The holiday season is a time for giving, but your gift can do more than just bring joy for a moment. It can create opportunities that last all year long. Imagine a child enjoying the pool all summer, a group of kids enjoying healthy snacks while participating in educational programs, or neighbors gathering to enjoy live music in a local park.

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. 

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. 

Inspired by the Frautschi’s gift, and by Jeff Erlanger’s legacy, the Oscar Rennebohm Foundation has also now stepped up with $100,000 to help build an accessible playground at Oscar Rennebohm Park on Madison’s West Side in 2022. That accessible playground will be named after Jeff Erlanger.

the Madison Parks Foundation has been awarded a $94,000 grant from 100 Men of Dane County to support the “Kids Need Opportunities at Warner (K.N.O.W.)” program at Warner Park Community Recreation Center.

Basketball Referee Apprenticeship Program, launched through Kids Need Opportunities at Warner (KNOW) at the Warner Park Community Recreation Center. Designed for teens and young adults ages 14-21, the program creates a clear, structured pathway from sports fan to certified official.