A Clear Path to the Water: Accessible Beach Pathways Now Open at Three Madison Beaches
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Every summer, thousands of families head to Madison's beaches to cool off, play in the sand, and spend time together by the water. But for community members who use wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility devices, simply reaching the water's edge has often meant navigating loose, uneven sand — if it was possible at all.
That's changed. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Madison Parks Foundation has funded accessible beach pathways at three of Madison's most beloved beaches: Tenney Beach, Warner Park Beach, and Esther Beach.
The project combines permanent cement pathways with seasonal beach matting to create a full, barrier-free route — from the newly renovated, ADA-compliant beach shelters all the way to the water's edge.
Working in partnership with Madison Parks Division, the Foundation funded cement pathways at all three locations, extending from the beach shelters down to the high water mark. These permanent pathways offer:
A complete accessible route from restroom facilities to the water's edge
Smooth, stable surfaces that accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, and other mobility devices
Durable infrastructure that eliminates the need for annual installation and removal
Year-round accessibility
Improved safety compared to temporary matting on uneven sand
From the high water mark to the water itself, seasonal beach matting will continue to provide access during the summer swimming season, building on lessons learned from previous matting installations at Madison beaches.
Construction is complete, and all three accessible beach pathways are now open for use.
"For too long, community members who use wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility devices have faced barriers to accessing our beautiful beaches," said Stephanie Franklin, President & Executive Director of Madison Parks Foundation. "This is what the Parks for All campaign is all about — working together to continually strive to make our parks welcoming and enjoyable for all. We couldn't be more excited to bring this project to our beautiful beaches, and we are deeply grateful to our donors who help make projects like these possible."
Eric Knepp, Superintendent of Madison Parks Division, echoed that sentiment:
"Madison's parks belong to everyone, and it is our responsibility to make sure every resident can access and enjoy them. These beach pathways are a meaningful step forward in fulfilling that promise. We're grateful to the Madison Parks Foundation and its donors for their partnership in making this vision a reality — and for investing in infrastructure that will serve our community for years to come."
Part of a Larger Commitment: Parks for All
This project is one piece of Madison Parks Foundation's broader Parks for All campaign — a $10 million initiative to sustain and grow accessibility, programming, and stewardship across all 297 parks in Madison's park system, for generations to come. At the heart of that campaign is a simple belief: our parks should be welcoming and accessible to all.
The accessible beach pathway project joins other recent milestones in that effort, including the Frautschi Family Accessible Playground and the Jeff Erlanger Sprayground at Rennebohm Park — each one bringing Madison closer to a park system that truly works for everyone.
Thank You to Our Donors
None of this would be possible without the generosity of Madison Parks Foundation donors. Ninety cents of every dollar given to the Foundation goes directly to programs and projects like this one — creating lasting infrastructure that will welcome families to Madison's beaches for years to come.
