Eagle Heights Community Center: Visitor Guide

Eagle Heights Community Center Hours

Building hours and office hours are different. Regular weekend closure does not prohibit an approved weekend rental, but renters must follow the separate entry procedure.

What Is Available at Eagle Heights?

The center has supported activities including basketball, soccer, volleyball, yoga, Zumba, social gatherings and educational events. Programs are scheduled separately; the presence of a gym does not mean public drop-in basketball is always available.

For a comparison with regular municipal fitness facilities offering day passes and general recreation access, read our community recreation center guide. Those public-access rules do not automatically apply at Eagle Heights.

Room, Kitchen & Gym Rental Fees

UW–Madison publishes the following Community Center rates for eligible University Apartments residents and resident organizations.

The rental price depends on the rooms, event duration and group size. A combined room-and-kitchen request can involve charges for each reserved space.

Who Can Rent a Space?

• Current residents of Eagle Heights, University Houses or Harvey Street University Apartments.
• Recognized University Apartments resident organizations.
• Other groups only if University Housing expressly confirms eligibility.

These are not unrestricted commercial venue rentals. A resident cannot assume an outside friend or unrelated organization can book space under the resident’s name.

For help understanding typical room capacities, deposits and overall event budgets, see our community center rental planning guide. Eagle Heights’ university policy takes priority over the examples from other centers.

How to Reserve a Room at Eagle Heights

University Housing uses an online reservation process. Requests must be submitted at least two business days before the event to be considered.

1. Open the official Community Center page.
2. Find the Create a Space Reservation link under renting space.
3. Sign in or complete the required reservation account details.
4. Select the desired meeting room, gym or kitchen.
5. Choose an available date and include setup, event and cleanup time.
6. Enter the event description and approximate number of guests.
7. Review the calculated fee and any large-group surcharge.
8. Complete the rental agreement through the approved university process.
9. Keep the reservation confirmation and instructions for building access.

If you have trouble with the reservation system, contact universityapartments@housing.wisc.edu or call 608-262-2522.

Rental Entry, Check-In & Cancellation Rules

University Apartments maintains specific security rules for after-hours room reservations. The published rental FAQ explains that building keys are not handed out to renters.

Before Your Event

1. Review your written room confirmation.
2. Bring a Wiscard, driver’s license, state ID or passport.
3. Ensure the resident named on the contract personally checks in.
4. Follow the instructions in the reservation confirmation for after-hours entry.
5. Use only the contracted room and any approved equipment.
6. Keep exterior doors secured; do not prop them open.
7. Complete cleanup and leave by the approved end time.

University Housing’s rental FAQ describes contacting the on-call Resident Manager around 20 minutes before a rental for building entry. Confirm the currently approved access number and process with staff when making the reservation.

Cancellation

The published rental FAQ requires cancellation at least 14 days before the event to avoid the stated non-billing/cancellation consequences. Unused spaces or reservations cancelled too late may not qualify for a refund or credit. An online cancellation is not complete until University Apartments confirms it.

Because rental policies may change, check the current FAQ and agreement for the exact refund terms before paying.

Eagle’s Wing Child Care & Education

Eagle’s Wing is a University Housing childcare and education program located within the Eagle Heights Community Center. It serves university-connected families through several age-specific options.

Eagle’s Wing emphasizes learning through play, communication, social development, creative activities and participation in a culturally diverse environment.

How to Ask About Childcare Enrollment

1. Open the official Eagle’s Wing program page.
2. Identify the child’s age and program of interest.
3. Check eligibility, hours, academic-year or full-year scheduling and available spaces.
4. Ask about tuition, waiting lists and the applicable enrollment process.
5. Complete the university’s required childcare forms and agreements.
6. Confirm the assigned classroom, start date and drop-off instructions.

Childcare has a separate enrollment process. It is not included automatically with an Eagle Heights apartment lease or a Community Center room rental.

Resident Events, Classes & Community Programs

University Apartments organizes activities to help residents connect, learn and participate in neighborhood life.

Depending on the current semester and volunteer participation, offerings may include:

• Community gatherings and family activities.
• Recreation such as basketball, soccer and volleyball.
• Yoga, Zumba and other movement programs.
• English language learning opportunities.
• After-school tutoring and educational programs.
• Seasonal celebrations and cultural activities.
• Events organized by resident managers or the University Apartments Assembly.

Example from 2026: University Housing hosted an August 24 ice cream social at the Community Center, while a September–October adapted middle-school soccer club used the facility for scheduled sessions. These examples show the type of programming offered, not currently bookable events.

How to Find Current Events

1. Open the University Apartments resident resources.
2. Review Community Events and recent University Housing announcements.
3. Check the event date, participant eligibility and room.
4. Ask whether registration or a fee is required.
5. For programming questions, email UAEvents@housing.wisc.edu.

Eagle Heights Community Gardens & Playgrounds

The Eagle Heights neighborhood includes one of the country’s longstanding university community gardens, along with playgrounds and outdoor recreational spaces.

Community Garden Plot Applications

UW–Madison’s 2026 garden announcement explained that applications are processed in order received, with specific renewal deadlines for existing gardeners.

1. Visit the official outdoor recreation and gardens page.
2. Open the Eagle Heights Gardens website linked there.
3. Check plot eligibility, fees, availability and current application deadlines.
4. Complete the required plot application.
5. Submit the application and garden fee according to the garden committee’s instructions.
6. Wait for confirmation before using an assigned plot.

Paper garden applications have also been available in the Community Center foyer, with completed paperwork submitted through the secure drop box. For current arrangements, email ehgardens@rso.wisc.edu.

Nearby Outdoor Areas

• Fenced young-child playground near the Community Center.
• Neighborhood swings, sandboxes and climbing equipment.
• Walking routes through the residential area.
• Access toward Picnic Point and Lake Mendota surroundings.

Play structures are located throughout the housing neighborhood, not all within the Community Center building. Follow residential-area rules and posted playground restrictions.

Leasing & University Apartments Resident Services

The Community Center is also an administrative hub for University Apartments residents and applicants. Staff can help with leasing questions, resident issues and campus service referrals.

Its services include:

• University Apartments leasing and housing information.
• Resident manager assistance and neighborhood concerns.
• Referrals to UW–Madison resources.
• Information on housing policies and community programs.
• Resident-related parking inquiries and vehicle registration.

Contacting the Correct Team

For urgent safety emergencies, call 911. Resident Managers are not a replacement for emergency services.

Map, Parking & Getting There

Address: 611 Eagle Heights Drive, Madison, WI 53705.

Eagle Heights is on the northwestern edge of the UW–Madison campus near University Bay Drive, Lake Mendota and the Picnic Point area.

Visitor Parking Rules

• Use designated Community Center or visitor parking spaces.
• Do not park in resident-assigned or otherwise restricted University Housing stalls.
• Additional parking may be available in Lot Z when event parking fills.
• Visitor parking is subject to University Apartments time limits and registration rules.
• Longer stays may require an approved visitor permit.
• Overnight parking at the Community Center is not permitted under the published parking policy.

The campus bicycle facilities map also identifies a bicycle air and repair station at the Eagle Heights Community Center.

Before You Visit: Quick Checklist

• Confirm whether the visit is for office assistance, a program or an approved event.
• Use the correct building and office hours.
• Ask whether your activity is limited to University Apartments residents.
• For rentals, submit the request at least two business days in advance.
• Check room availability and the $75 large-group surcharge if applicable.
• Bring photo ID for approved rental check-in.
• Review the 14-day cancellation rule and current agreement.
• Confirm childcare enrollment independently of housing eligibility.
• For garden plots, check current application deadlines.
• Use approved visitor parking rather than residential stalls.

If you are comparing Eagle Heights with conventional public gyms and recreation facilities, our Shakopee Community Center guide and Eden Prairie Community Center guide explain two separately operated Minnesota facilities with public memberships and recreation services. Neither offers the same university resident-only reservation system.

Eagle Heights Community Center: 10 FAQs

Official University Sources & Contact

• UW–Madison — Community Center Hours, Rental Fees & Booking
• University Apartments Staff & Office Contacts
• Eagle’s Wing Child Care & Education Programs
• Community Gardens & Outdoor Recreation
• University Apartments Resident & Parking Rules
• Resident Managers & Community Support
• Eagle Heights Neighborhood & Housing Information

Community Center: 611 Eagle Heights Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53705. Phone: 608-262-3407. University Apartments: universityapartments@housing.wisc.edu.

Independent visitor guide reviewed October 29, 2026. Not operated by or affiliated with UW–Madison University Housing. All building access, resident eligibility, program schedules, childcare availability, parking rules and rental terms are controlled by the university.