Cheers to our Parks | Milwaukee Parks Foundation

Continue The Momentum

Cheers to Our Parks is back with even bigger goals and deeper community impact! After our campaign launch in 2024 surpassed our two-year goal in just six months, Molson Coors, in partnership with Milwaukee Parks Foundation and Milwaukee County Parks, has officially launched a new goal of $1.25 million.

Thanks to a generous challenge from The Helmerich Trust, every dollar counts more than ever. When the community raises $100,000, the Trust will unlock a $100,000 matching gift, bringing us $200,000 closer to our $1.25 million goal. Your support, big or small, helps bring this vision to life.

Take the Park Champion Pledge

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2024-2025 Impact Report

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Cheers to making a difference!

Funds from Cheers to Our Parks have enabled Milwaukee Parks Foundation to support projects such as a basketball court renovation, trail improvements, tree planting, additional picnic tables, programming, and activation throughout Milwaukee County Parks. We will continue to put your generosity to work with many park improvement projects on the horizon. Interested in continuing the momentum?

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We have secured $848,551 of our $1.25 million goal!

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significant investment in parks

Since the launch of the Cheers to our Parks campaign, partners have raised more than $772,697 for parks.

This includes support from 12 major donors who have contributed $701,250 plus gifts from a broad base of 259 supporters, many of whom are new givers to MPF. Thanks to Cheers, support for MPF has grown broadly while also deepening with our core partners.

To date, funds have been invested in both park infrastructure projects and vital park programming.

TiefenthalerPark - PHOTO COURTESY ISAAC ROWLETT

$150,000 invested in two pocket play areas in Tiefenthaler Park

including an exercise zone and a musical instrument area for families and individuals. This project will break ground in 2026.

$15,000 in bleachers and beautification

surrounding newly renovated Meaux Park basketball courts

$25,000 invested in tree planting system-wide

supporting MCP’s ability to plant more than 3,000 trees across 2024-25.

$45,000 in trail maintenance and improvements

focused in McGovern Park, but also throughout our park system

$60,000 in funds to support vital programming, including:

Support for a music in the park series in Walker Square Park

Funds to support community-led activation and programming in Tiefenthaler Park through the “Bring Back the Village” initiative

Additional community-centered park programming such as the summer sound bath series, walk in the park, outdoorsy triathlon, aquatics/pool event support, and other engagement initiatives.

THE NUMBERS

$500M

Deferred maintenance needs across the Milwaukee County Parks system in 2022.

Milwaukee County Parks had a backlog of deferred maintenance projects that would collectively cost $500 million.

1,060

Fewer full-time employees today than 1980

In the early ’80s, the Milwaukee County Parks were cared for by 1,300 full-time employees, but decades of budget cuts have led to a vast reduction in staff – now just 301 full-time team members.

$2.00

Monthly tax per Milwaukee County resident this year funding the parks

Milwaukee County residents contribute an average of $2.00 per month in taxes to support the parks. That $24.00 per resident each year equates to about $0.15 per year per park.

15,257

Acres of land owned by parks.

Our 301 hard-working, full-time staff manage over 15,000 acres of land – that’s the equivalent of each staff member maintaining over 40 Lambeau Fields on their own.

BECOMING A PARK CHAMPION

Continue your support of Cheers to Our Park by becoming a park champion. By taking the pledge, you are directly contributing to the ongoing care and enhancement of our beloved Milwaukee County Parks System, ensuring they remain accessible and enjoyable for all.