Melvin Price Memorial City Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Melvin Price Memorial City Park is a popular destination in Madison, Wisconsin, known for its scenic beauty and diverse range of activities.


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Summary

The park covers an area of 112 acres and includes several points of interest, such as the memorial for Melvin Price, a former congressman from Illinois, and the historic Hoyt Park Pool.

Visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities at the park, including hiking, biking, fishing, and picnicking. There are also several playgrounds, a basketball court, and a disc golf course available for visitors to enjoy. The park is home to several species of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and birds, making it a popular spot for birdwatching.

One of the most significant attractions at Melvin Price Memorial City Park is the Hoyt Park Pool, which was built in 1938 and is now considered a historic landmark. The pool features a large swimming area, a water slide, and a concession stand.

Visitors can also explore the park's many trails, which offer breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. The park is especially beautiful in the fall, when the leaves on the trees turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow.

Overall, Melvin Price Memorial City Park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers, families, and anyone seeking a relaxing outdoor experience in the heart of Madison. With its stunning natural beauty, diverse range of activities, and fascinating history, it is a great place to spend a day or weekend exploring.

       

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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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