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Self-Guided Walks in Olin and Turville Parks

posted May 26, 2020, 3:08 PM by Tom DeChant


Our friends at PLATO have compiled self-guided walking tour guides for various parks and conservancy areas in the Madison area. In this time of social distancing, with our FOOT Bird & Nature Walks temporarily suspended, we thought you might be able to use this guide to enhance your experience of our favorite local parks. 

Here's the link to the guide:  https://platomadison.org/page-19646

Go take a walk!

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

posted May 19, 2020, 7:55 PM by Ron Shutvet   [ updated May 19, 2020, 8:04 PM ]

Use the following link to access current information regarding the use of the Madison Parks during this Coronavirus pandemic:


The link takes you to the City of Madison Parks Division webpage that provides current information about what parks or park facilities are open or closed and what you can or cannot do at various parks throughout the Madison Parks system during this Coronavirus pandemic.

2020 Spring Concerts - NOT HAPPENING

posted Apr 12, 2020, 3:03 PM by Tom DeChant   [ updated May 14, 2020, 8:44 PM ]

We did reserve the Olin Park pavilion for four spring Wednesdays, but Madison Parks Division has formally cancelled all Olin Park Pavilion reservations through May 25th,  We're currently exploring whether we could do a fall concert series in place of the usual September FOOT-Loose dance series.  We'll also be looking at our summer Yoga program with Sam Kellogg to see if/when that could be scheduled Watch this space for updates as the situation clarifies. And thanks for your patience.

FREE September Dances each TUESDAY in Olin Park Pavilion

posted Aug 13, 2019, 12:24 PM by Tom DeChant

Join us once again for four free Tuesday evening dance sessions, from 6 to 8 PM, during the month of September in the historic Olin Park pavilion. Each session will include instruction and demonstration - no partner needed for any of the dance styles.  

Here's the line-up:

-- September 3rd:       Madison Tango Society
-- September 10th:     Madison Contra Dance Co-op
-- September 17th:     Madison Scottish Country Dancers
-- September 24th:     Dairyland Cowboys & Cowgirls (line dancing)

Feel free to participate or just observe. Several of the groups will have live music too. Sessions go on rain or shine (we're indoors!) And it's a great dance floor.

FREE Yoga in the Pavilion - Back Again for 8th Year!

posted May 9, 2019, 1:14 PM by Tom DeChant

Once again, join Samantha Kellogg, trained Alignment Yoga instructor, for six FREE sessions of yoga on Tuesday evenings at 5:30 PM in the beautiful Olin Park pavilion.

Dates this year are:         May 21
                                        May 28
                                        July 2
                                        July 9
                                        July 16
                                        July 23

(Sorry about skipping June - pavilion was booked).

Class is open to all levels and experiences, and will focus on yoga fundamentals, breathing, asana postures, and bringing people together to practice in a beautiful location. Bring your mat if you have one, but mats & props are available.

Sponsored by Madison Parks Division, Madison Police Department, and F.O.O.T.


FREE Spring Concerts Return!

posted May 4, 2019, 10:26 AM by Tom DeChant

The FREE FOOT May concert series returns for spring of 2019 with a familiar line-up, all on Wednesday nights from 6 to 8 PM in the historic Olin Park pavilion. Here's the friendly local music makers you can hear:

-- May 8th:      The Whiskey Farm
    • -- May 15th:    Frankie Lee
  • -- May 22nd:   Cris Plata
-- May 29th:    The Berrymans (Peter & Lou)

Bike on down, bring the kids, bring refreshments - we'll provide the tables and chairs. Since we're inside the pavilion, all concerts will proceed, rain or shine. Enjoy the sounds, enjoy the sunsets and Capitol views, maybe dance a little. It's all free!

FOOT-Loose Fall Dance Series Returns

posted Aug 28, 2018, 6:05 PM by Tom DeChant

Join us again this September for four nights of FREE dance fun at the Olin Park Pavilion. Each dance session will last from 6 to 8 PM and will include instruction for willing participants. Dances are inside, so they will go on rain or shine. No need for a partner or any experience - come to learn or just to watch.

Line up of dances, as noted at left, is as follows:

Thursday, September 6th:  Madison Scottish County Dancers

Tuesday, September 11th:  Madison Tango Society

Tuesday, September 18th:  Madison Contra Dance Co-op

Tuesday, September 25th:  Dairlyand Cowboys & Cowgirls (line dancing)

So put your dancing shoes (or cowboy boots) on, and get yourself over to the Olin pavilion for some fun learning and exercise.

FREE May Concert Series Returns - Four Wednesdays in May at Olin Pavilion

posted Apr 17, 2018, 2:45 PM by Tom DeChant   [ updated May 10, 2018, 9:31 PM ]

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Four Wednesdays this May, enjoy the FREE sounds of great local musicians in the historical Olin Park pavilion. Each evening concert is played indoors (so come, rain or shine) from 6 to 8 PM. Bring a picnic, bring the kids, bring your dancin' shoes!

This year's line-up includes:
              • Wednesday, May 9:    Frankie Lee & the Maintainers
              • Wednesday, May 16:  Whiskey Farm
              • Wednesday, May 23:  Cris Plata
              • Wednesday, May 30:  Peter & Lou Berryman
This free concert series is sponsored by F.O.O.T. with generous support from the Madison Parks Division and Saris Cycling Group.

'Spring Fling' Sunday, May 6th in Olin Pavilion, 1-5 PM

posted Apr 17, 2018, 2:30 PM by Tom DeChant

Join your neighbors on Sunday, May 6th, from 1 to 5 PM for a celebration of spring in beautiful Olin and Turville parks.

 ·      Discover spring emphemerals - explore Turville Conservation Park through guided walks & a scavenger hunt for the young

·     Share a meal with your neighbors – bring a picnic or try your hand at roasting wieners and making s’mores over a fire

·      Decorate for spring – arts and crafts for kids to create their own spring expressions

·      Listen to local musicians – tap your toes to the beat of local musicians

·      Learn the past of these two historic parks – local historian Ron will share his expertise and photo boards

·      Go fly a kite! – Join local kite experts in catching the spring winds

·      And maybe learn to make root beer – logistics permitting, a demonstration of riotous root-beer making is in the works

 Spring Fling is sponsored by Friends of Olin-Turville (F.O.O.T.) with the generous support of the Madison Parks Division.

FOOT-Loose FREE Fall Dances are Baaaack!!

posted Aug 30, 2017, 8:06 PM by Tom DeChant   [ updated Aug 30, 2017, 8:12 PM ]

September brings back FOOT-Loose - the FREE fall dance series in the historic Olin Park pavilion. On the first three Thursdays of September, from 6 to 8 PM, FOOT and the Madison Parks Division jointly sponsor free dance lessons and participation. Come to learn (no partner necessary), or just to watch.

The line-up of dance options is:

-- Thursday, September 7th:      Madison Scottish Country Dancers
-- Thursday, September 14th:    Madison Contra Dance Co-op
-- Thursday, September 21st:    Dairyland Cowboys & Cowgirls (line dancing)

And to wind up the season, a big open community swing dance event. No lessons, just come and dance from 6 to 8 PM:

-- Wednesday, September 27th:  The Ladies Must Swing full orchestra!

                                                                          Come on down - to watch, to learn, or just to dance!!
 

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