Esther Beach Park

Lakeside Location

Right next to the southeastern shore of Turville Bay in Lake Monona, Esther Beach Park is a charming little neighborhood retreat that spans just 1.60 acres. What it lacks in size, it makes up for with lovely views of downtown Madison across the water. The vista of the capitol building and city skyline from here is quite impressive.

The beach itself isn't huge - about 70 feet long and 50 feet wide with a gentle 7.5% slope. Fair warning: because of how it sits within Turville Bay, the beach tends to collect aquatic vegetation and debris that the winds push in. While the sandy area is pleasant enough for lounging, you should know that if you're planning to swim, you'll encounter quite a bit of lake vegetation extending several feet from shore.

Recent Makeover

2018 was a big year for this little park. It got a serious facelift with several thoughtful additions including a clean, modern restroom building, a reservable picnic shelter for your gatherings, and a new playground area connected by an accessible path.

The restrooms include flush toilets and a drinking fountain with a water bottle filling station - handy for refilling after walking the lake loop.

The renovation wasn't just about visitor amenities. The parking lot got fresh pavement, and several eco-friendly improvements were made, including shoreline restoration, a new raingarden and stormwater swale, plus reconstructed storm infrastructure to help keep the lake cleaner by reducing pollutants and runoff.

Things to Do

If you've got kids in tow, the playground is clean and safe with enough equipment to keep them entertained. There are also swings positioned near the water - talk about a view while you swing!

The beach area works well for sunbathing, but it really shines as a launch point for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. Nothing beats paddling out into Lake Monona from this quiet corner. The picnic area offers a wonderful spot to enjoy lunch with those impressive water and skyline views as your backdrop.

Just know that dogs aren't allowed at the beach or in the water. And yes, you'll likely encounter geese and their, um, "contributions" to the landscape. Consider it part of the authentic lake experience.

A Bit of History

This park has roots going back to the 1870s when the Askew brothers ran a passenger boat business here. In 1901, they established a dance hall and picnic grounds on what would become Esther Beach Park.

The park was named after Charles Askew's daughter, who passed away in 1883. For decades, the dance hall - known as Hollywood-at-the-Beach - was a local hotspot until it finally closed in 1952.

Good to Know Before You Go

There's no lifeguard on duty here, so swimming is at your own risk. During summer, the water undergoes quality testing, and swimming might be prohibited if they detect high bacteria levels or blue-green algae - which does happen from time to time throughout the summer. The water quality here can be hit-or-miss, like many of Madison's lakes.

One of the perks of this park is that it tends to be less crowded than Madison's more popular beaches. If you're looking for a quiet spot to enjoy nature without the crowds, this might be your place. The park welcomes visitors from 4AM to 10PM daily.