Madison Parks

In 2024, around this time of the year, we hosted a staff planting party at our Lakeside Offices - photos 3, 4, 5 & 6). 10,000+ native plants were gently installed in the dirt and gravel beds along the front side of the building.

Check out the after photos from today - photos 1 & 2

This is another step in the landscaping restoration project. Madison Parks system-wide features a variety of landscapes ranging from prairies, woods, and manicured gardens.

cityofmadison.com/parkslandmanagement

Odana Hills Golf Course Updates!

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Odana Hills Golf Course and Park Master Plan Public Information Meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Odana Hills Golf Course and Park Master Plan Public Information Meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

Thank you JP Cullen!

🍂 Fall is in the Air… and So Are Some Unexpected Surprises 🎃

As the leaves start to fall and spooky season rolls in, we sometimes see mysterious mounds of weeds & leaves, piles of cut tree branches and even the occasional mattress may suddenly appear in our parks.

While they might not seem scary at first glance, these piles can actually cause serious problems. Yard waste left in parks can spread invasive plants and weeds, smother native vegetation, and take a long time to break down. What seems like a harmless pile can end up damaging the natural balance of the park.

Dumping yard waste and handling it the wrong way is one of the easiest ways for invasive species to spread. Seeds, roots, and fragments of invasive plants like English ivy, Japanese knotweed, or garlic mustard can hitch a ride in leaf piles or branch clippings.

Once dumped, they can quickly take root and spread - choking out native plants, reducing habitat for wildlife, and changing the soil chemistry. Even well-meaning clean-up efforts can make things worse if invasive material is unknowingly moved from one place to another.

Plus, it takes time and resources for park staff to remove these piles - time that could be better spent improving and caring for our shared green spaces.

Let’s keep our parks clean and healthy for everyone.

So – what should you do with your leaves, weeds, brush, or old mattress?

You can use the Streets Division drop-off sites for your yard waste, brush, and large bulky items. All of these things, including the mattresses, are free to drop-off for every City of Madison resident. 🌿

•East: 4602 Sycamore Ave
•West: 402 South Point Rd
•Central: 1504 Quann-Olin Parkway

Or you can use curbside pickup chances for your yard waste or brush.

Check out Streets website for set-out dates and more:
https://www.cityofmadison.com/streets/brush-yard-waste

And if you need a mattress, or another large item picked up from your home, you can schedule that pickup at www.cityofmadison.com/LargeItem.

Saturday Night Movie in the Park! We've partnered with Downtown Madison for a free movie showing of The Fifth Element starting at 7pm on Saturday, Sept. 26 at Peace Park!

cityofmadison.com/parks/events/movies

Today's the Day! We're cutting the ribbon at the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park on Friday, Sept. 25 starting at 3pm! Tour the library, Parks pavilion, outdoor patios and more!

Don't miss the outdoor movie showing Dog Man starting at 5pm!

cityofmadison.com/parks/events or directly: cityofmadison.com/parks/events/2026-09-25/imagination-center-at-reindahl-park-ribbon-cutting

Join us for a free, downtown outdoor movie this Saturday, Sept. 26!

Work for Parks! We're hiring two Parks Workers. These are permanent, full-time positions with a starting annual salary of $52K+.

This is routine entry-level work in maintenance and construction activities within the Parks Division. Work includes laboring tasks, equipment operation, the use of hand and power tools for grounds and building maintenance work, the routine maintenance of tools and equipment, and related cleaning and maintenance of Parks facilities and grounds.

Skills Needed in this Position:
•Knowledge of grounds, landscape, tree, and park maintenance practices.
•Ability to identify and address safety, maintenance, and facility-related issues and follow established procedures.
•Ability to perform physically demanding outdoor work in varying weather conditions and safely handle materials, equipment, and tools.

Does this sound interesting to you or want to share with someone you know? Visit: cityofmadison.com/jobs - search Parks and apply online through October 1.

Direct Link:
governmentjobs.com/careers/madisonwi/jobs/5470426-0/parks-worker

Backboards and rims are in at Country Grove Park!

cityofmadison.com/parks/find-a-park/country-grove