Fund History
Seeds: Planting the Future of Milwaukee Parks
Our parks are the heart of Milwaukee. They are places where children play, families gather, and communities come together. Through our Seeds strategy, the Milwaukee Parks Foundation invests in long-term, sustainable projects that strengthen parks, expand opportunities, and create equitable access for every neighborhood. Milwaukee Parks Foundation supports improvements across the Milwaukee County Parks system, with an intentional focus on parks that rank high on Milwaukee County Parks’ Equity Index. Seeds investments are made throughout the year directly from Milwaukee Parks Foundation to Milwaukee County Parks, with significant resident and County leadership input.
Word map of 400+ strategic plan conversations thanks to Meaningful Marks
Seeds Focus Areas
Our Seeds Focus Areas are Youth Enrichment, High-Impact Projects, and Trails & Trees, each addressing critical needs across Milwaukee County Parks. By planting these seeds today, we ensure that our parks, trails, and natural spaces thrive for generations to come. To date, MPF has invested more than $500,000 in our Seeds strategy.
Youth Enrichment
We invest in programs and facilities that give young people safe spaces to play, learn, and grow. From pools to ballfields to basketball courts, these projects help children develop skills, stay active, and build community connections.
Aquatics
Swimming saves lives, but many Milwaukee children lack access to pools, lessons, or safe swim spaces. By supporting aquatics programs and facilities, we promote water safety, equity, and a culture of swimming for all children.
Baseball
Milwaukee County Parks hosts hundreds of youth baseball and softball diamonds, yet many fields, especially in underserved neighborhoods, need upgrades. Our investments revitalize diamonds, ensuring safe, high-quality play spaces that bring communities together.
Basketball
Public basketball courts are hubs for youth and families, but decades of reduced funding have left many courts in disrepair. We restore and maintain these courts so residents can gather, play, and stay active in their neighborhoods.
High-Impact Projects
Some parks require transformative investments to address critical maintenance and inequities. Our High-Impact Projects create vibrant, safe, and accessible parks in neighborhoods that need them most.
Focus Parks
- Tiefenthaler Park – Enhancing amenities and safety to make the park welcoming for all neighbors.
- McGovern Park – Upgrades that expand recreation and green space for the community.
- Walker Square Park – Restoring infrastructure to support events, play, and daily use.
Community Centers
Investing in indoor park facilities ensures neighborhoods have safe, inclusive spaces for recreation, learning, programs, and gatherings that strengthen community bonds.
Trails & Trees
Nature in our parks supports mental health, physical activity, and environmental resilience. Our Trails & Trees initiatives restore access to natural spaces while promoting equity and sustainability.
Trails
Milwaukee County Parks maintains more than 184 miles of trails, but many need repair due to deferred maintenance. By investing in trails, we ensure residents can safely explore, walk, and enjoy nature throughout the county.
Trees
Trees provide shade, clean air, flood mitigation, and community health benefits, yet canopy coverage is shrinking, especially in underserved neighborhoods. Our tree investments advance environmental justice and ensure every resident has access to the green spaces they deserve.
All Seeds investments are made to primarily benefit parks in areas with a history of disinvestment. MPF utilizes Milwaukee County Parks Equity Index to guide our decision-making.
Project Spotlight
Community Center Fund
More than $20,000 has been invested in Milwaukee County Parks’ two community centers: Kosciuszko Community Center and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center. Investments thus far include flooring replacement, bleacher repair, and equipment purchases for boxing and karate programming.
Basketball Court Refurbishment
With over $50,000 committed, refurbishment was completed on 22 Milwaukee County Parks’ basketball courts in 2022. Click here for media coverage on the partnership. Additional investments are planned for basketball courts in 2023.
Check out this video by the Bucks
Parks System Capacity
Thanks to a $275,000 contribution from the Fund for Lake Michigan and Molson Coors, Milwaukee County Parks is positioned to hire a special projects manager and forestry coordinator. These roles will manage additional important County projects and increase tree canopy, especially in Milwaukee’s neighborhood parks.