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Your gift supports kids at Warner Park and fuel the many other progams, parks and initiatives that make Madison stronger.

here's something that might surprise you: If you own an average Madison home valued at $410,000, only $275 of your annual property taxes goes to parks. That's less than one dollar per park, per household.

This wasn't just another ribbon-cutting ceremony. It was a milestone in our ongoing commitment to ensure that all 295+ parks in Madison's system are welcoming and accessible to everyone in our community.

Our Goodman Pool Access Scholarships program reaches far beyond simply opening the gate. Since 2006, we've provided scholarships for swimming lessons, helping kids develop crucial water safety skills while building confidence and making memories. But our commitment doesn't stop there.

Madison Parks Foundation has received a $10,000 grant from the Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation to support the K.N.O.W. Program (Kids Need Opportunities at Warner) at Warner Park Community Recreation Center. This generous investment will help us continue serving 200 to 300 underserved youth ages 11-21 each week, providing the comprehensive support and opportunities every young person deserves.

This is the story of how a determined group of citizens, led by two remarkable men, created the foundation of Madison's beloved park system in just 46 years—all through private donations, volunteer effort, and an unwavering belief that beautiful public spaces belonged to everyone.