One of the three original city of Madison parks
Formally Conklin Park Renamed James Madison Park in 1963
11.5-acres bordered by E. Gorham St., N. Butler St., Lake Mendota
The park grew over the years through purchases of homes along E. Gorham.
The original park started with the land purchased from the Conklin family in 1938.
The Conklin ice house had stood on the site.
Col. Joseph "Bud" Jackson, business manager of the Jackson Clinic and leader of the Madison and Wisconsin Foundation, had for years been promoting the site as a location for a convention center in opposition to the Monona Avenue-Olin Terrace site that Frank Lloyd Wright and his supporters had been seeking. Jackson was an admirer of James Madison and suggested the name to the Parks Commission.
2007 -2008: Mayor wants to expand James Madison Park again:
The mayor would sell the landmark Anna and Cornelius Collins house & Connor house set on a
hill overlooking the lake at 646 and 640 E. Gorham St. It's suggested that they could be moved.
Once located on this site:
Bernard-Hoover Boat House
Conklin & Sons Co.
Gates of Heaven (Still Located Here)
Mendota Yacht Club
