unknown; large shelter available · Restrooms: yes · Parking: unknown · Sprayground fee: the city includes this site among its four free splash parks
Before you go: General park hours are 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. The sprayground is scheduled daily, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Source: Rennebohm Park, City of Madison
4. Brittingham Park
Location: 829 W. Washington Avenue along Monona Bay.
Brittingham includes the Jenni and Kyle Foundation Accessible Playground near its reservable shelter, plus two other playgrounds elsewhere in the park. The main park address has a shelter, seasonal restrooms, a parking lot, and multipurpose fields.
Practical details: Shade: unknown; shelter available · Restrooms: shelter restrooms are open; boat-rental restrooms follow the operator's hours · Parking: lot available with a three-hour limit at all times · Park entry fee: unknown
Before you go: General park hours are 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. The park has several alternate addresses, so use 829 W. Washington Avenue for the accessible playground and shelter area.
Source: Brittingham Park, City of Madison
5. Warner Park
Location: 2930 N. Sherman Avenue on Madison's north side.
Warner has two playgrounds, including the Frautschi Family Accessible Playground near the main shelter. The accessible playground has a rubberized surface, a wheelchair-accessible swing, musical panels, and communication boards.
Practical details: Shade: unknown; several shelters exist · Restrooms: open at the main shelter and beach; boat-launch restrooms are closed until further notice, with portable units on site · Parking: lot available, but it often fills during Madison Mallards home games · Park entry fee: unknown
Before you go: General park hours are 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Parking on grass or yellow-painted curbs is prohibited. Beach water has no lifeguard, and the city directs visitors to check current water quality.
Source: Warner Park, City of Madison
6. Tenney Park
Location: 1414 E. Johnson Street, with playground and facility areas at alternate park addresses.
Tenney offers two playgrounds, paths, lake access, sports facilities, and a pavilion. It works well for families who want to combine play time with a walk, but the official record does not specify playground equipment or age ranges.
Practical details: Shade: unknown; pavilion and beach shelter available · Restrooms: open at the beach shelter and John Wall Family Pavilion · Parking: unknown · Park entry fee: unknown
Before you go: General park hours are 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. The pavilion closes to other activities when used as a polling place. The beach has no lifeguard, and current water quality should be checked before swimming.
Source: Tenney Park, City of Madison
7. Vilas Park
Location: 1602 Vilas Park Drive on Lake Wingra, next to Henry Vilas Zoo and the UW Arboretum.
Vilas has three playgrounds, a seasonal beach, paved paths and curb cuts, and accessible lake and beach features. The official page confirms an accessible pier and a seasonal accessible beach mat, but it does not describe the playground surfaces or equipment.
Practical details: Shade: unknown; shelter available · Restrooms: shelter restroom is open daily except during limited winter hours; beach restrooms are generally open about 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the maintained beach season · Parking: three-hour limit throughout the park · Park entry fee: unknown
Before you go: General park hours are 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. The beach has no lifeguard. Check current beach-water quality before swimming.
Source: Vilas Park, City of Madison
8. Goodman Park
Location: 1402 Wingra Creek Parkway, beside Goodman Pool and the Wingra Creek Bike Path.
Goodman Park has a playground and a small sun shelter, plus basketball, volleyball, softball, and an adjacent seasonal municipal pool. The city record does not describe playground equipment, age range, surface, or accessibility features.
Practical details: Shade: small sun shelter listed · Restrooms: no restroom at the shelter; other park-restroom availability is unknown · Parking: unknown · Park entry fee: unknown; Goodman Pool has separate operations
Before you go: General park hours are 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Goodman Pool is seasonal, typically June through August; verify its current schedule and admission separately.
Source: Goodman Park, City of Madison
How these places were selected
All eight venues are inside Madison city limits and have current City of Madison records confirming playgrounds. Splash-park schedules, costs, restroom access, and possible closures come from the city's current splash-parks directory. Practical details remain unknown where the official venue record is silent.
For another source-backed city comparison, see the Boise playground and splash-pad guide. For planning beyond parks, use this repeatable system for finding free things to do with kids this weekend.
Find more nearby play options
TotLotter can help families search for parks, playgrounds, splash pads, trails, and indoor play by location, ZIP code, or city. Photos, reviews, hours, and amenity details are available when a listing includes them. The app is free and does not require an account.