Fireman's Park Beach
Verona, Wisconsin · on Badger Mill Creek
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- quarry
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $4
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Fireman's Park Beach
Fireman's Park Beach is a staffed, fee-based municipal swimming beach operated by the City of Verona, Wisconsin, built on a former limestone/rock quarry (locally called Quarry Lake). It has served as a community swimming spot for decades and underwent a major accessibility-focused renovation completed in 2019.
The beach sits within Fireman's Park on the site of a former rock quarry that was converted to public recreation space; the 2019 renovation added graded terraces and a sunbathing deck along the quarry-lake shoreline plus an ADA-accessible ramp to the upper park areas.
Swimming at Fireman's Park Beach
Swimming is confined to a roped-off, lifeguard-supervised area of the former quarry lake beach; it is designed as a family swim beach (with an adjoining free splash pad for younger kids) rather than a backcountry or wild swimming hole. Public Health Madison & Dane County monitors water quality and reported acceptable results with an 83°F near-shore temperature on a July 2026 check.
How to get to this swimming hole
Park entrance is off Bruce Street near Paoli Street in Verona, WI 53593; a Fireman's Park address of 111 Lincoln Street is also cited by a facility listing.
Parking: An on-site parking lot serves the beach entrance (per Public Health Madison & Dane County beach listing); no further detail on lot size or overflow parking was found.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up, staffed municipal beach with an on-site parking lot immediately adjacent to the swim area; no hike or trail is involved.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Staffed by certified lifeguards 12-5pm during the June 14-Aug 16 2026 season, swimming confined to a roped-off area, Coast Guard-approved flotation devices permitted, and a free adjoining splash pad (9am-7pm daily, Memorial Day-Labor Day) suits younger kids; city rules require anyone under 8 be supervised by someone 15+.
Parking
Lot
On-site parking lot at the park entrance off Bruce St near Paoli St, Verona, WI 53593 (per Public Health Madison & Dane County beach listing); no source specifies a separate parking fee beyond the beach admission fee, and lot size/overflow parking is not documented.
Restrooms
Yes
Restrooms are in the on-site shelter building at the beach (also referenced simply as 'parking lot and restrooms available' by the county health department beach listing).
Hours
Beach is staffed and swimming permitted 12:00pm-5:00pm daily during the 2026 season (June 14-Aug 16), and closes for the day if the forecast high is below 70F; the free splash pad runs 9:00am-7:00pm daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
On the water
No official source (city site, county health dept, or visitor bureau) mentions kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, or boats at this location; consistent with it being a small, roped-off, lifeguard-supervised swim beach on a former quarry pond with no boat launch mentioned. Absence of watercraft mentions is not confirmation of a formal ban -- treated as unknown/not documented rather than prohibited.
Backstory
The original Fireman's Park served as a community gathering place for soccer, picnics, and swimming for decades before falling into disrepair; a City of Verona-commissioned master plan by MSA Professional Services led to a renovation (opened July 31, 2019) adding an accessible splash pad, new beach terraces, and ADA ramps, which won a 2024 Wisconsin Chapter ASLA Merit Award.
Fireman's Park Beach: FAQ
Does Fireman's Park Beach charge a fee?
2026 daily admission: $4 residents / $6 nonresidents. Season passes: $50 (resident individual) to $220 (nonresident family of up to 6); add-on nanny/babysitter pass $25. The adjoining splash pad is free.
Is Fireman's Park Beach kid friendly?
Staffed by certified lifeguards 12-5pm during the June 14-Aug 16 2026 season, swimming confined to a roped-off area, Coast Guard-approved flotation devices permitted, and a free adjoining splash pad (9am-7pm daily, Memorial Day-Labor Day) suits younger kids; city rules require anyone under 8 be supervised by someone 15+.
Do I need to hike to reach Fireman's Park Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Fireman's Park Beach?
On-site parking lot at the park entrance off Bruce St near Paoli St, Verona, WI 53593 (per Public Health Madison & Dane County beach listing); no source specifies a separate parking fee beyond the beach admission fee, and lot size/overflow parking is not documented.
When is the best time to visit Fireman's Park Beach?
Beach is staffed and open in summer only; the 2026 season runs June 14-August 16, with daily hours cited as 12:00-5:00 pm by the city site (a separate listing gives 1:00-6:00 pm) and closure on days with a forecast high below 70°F.
What are the rules at Fireman's Park Beach?
Children under 8 must be supervised at all times by someone 15 or older; swimming is not allowed outside the roped-off area during open hours; Coast Guard-approved flotation devices are permitted; coolers/outside food allowed but glass containers and alcohol are prohibited; no fishing in the swim area while the beach is open.
What water body is Fireman's Park Beach on?
Fireman's Park Beach is on Badger Mill Creek, a natural quarry verified in USGS hydrography data.
