Accessible Parks & Playgrounds
From fully inclusive playgrounds and beach mats at city beaches to accessibility upgrades at The Glen Golf Park and Goodman Pool, MPF is removing barriers so everyone can connect, play, and belong.
The Madison Parks Foundation is leading efforts to make play possible for everyone. With five fully accessible playgrounds now open across the city—and more on the way—these spaces are transforming how our community experiences parks.
Building a City Where Everyone Can Play
Nearly 1 in 4 adults in Dane County lives with some form of disability—physical, sensory, or cognitive. Traditional playgrounds often create barriers for children and families who use wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility devices. MPF is helping remove those barriers by funding inclusive design features such as:
Rubberized, mobility-device-friendly surfaces
Adaptive swings and play structures for kids of all abilities
Wide, gently graded paths that welcome wheelchairs, strollers, and walking aids
More Than Play—It’s About Connection
Accessible playgrounds are about far more than equipment. When children of all abilities can play side by side, they learn empathy, cooperation, and inclusion from an early age. Parents and caregivers can join in too, creating shared experiences that strengthen community bonds and bring neighbors together.
Neighborhood Gathering Spaces
Each inclusive playground—at Warner Park, Rennebohm Park, Reindahl Park, Elver Park, and Brittingham Park—demonstrates what’s possible when accessibility is part of the design from the start. These spaces have become neighborhood gathering points where everyone can play, explore, and feel a sense of belonging.
Expanding Accessibility Beyond Playgrounds
MPF’s commitment to inclusion extends beyond playgrounds. The Foundation also supports:
Accessible beach mats at Vilas and Bernie’s Beaches, with three more coming in 2026 to Esser, Warner Park, and Tenney Park Beaches
Accessibility upgrades at The Glen Golf Park, including a reconstructed patio and new accessible restrooms at the clubhouse
Three new water wheelchairs at Goodman Pool, making Madison’s only community pool more inclusive for swimmers of all abilities
Accessible trail and pathway improvements throughout the park system
Adaptive recreation opportunities that welcome participation for all
Park design enhancements that make outdoor experiences more comfortable and inviting for residents of every age and ability