Tenney Park park
Community Reviews
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Reviews, ratings & photos are added in the free Snoflo iOS app — rate a spot, tag the conditions, and your visit is verified by location. Add or manage your reviews from the app.
Tenney Park
Reasons to Visit:
1. Natural Beauty: The park is situated on the banks of Lake Mendota, providing breathtaking views of the water, surrounding greenery, and stunning sunsets.
2. Recreation Opportunities: Tenney Park offers various recreational activities such as walking, jogging, picnicking, and fishing. It has well-maintained trails, open spaces, and a sand beach area.
3. Boating and Kayaking: The park features a boat launch facility, making it an ideal spot for boating and kayaking enthusiasts.
4. Family-friendly Atmosphere: With a playground area, picnic shelters, and a beach, Tenney Park is perfect for families to enjoy a day outdoors.
Points of Interest:
1. Yahara River Locks: One of the main attractions of Tenney Park is the Yahara River Locks, a set of historic locks used for water navigation. Visitors can observe boats passing through and learn about the lock system's significance.
2. John Wall Family Pavilion: This beautiful pavilion is a popular spot for weddings, family gatherings, and community events. Its location offers a scenic view of Lake Mendota.
3. Ice Skating: During winter, when the conditions allow, a portion of the lagoon at Tenney Park transforms into an ice skating rink, offering a unique and fun experience.
Interesting Facts:
1. Historical Significance: Tenney Park is named after Samuel Tenney, who was an early settler and judge in Madison. The park has been a public space since the late 19th century.
2. Native American Artifacts: The park's grounds contain several Native American burial mounds, highlighting its historical importance.
3. Musical Performances: Every summer, the park hosts "Concerts on the Square," a series of outdoor concerts by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. This event attracts thousands of visitors each year.
Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit Tenney Park depends on personal preferences. Spring and summer are great for boating, kayaking, picnicking, and enjoying the playground. Fall offers beautiful foliage, making it a popular time for walks and photography. Winter brings the opportunity for ice skating, weather permitting. Additionally, attending the "Concerts on the Square" during summer can be a memorable experience.
It is always advisable to check the official Madison Parks website or consult local sources for the most up-to-date information regarding park hours, activities, and any seasonal events or restrictions.
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- 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 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.
- 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.
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Area campgrounds
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within reach of Tenney Park, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babcock County Park Campground | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Token Creek County Park | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Badger Prairie Park Dca | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Andersen Preserve Dca | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Springfield Hill Dca | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Eastern Lodi Marsh Dca | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, fishing spots, and POIs so a park visit can grow into a full weekend.
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Tenney Park as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Tenney Park
What can I do at Tenney Park?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Tenney Park?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other parks near here
Snoflo-tracked parks within driving distance of Tenney Park.