Madison Park, “Lakewood’s Backyard Park,” is literally the backyard for many folks living in the dense neighborhoods of southeastern Lakewood.  The park’s location in the middle of the neighborhood, within walking distance of so many and so close to public transportation, is an asset.  The many recreational offerings available at Madison Park—playground, soccer field, swimming pool, tennis courts, Usher Field—and the proximity to the Madison branch of the Lakewood Public Library also make the park invaluable.  Yet, much that the park has to offer is hidden from view by the library—Becks Pool and Usher Field. 

Our Vision for the park is to create an attractive streetscape on Madison with entry elements into the park, a bright, well-landscaped entry plaza, and a Reading Garden to be enjoyed by patrons of the Madison Branch.

Although Madison Park currently has much to offer, these various areas are not currently well connected. Our Vision is to have 3,500 linear feet of compacted stone trail encircling the park, providing yet another recreational offering for walkers and increasing the perception of safety by getting additional “spontaneous users” into the park. (We like the trails at Lakewood Park as shown at the left)

Play equipment designed specifically for “Tweeners” and new basketball hoops with scheduled and monitored hours are other recreational options. LEAF community gardens and an orchard will bring additional users to currently underutilized parts of the park, and decorative benches and trash receptacles, as well as tables for games and computers, will invite folks to use the park for work and relaxation.

The Friends of Madison Park are committed to the revitalization and improvement of Madison Park and the desire to retain and highlight the park's rich cultural diversity and historical roots with the City of Lakewood.