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A Walk in the Park III: Living Stories

July 9, 2025  |  Topics: Events, Places

By Danielle Pahlisch

Introduction and photography by Eddee Daniel

Introduction

“A Walk in the Park” is a monthly program sponsored by the Milwaukee Parks Foundation and Milwaukee County Parks Department. Its mission is straightforward: Bring people together in a different park each month to enjoy a communal walk and celebrate the diversity that is inherent in the park system. This is the third installment in a series of posts that showcases the program and the parks. The selected images are presented in chronological order, beginning with December, 2024.

~ Eddee Daniel

Living Stories

By Danielle Pahlisch

‘Living fully in community’ is a phrase that has echoed in my mind since the turn of the new year, a mantra that inspires greater intention and reciprocity. In our present, connection is paradoxical: we are often linked via vibrant screens at a frantic pace, yet divided by algorithms and endless scrolling. Instead, I aimed to immerse myself more deeply in shared spaces that draw our attention and love and that ask for nothing in return but the chance to love them back. This is the spirit of the “A Walk in the Park” program, organized by the Milwaukee Parks Foundation in collaboration with Milwaukee County Parks.

Milwaukee’s complex and nuanced history—both human and ecological—serves as a central theme in these walks and is essential for understanding our past and shaping the future of these spaces. In downtown’s core, history leads our group along narrow, well-worn paths of earth, shaped over decades by the lively pace of city life. We feel the cool stone remnants of a mental health facility, slowly crumbling beneath an ancient woodland, even as the spirit of mental well-being endures through bird nest-box stewardship and community-based habitat restoration. Whether exploring dense green woodlands or reimagining beaches and small parks in transition, each gathering allows us to absorb the rich histories and vibrant cultures of these spaces. The founders of our County Parks system recognized the inherent value of natural and recreational green spaces and prioritized their access. To enjoy these sacred places is to honor that vision; their exploration is our generational legacy. To preserve them is our stoic responsibility.

With every step, I experience our County Parks not as static landscapes, but as living stories that are woven from the threads of Milwaukee’s uniquely diverse heritage. Our parks are more than places for recreation; they ask us to remember, imagine, and grow. They are where the past breathes beneath our feet, the present pulses in our conversations, and the future waits to be shaped by the care we choose to give to them, and to each other.

Photo Essay

North Point Lighthouse and one of the lions that grace the ends of the ravine bridges in Lake Park, which was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.
North Point Lighthouse and one of the lions that grace the ends of the ravine bridges in Lake Park, which was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.
At one point "A Walk in the Park" became a walk in the ravine at Lake Park.
At one point “A Walk in the Park” became a walk in the ravine at Lake Park.
A surprisingly large group participated at Harley Park on a cold, overcast and snowless day in January.
A surprisingly large group participated at Harley Park on a cold, overcast and snow-less day in January.
Recently renamed, Harley County Park is located next to a new private park...
Recently renamed, Harley County Park is located next to a new private park…
Davidson Park is owned by Harley Davidson, which can be seen behind the plaza.
Davidson Park is owned by Harley Davidson, which can be seen behind the plaza.
Davidson Park was decorated for the holidays with giant lighted reindeer.
Davidson Park was decorated for the holidays with giant lighted reindeer.
The February walk began in Red Arrow Park, then crossed the Milwaukee River to Pere Marquette Park.
The February walk began in Red Arrow Park, then crossed the Milwaukee River to Pere Marquette Park.
A record 37 people participated in the April walk in Falk Park!
The large group included a number of children, who amused themselves and watching adults by walking on every log they could get to.
The large group included a number of children, who amused themselves and watching adults by walking on every log they could get to.
Sanctuary Woods in County Grounds Park was featured in May. These are the ruins of the Men's Pavilion that once rose from this foundation.
Sanctuary Woods in County Grounds Park was featured in May. These are the ruins of the Men’s Pavilion that once rose from this foundation.
The Women’s Ravine, along with the Men’s Pavilion, were among the amenities associated with the long-gone Milwaukee County Hospital for the Insane, which was located nearby on the Milwaukee County Grounds.
This group portrait at South Shore Park features the enormous stump of what was formerly the Champion Copper Beech tree, the largest of its species in Wisconsin.
This group portrait at South Shore Park features the enormous stump of what was formerly the Champion Copper Beech tree, the largest of its species in Wisconsin.
"A Walk in the Park" became a walk on the pier at the South Shore Yacht Club, which is adjacent to the park.
“A Walk in the Park” became a walk on the pier at the South Shore Yacht Club, which is adjacent to the park.
This section of Meaux Park is contiguous with Lincoln Park.
This section of Meaux Park is contiguous with Lincoln Park.
The Oak Leaf Trail runs through Meaux, which follows Lincoln Creek. It connects with the Lincoln Creek Parkway, which is in the midst of a road-to-trail conversion to make the Oak Leaf Trail a longer off-road experience.
The Oak Leaf Trail runs through Meaux, which follows Lincoln Creek. It connects with the Lincoln Creek Parkway, which is in the midst of a road-to-trail conversion to make the Oak Leaf Trail a longer off-road experience.

A Walk in the Park is held on the first Friday of each month. The next walk, on Aug 1, will be at Washington Park. Follow the Milwaukee Parks Foundation on Facebook for the details of where to meet.

Here is the schedule for 2025.

Note: The first A Walk in the Park took place in 2023. This is the third installment in The Natural Realm that features the program. To read the other installments, click here.

Photographer’s note: I’ve taken many more photos of the parks featured in these stories than could fit into the blog posts. You can see additional selections and get a broader sense of how beautiful these parks are by going to my Flickr album. Also, two of the parks have their own Find-a-Park pages on our website. The links in the captions will take you there. ~ Eddee

Related stories:

Photo essay: 3K walk in Sherman Park kicks off Healthy County Challenge

Accessibility is front and center for the Wehr Nature Center Healthy County Challenge!

Mangan Woods: A surprising hidden gem shaped by the glaciers!

An Apple Orchard is Thriving in McGovern Park!

The featured photo at the top is from the walk in Lake Park. For anyone who noticed that there is no photo from March, I was unable to attend. It was held in Lyons Park.

Danielle Pahlisch is a Community Engagement Coordinator for Milwaukee County Parks. Eddee Daniel is a board member of Preserve Our Parks. The Milwaukee County Parks Department is a project partner of A Wealth of Nature.

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