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Garner Park Improvements
media release: Madison Parks will host a Public Informational Meeting on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 5:00pm. The meeting will be held virtually on Zoom and attendees must register to attend.
Staff will make a short presentation followed by an opportunity for attendees to ask questions or provide feedback.
If you are unable to attend the meeting, questions and comments may be submitted to project manager Corey Stelljes at [email protected] or (608) 266-6518.
The City of Madison Parks Division is proposing several improvements in Garner Park in 2027 and 2028.
There are multiple project components to repair the aging infrastructure in the south part of Garner Park and the work is anticipated to be phased throughout two years.
The parking lot and former ice rink complex were designed and built in 1973. Throughout the life of the parking lot, it has seen numerous repairs and improvements but currently is in poor condition and reconstruction is recommended.
We are proposing to fill the shallow, former ice rink basins to provide additional multipurpose athletic fields, which are in high demand throughout the park system. Reusing proposed dredge material generated by the Marshall Park boat launch dredging project allows for cost savings and a lower impact for both projects. Dredge material typically takes about 12 months to fully dry before capping and reuse can occur. Topsoil will be hauled into the site prior to the lot reconstruction so heavy truck traffic doesn't impact the new lot and sidewalk.
The existing pickleball courts were constructed as tennis courts then repurposed for pickleball in 2016. After years of service the surface has begun to crack and replacement is necessary. Moving the courts closer to the parking lot allows for better access and lighting.
Work at Garner Park will be designed and bid in conjunction with work at other parks sites. Design and permitting is scheduled to take place in 2026 with bidding and construction starting in 2027. It's likely the lot and pickleball courts will be completed in late 2027 and the new play fields open in 2028.
A public informational meeting will be held in fall 2026.
Parking Lot Reconstruction
- Rebuild the existing lot in the same location and bring it up to current code and standards
- Add parking islands and landscaping
- Add bio retention basins
- Maintain existing parking capacity
- Add accessible stalls
- Add sidewalk connection to lot, city sidewalk, bike path, and park amenities
- Add bike parking
Rebuild Path and asphalt around shelter
- 12' pavement width
- Keep gated vehicle access to shelter
- Maintain current configuration
Rebuild Pickleball Courts
- Move courts to new location near parking lot and playground
- Provide court lighting and windscreens
- Maintain 6 court complex
- Existing court locations to be restored to grass or other natural plantings
Regrade Ice Rink Basins
- Fill current basins and repurpose for play fields
- Use dredge sediment from Marshall Park boat launch
- Topsoil and seed new play area
- Topsoil trucked in and stockpiled in rink basins prior to parking lot reconstruction
- Play fields completed in 2028
Lighting Improvements
- Repurpose existing athletic field lighting to serve play fields
- Replace path lighting
- Keep parking lot lighting
- All lighting compliant with city code for field and court illumination with property line cutoffs
- New high efficiency LED fixtures installed where not present
- Separate zones for fields, courts, path, and parking lot controlled by central unit
