Lafollette Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Lafollette Park is a public park located in Madison, Wisconsin.


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Summary

It is named after Robert M. Lafollette, a former governor of Wisconsin. One of the main attractions of the park is its outdoor swimming pool, which is open during the summer months. The pool has several water slides and a diving board, making it a popular destination for families.

The park also has several picnic areas, a playground, and a basketball court. Visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, and fishing in the nearby lake. There are also several walking and biking trails that wind through the park's wooded areas.

One of the most interesting facts about Lafollette Park is that it was once a landfill site. The park was created in the 1960s as part of a landfill reclamation project. Today, it is a beautiful green space that provides a peaceful retreat for visitors.

The best time of year to visit Lafollette Park is during the summer months, when the swimming pool is open and the weather is warm and sunny. However, the park is open year-round and visitors can enjoy winter activities such as ice skating and cross-country skiing.

Overall, Lafollette Park is a great destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts. With its wide range of recreational activities and stunning natural beauty, it is a must-see attraction in Madison, Wisconsin.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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