With a few exceptions, the Janesville city parks are open from 5 a.m. until 11 p.m. Rotary Gardens, Lustig Park and Palmer Hilltop area close at 9pm. Park restrooms and facilities are open from April 15 until October 15 of each year. Spring Brook Trail, Rockport Trail, and Kiwanis Pond are open year-round. Alcohol is not allowed in city parks unless specifically authorized by Janesville City Council (see exceptions under pavilion reservations). Call Janesville Parks and Recreation office for specific information. Service dogs and wheelchairs are allowed on the bike trail and in the park system year-round.

Some park facilities may be reserved, including pavilions. Also, you may apply for a permit to have a wedding in a park, or a bonfire. Click on one of these forms as needed: 

• Park Pavilion Rental Form
• Bonfire Permit
• Park Wedding Permit
• Beer Wine Permit

Arboretum

The City owns an arboretum that is open to the public and is outside the City of Janesville. Its location is 3550 W County Highway A. A GPS enabled trail map is available for the network of trails within the Arboretum. For more information, contact the Parks Division.

Boat Launches

Launches are found within Riverside and Traxler Parks (at the north end), Kiwanis Pond and Lions Pond, and the Rock River Parkway. North Traxler Park.  All City park boat launches are available for use without a fee.

Pavilion Reservation

Call the Parks and Recreation Divisions office for information, cost, and availability of a park pavilion or picnic grove for your special event, or use the Pavilion Form for more information. There is a fee and reservations must be made in person at the Parks and Recreation Office, or online at https://activenet.active.com/janesvilleleisure. Pavilion Locations: Bond, Lustig, Palmer, Peace, Riverside and Traxler Parks.

Paw Print Park

Fenced dog park on South Oakhill Ave. Prairie Knoll Park. Use the following link for the Permit.

Pets

Treat your dog to exercise at the City's Pet Exercise and Training Areas, where you can exercise your dogs year-round without having to comply with the leash law. They are found in Palmer Park (between Palmer Drive, I-90 and Mohawk Drive) and along the Rock River Parkway (off Afton Road). Hours are daily from 5am. to 11pm. Please keep dogs under control and clean up after them. A City ordinance does not permit dogs on any public playground, bike trail, golf course or park from May 15 to September 15. Animals are never permitted on school grounds.

Winter Fun

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING/SNOWSHOEING

Janesville has designated cross-country ski trails at Rockport Park. Rockport Park offers the City's most extensive cross-country skiing opportunities with over 6 miles of diverse trails. Trails are color coded for your enjoyment. Whether you are up for a competitive challenge or a family outing, you are sure to find it at Rockport Park.  The Friends of Rockport Park provide grooming of the trails as volunteers are available.

A groomed ski trail is also offered at Riverside Golf Course, 2100 Golf Course Rd.  There are nearly 2 miles of gently rolling trails that meander through Riverside Golf Course with occasional views of the Rock River.

Although Rockport Park and Riverside are the only groomed trails, cross country skiing is allowed in any city park and greenbelt, including Blackhawk Golf Course. Cross country skis and snow shoes are available for rent by contacting the Parks and Recreation office at 755-3030. This is a perfect opportunity to try out one or both of these activities before making the equipment purchase. There are limited sizes available and they are rented on a first come, first serve basis (they cannot be reserved ahead of time). The daily rate is:  $6/youth and $12/adult. The weekend rate is $10/youth and $16/adult.

CITY SLEDDING HILLS

Sledding opportunities in Janesville include Ardon Park (2201 Refset Drive), Palmer Park (2501 Palmer Drive), Riverside Park and Golf Course (2200 Parkside Drive), Lustig Park (1500 River View Drive), Rockport Park (2801 Rockport Road) and  Sheiffer Park (3600 Wright Road). The City does not, however, supervise or light these areas. Ardon Park is located on Liberty Lane, behind the Janesville Mall. The other City parks have hills that may be used for sledding and have limited parking. Caution is advised. Sledding can be hazardous. Always ensure that you have a wide and unobstructed path to travel. Little free sled sheds are available at Riverside, Ardon, Lustig and Sheiffer Parks.

Ice skating is available indoors at the Janesville Ice Arena during public skate hours.

A brochure and maps on fun winter activities is available in the Parks and Recreation Divisions office. Contact the Parks Division for information. Snowmobiling is not allowed in Janesville parks, golf courses and greenbelts. Contact Rock County Parks at (608) 757-5450 for more information on snowmobile trails in Rock County.

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Acrobat Reader Windows Media Player Word Viewer Excel Viewer PowerPoint Viewer