Hudson Park

Hudson Park is a small 4.75-acre park located in Madison, Wisconsin. Situated along the shores of Lake Monona, the park offers scenic lake views and access to the water.

The park is notable for its historical and cultural significance. It contains three well-preserved Native American effigy mounds, which led to its designation as a City of Madison Historical Landmark in 1990. These mounds, dating back to around 500-1200 A.D., include bear, lynx, and lizard effigies. They are part of what was once a larger group of about 30 Indian mounds in the area.

In addition to its archaeological features, Hudson Park has a bronze memorial dedicated to the Ho-Chunk nation. The sculpture, created by Native American artist Harry Whitehorse in 1991, was made from the trunk of a lightning-struck hackberry tree and includes carvings of various animals and a Ho-Chunk warrior.

The park underwent improvements in 2012, enhancing beach area safety, accessibility, and aesthetics. These upgrades included replacing an old stone wall, creating safer access points for kayaks and canoes, and installing vegetated riprap to protect the eroding shoreline.

While Hudson Park is relatively small, it serves as an important neighborhood green space and provides a connection to both natural beauty and cultural history along Lake Monona's shore.