Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Tenney Park

O.C. Simonds & John Nolen, Landscape Architects

—1900-1911 —

Tenney Park Marker image. Click for full size.

By William J. Toman, November 30, 2011

1. Tenney Park Marker

Inscription. Designed by O.C. Simonds, the founder of the Prairie School of landscape architecture, Madison's first city park emphasizes naturalistic placement of native plant species. The design created lagoons to symbolize prairie rivers and meadows to symbolize the prairie landscape. The lagoons surround a designed island, accessed by five bridges. During expansion (1908-1910) Nolen introduced active elements including playing fields, a sand beach, and playgrounds. The success of the park triggered an era of park philanthropy with residents contributing to additional park development.

Designated May 08, 1995

Erected 2011 by the Madison Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number 125.)

Marker series. This marker is included in the Wisconsin, Madison Landmarks Commission marker series.

Location. 43° 5.569′ N, 89° 22.305′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. Marker is at the intersection of Sherman Avenue and Marston Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Sherman Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Madison WI 53703, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tenney Park Lock and Dam (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sherman Avenue Crossing

By William J. Toman, November 30, 2011

2. Tenney Park Marker

The marker is on a stone between Sherman Avenue, on the left, and one of the park paths, on the right. The A.G. Zimmerman bridge, one of the bridges mentioned in the marker, is in the background at the end of the path.

(approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Tenney Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Hirsig House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fuller & Johnson Manufacturing Co. Office Building (approx. half a mile away); Gisholt Machine Company Manufacturing Complex (approx. half a mile away); Steensland Bridge (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Steensland Bridge (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Regarding Tenney Park. According to the Madison Landmarks Commission, "Originally 14 acres of marshland, [the Tenney Park] parcel was purchased in 1899 by the Madison Park and Pleasure Drive Association with a grant of $4,000 from Madison attorney, Daniel K. Tenney. The MPPDA hired Ossian Cole Simonds, a landscape architect, to design a park on the site, intended to serve the families of working men and women who lived near the shops and factories on the isthmus. The park has been expanded and its plan altered several times, but the lagoon and island were part of Simonds' original plan."

Related markers.