Dogs are human’s most trusted friends and they need a very special treatment, whether it is eating, or playing out there in the ground or even when training them. These superb canines have just enough places to run, or roll in the mud, or sniff and bark at other canine members, or easily catch a Frisbee or ball. But it is quite significant to mention here that dearly canines still need extra place to ease around, exercise and run with full energy along with their human friends. The City of Madison Parks Division has come up with specially designed Dog parks and which have become popular among the dog owners and of course dogs. The special Madison Dog Parks require a Dog Park Permit, which is offered to those dog owners who have a valid dog license.

Madison Parks are open in all four seasons – spring, summer, winter or fall. The parks are ideally suited for your dogs and as there’s something extra to enjoy out there in these parks. General rules followed in Madison Dog Parks include:

• Dog must be vaccinated for fatal Rabies and Corona Virus and Dog’ License Should be Current
• Dogs should have current rabies, license, park permit and owner ID tags when he/she comes to park
• Dog owner should not entice his/her dog to bark at, intimidate, attack, or threaten other pet or pet owner
• Female dogs in season (heat) is restricted from entering Madison Dog Park

Some of the popular Madison Dog off Leash parks are:

• Brittingham Park – Dog Off-Leash Park

Location: 401 West Shore Dr at Broom Street

Bag Dispenser: Yes

Benches: Yes

Fountain: No

Fencing: Yes

Shelter: No

• Demetral Field – Dog Off-Leash Park

Location: Packers Ave & Commercial Ave

Bag Dispenser: No

Benches: No

Fountain: No

Fencing: Yes

Shelter: No

• Quann Park – Dog Off-Leash Park

Location: 1802 Expo Drive

Bag Dispenser: No

Benches: No

Fountain: No

Fencing: Yes

Shelter: No

• Sycamore Park – Dog Off-Leash Park

Location: 4517 Sycamore Park

Bag Dispenser: Yes

Benches: Yes

Fountain: No

Fencing: Yes

Shelter: Yes

• Warner Park – Dog Off-Leash Park

Location: Sheridan Drive along lagoon at boat launch auxiliary parking lot

Bag Dispenser: Yes

Benches: Yes

Fountain: No

Fencing: Yes

Shelter: No

• McCormick Greenway Dog Off-Leash Park

Location: 702 N. McCormick Avenue

Bag Dispenser: No

Benches: No

Fountain: No

Fencing: Yes

Shelter: No

It’s true, the weather is so blustery-cold that you’d rather stay indoors with a hot cocoa and a movie on most winter days. However, come late January / early February, cabin fever sets in for many folks. Luckily, Madison Wisconsin has a number of fun activities to help you beat the winter blues and pre-spring anxiety.

1. For Families: Check out the Madison Children’s Museum, which charges only $5 for admission. Unique exhibits include: Let’s Grow, which teaches kids about gardening; Building Boom, where kids can be construction workers and build their ideal city; and Dig Into Dinosaurs, which develops kids’ interest in archaeology and paleontology.
2. For Sports Fans: Catch a football game at Camp Randall Stadium, home to the University of Wisconsin Badgers “Big Ten” team. At Middleton High School’s field, you can also see the newly formed Madison Mustangs, a semi-pro football team in the Ironman Football League. The Wisconsin Badgers college hockey and basketball teams play at the Kohl Center.
3. For Art-Lovers:  The Madison Overture Center for the Arts features concerts, operas, ballets, film festivals, cabaret dinner theater, Broadway plays and comedy performances all winter long.
4. For the Skiiers: Check out Madison Parks’ groomed cross-country trails at Elver Park, Odana Hills Golf Course, Monona Golf Course, Turville Woods, Owen Conservation Park, or South Cherokee Marsh.
5. For Botanists: Olbrich Botanical Gardens has a number of events during the winter time. Whether you like concerts, African drumming and dancing, flower shoes, wine and chocolate tasting, outdoor winter runs, or creative workshops, there is much to see and do at this 16-acre nature hotspot. Best of all, admission is free!
6. For Ice Skaters: Hit up outdoor rinks at the following parks: Elver, Tenney and Vilas, Olbrich, Westmorland, Warner, Garner and Goodman.
7. For Sledders: Exhilarating (but safe) sledding hills can be found at Elver, Olbrich, Sycamore, Hiestand, Berkley and Warner Parks if the temperatures are low enough and there are several inches of snow. Elver Park is a great place for families, since there is a warming house and concession stand in addition to the sledding hill.
8. For Festival Lovers: Winter Festival in Capitol Square is a weekend winter celebration that showcases snow sports, ice carving, snow sculpting and local exhibitors, with ample opportunities to cross country ski, tube, snowshow, snowboard, run, walk, or bike. This event usually occurs sometime in February. 
9. For Animal Lovers: Take a romantic horse-pulled sleigh ride throughout East Madison from Purity Spring Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides.
10. For Extreme Sports Fans: Snowmobile Dane County with likeminded individuals by contacting Darren Marsh, the Dane County Snowmobile Coordinator at 608-224-3730.