Madison Reporter

This July, the Madison Parks Foundation and Madison Parks will celebrate the 130-year anniversary of the Madison Park and Pleasure Drive Association (MPPDA), which was responsible for forming the current Madison Parks System. To ensure ongoing access and improvements to parks, the Madison Parks Foundation is establishing a new Parks For All Trust.

The association began with the aim of making parkland and lakes accessible to all community members. John Olin and Edward Owen initiated the MPPDA, acquiring more parkland with fellow philanthropists like William and Anna Vilas, Daniel Tenney, Michael Olbrich, among others. The association garnered strong support, with up to 75% of the population contributing time, talents, and resources.

John Olin established his own trust that continues to support the park system today. Inspired by this legacy, the Madison Parks Foundation is launching a Parks For All Trust Campaign to raise funds supporting parks in perpetuity. The campaign will be announced at the 130-year anniversary celebration on Sunday, July 21 at The Glen Golf Park. The primary purpose of this Trust is to enhance park use through programming, capital projects, and other inclusivity-driven enhancements not funded by tax dollars.

The Parks For All Trust modernizes Olin's century-old trust by allowing multiple donors—whether contributing $1 or $10 million—to participate in sustaining parks for future generations.

“While $10M is merely a starting point,” said Executive Director Stephanie Franklin. “A trust of this size will be transformative, ensuring a better future for thousands of children and families who use our playgrounds, beaches, trails, parks and programs in perpetuity.”

Today’s parks offer various opportunities supported by funding:

- Free movies in unique park locations;

- Passes to Goodman Pool free for area youth (youth season pass $60; family season pass $185);

- Beach water wheelchairs for public beach and pool access;

- Rigid non-slip beach mats for mobility device users;

- Goats at Work conservation program using goats for natural area management;

- Live at The Glen Music series offering free local concerts;

- The Learning Series providing free instruction-based activities like cross-country skiing, fishing, ice skating.

The Parks For All Trust aims to impact thousands of park users and their families for years to come.

Since 1894, Madison Parks have enriched Madison's landscape. As a non-profit partner of Madison Parks, the Madison Parks Foundation supports conserving, promoting, and enhancing parks while advancing equity and programming goals.

---