Vilas Park Improvements
September 9, 2026 Update
Madison Parks is having a geomorphological review done of Vilas Park as outlined in the Vilas Park Cultural Resources Plan. The goal of this study is to better understand the park's soils and buried archaeological potential. After selecting a qualified firm, researchers began background work to determine how much field investigation is needed to complete this study.
Starting September 17, a geoarchaeologist and coring team will collect 18 sediment cores (1.75–2.5 inches in diameter) across the park. The cores will be collected over the course of approximately 48 hours and transported to a laboratory for processing and analysis.
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Project Details
Project Information
Vilas Park is a nearly 50-acre community park, located on Madison's near westside. There are a number of improvements and projects are happening and being planned for Vilas Park. While timelines and scope for each project vary, some as part of the adopted 2021 master plan for Vilas Park, this page is intended to capture and detail each project.
Temporary Fence and Native Landscape Plantings
A temporary fence is installed between the grassy area and the parking lot driveway, near the Zoo parking lot entrance at Drake and Randall streets. The fencing is to prevent cars from parking on the grass as we prepare for a long-term landscaping project.
The long-term plan is to create a beautiful and sustainable native planting bed with trees, shrubs, and ground cover. Installation will be done in stages beginning in the fall of 2024 and continuing in 2025. The temporary fence will remain in place until the plants are well-established and large enough to naturally discourage parking on the grass.
Tennis Courts
The tennis courts in Vilas Park are closed.
- Due to significant cracks and damage, the City's Risk Manager has deemed the Vilas Park tennis courts as unsafe.
- The condition of the courts has deteriorated to the point beyond repair and must be replaced. Budget allocations for replacement are several years away.
- The courts will be demolished after the appropriate archeological study is completed and permits are issued.
Accessible Beach Mat
The Parks Division, in partnership with the Madison Parks Foundation, will be installing an accessible beach mat at Vilas Park Beach in 2024. A concrete sidewalk was installed in September 2023 to provide access to the beach mat from Vilas Park Drive. The beach mat is planned to be installed in the spring of 2024.
A beach mat allows access to the beach and the water for people with limited mobility or in wheelchairs. The Parks Division installed a beach mat at Bernie's Beach in 2021 which has been well received. A photo of the installation is included at the bottom of this page.
West Playground
Earlier in 2022, the City of Madison Parks Division began efforts for improvements to the western playground at Vilas Park, otherwise known as the “cheese” playground. As part of the adopted 2021 master plan for Vilas Park, this playground is intended to change to a nature-based play area instead of typical post and platform playground equipment. In January 2023, the project was paused and the scheduled public input meeting was canceled. We intend to revisit the project in the future.
Cultural Resources
The Vilas Park Cultural Resources Report was approved by the Board of Park Commissioners on November 5, 2025.
Work to implement the plans, starting with Step 1 (Literature Review) and Step 2 (Geomorphological Review of Vilas Park) is ongoing.
Project Updates
September 9, 2026 Update
Madison Parks is having a geomorphological review done of Vilas Park as outlined in the Vilas Park Cultural Resources Plan. The goal of this study is to better understand the park's soils and buried archaeological potential. After selecting a qualified firm, researchers began background work to determine how much field investigation is needed to complete this study.
Starting September 17, a geoarchaeologist and coring team will collect 18 sediment cores (1.75–2.5 inches in diameter) across the park. The cores will be collected over the course of approximately 48 hours and transported to a laboratory for processing and analysis.
November 7, 2025 Update
The Vilas Park Cultural Resources Plan was adopted by the Board of Park Commissioners at their meeting on November 5, 2025 (Legislative File 90637)
October 23, 2025 Update
Thank you to everyone that attended the Public Meeting. Your time and feedback is greatly appreciated. The meeting recording can be viewed below.
October 17, 2025 Update
Madison Parks is holding a Vilas Park Public Information Meeting on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 6:00 pm. The meeting is being held virtually, REGISTER IN ADVANCE.
The draft Vilas Park Cultural Resources Plan is now available.
October 6, 2025 Update
Madison Parks is holding a Vilas Park Public Information Meeting on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 6:00 pm. The meeting is being held virtually, REGISTER IN ADVANCE.
Topics that will be discussed include:
- Review of the Vilas Park Master Plan
- Vilas Park Cultural Resources Plan
- Future planned projects at Vilas Park