Watona Park is one of Madelia’s most important community spaces, serving as home to community gatherings, the golf course, swimming pool, campground, baseball fields, soccer fields, and more.
Over the past several years, the park has also faced significant challenges, particularly from flooding. The City of Madelia continues to invest in recovery, improvements, and long-term planning to make Watona Park a welcoming and resilient place for generations to come.
This page provides a look at where we’ve been, what’s happening today, and what we’re planning for the future.
Our Progress
2023 – Planning for Watona Park
The City partnered with Bolton & Menk to develop a Master Park Plan and begin considering the long-term needs of Watona Park.
June 2024 – Flooding Impacts Watona Park
Severe flooding caused significant damage throughout the park. Following inspections and safety evaluations, the former golf course clubhouse and tan shelter were demolished.
June 2025 – Madelia Golf Course Reopens
Following extensive repairs, the Madelia Golf Course reopened for play. A new Pro-Shed was installed to provide clubhouse services while the City continued evaluating the future of the former clubhouse area.
May 2026 – Preparing the Park for Another Season
The former clubhouse site was cleaned up, and pickleball equipment was added to the white building to provide another recreational option for residents.
June 2026 – Looking at the Bigger Picture
Through the Empowering Small Minnesota Communities program, the City partnered with the University of Minnesota Design Center to explore how Watona Park’s recreational amenities could evolve while accounting for the park’s ongoing flooding challenges.
Happening Now at Watona Park
Madelia Splash Pad Project
The Madelia Splash Pad project officially moved into construction in 2026. Current work includes new ADA-accessible restrooms serving the pool and future splash pad, along with site grading and other preparation work.
Construction will continue as the project moves toward completion. Stay up to date on the Madelia Splash Pad and Playground Facebook page.
Planning Beyond the Next Project
Watona Park’s future requires looking beyond individual projects.
Because much of Watona Park is located within an area susceptible to flooding, decisions about future recreation facilities need to consider both community needs and long-term resilience. The City is working with residents, engineers, designers, and community partners to better understand what belongs in Watona Park, where amenities should be located, and how investments can be protected for the future.
Future Flooding
Swimming Pool
Playground
Gathering Spaces
Trails
How can future improvements account for flood risk?
What will be needed as the pool continues to age?
Where and how should future playground equipment be replaced?
Where can residents gather for picnics, events and celebrations?
What types of trails can our park system support?
These are long-term considerations, not finalized projects. Future improvements will depend on community priorities, engineering considerations, available funding, and City Council decisions.
Building Watona Park’s Future
Watona Park has been part of life in Madelia for generations. Flood recovery, new amenities, infrastructure improvements, and long-term planning are all part of the City’s effort to make sure it continues serving the community well into the future.
Some improvements will happen quickly. Others will take years of planning, partnerships, funding, and community input. This page will continue to be updated as that work moves forward.
