As summer starts to wind down, I can’t help but reflect on all the ways parks make our lives better. This season alone, I’ve enjoyed multiple outings to the Shorewood Farmer’s Market in Estabrook Park, watching the sun set from McKinley Marina, power walking through Lake Park as the sun comes up, doing yoga on the beach at Atwater Park, hiking at Kletzsch Park, meeting friends at the Estabrook Beer Garden, picnicking at Doctors Park with a group I volunteer with, strolling through Veteran’s Park, and showing off the Milwaukee skyline from South Shore Park to out of town guests. It’s safe to say that parks are my happy place!
I also love that no matter what park I’m spending time in, I see individuals and families from all backgrounds out enjoying our beautiful environment. It’s awesome that 90% of Milwaukee residents can find a park within a 10-minute walk. Parks truly bring us together.
But the more I’ve learned about our Milwaukee County Parks, the more concerned I am about the level of support they’re getting. Consider this:
- There’s a $500 million backlog of deferred maintenance. Funding for the Parks stands at $45 million, which is approximately the same level it was in 1978! If that amount had grown at the rate of inflation, it would now be $90 million.
- Milwaukee County Parks have 301 employees who manage 15,000 acres of land- the equivalent of 40 Lambeau fields each. That’s 1,000 fewer employees than we had in 1980.
These Milwaukee County gems deserve our care and stewardship. We simply can’t continue under resourcing these valuable assets. Given the numbers and the importance of this need, I want to do my part. I started by joining the marketing and communications committee and am now a proud member of the Milwaukee Parks Foundation Board. Not only is it a fun group led by a dynamic leader, but I feel like we’re making a difference. Since 2021, the Foundation has raised more than $2 million which is going to Seeds projects— bigger infrastructure improvements like new or refurbished basketball courts and lighting as well as supporting Sprouts grants to community members and groups that enhance the quality of experiences in our parks. A few of my favorites are Latino Conservation Week activities on Milwaukee’s South Side, Drums Up Guns Down where Milwaukee African Drum and Dance 414 hosted a youth camp focusing on West African drum, dance, and culture, and The Safe Zone sports and arts camps at King Park. And there are so many more to learn about here.
How you can help
There are so many ways for us regular people to make a difference. I hope you’ll join me by jumping into at least one of these fun and meaningful opportunities to help us achieve a vibrant and equitable park system for all:
- Sign up for our newsletter for the latest updates.
- Follow us on social media Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
- Take the Parks Champion pledge where you commit to support or parks either financially or with your time!