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Palmer Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,245 Google reviews · Running trail in Janesville, Wisconsin · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Palmer Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
164-acre park with a unique, ADA-compliant playground, a wading pool, ball courts & picnic areas.
What runners say about Palmer Park
“Very clean, great options for shade, picnic areas, and lots of bench seating.”
“The park also has a children’s swimming pool, numerous oak tree-shaded picnic and grilling spots, several picnic structures.”
“Lots of different play equipment for all ages.”
It’s a great place for the children to play. There is a large play ground with many children facilities. Also the biking trail is great and nice scenery. Also we can see many different animals around, like deers.
Palmer Park is a large park in Janesville. It has 9 tennis courts, surrounded by trees, and backed by a wind-blocking bluff. It’s one of the prettiest settings for tennis courts anywhere. It serves as the home of the Janesville Open tennis tournament.
An awesome place to walk the glacier trail, take the kids to go exploring all the different areas around the park. Sledding hills, water park, playgrounds, tennis, trails... Great family fun, or your peace of quite.
Love this park! Lots of fun playground equipment and open space to run, play and explore.
Trail conditions & character
“There is a public bathrooms pavilion not far from the playground and pool area.”
“There were lots of play options to accommodate those with disabilities, including a wheelchair accessible swing and large seated swings.”
“The park also has a children’s swimming pool, numerous oak tree-shaded picnic and grilling spots, several picnic structures.”
Plan your run at Palmer Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitejanesvillewi.gov
- Phone(608) 755-3025
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–6:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:30 AM–6:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 9:30 AM–6:30 PM |
| Friday | 12–6:30 PM |
| Saturday | 12–6:30 PM |
| Sunday | 12–6:30 PM |
Running trails near Janesville
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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