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Sunrise over Lake Michigan at Veterans Park

“Love Your Parks” campaign launched in Milwaukee County

July 17, 2020  |  Topics: Issues, Spotlight


Initiative intended to support equity and long-term sustainability for the Milwaukee County Parks System

Text courtesy Milwaukee County Parks

Photos by Eddee Daniel

Access to parks, trails and open spaces have become more important than ever as Milwaukee County struggles with the impacts of COVID-19, racial inequities, and decades of declining budgets. The recently launched “Love Your Parks” Campaign provides new ways for the community to help the parks they love through volunteering, donating, and sharing stories of why parks are essential to them.

Increased activity evident this spring on Oak Leaf Trail in Root River Parkway, Greenfield.
Increased activity evident this spring on Oak Leaf Trail in Root River Parkway, Greenfield.

Announced on July 3 by County Executive David Crowley, the new campaign aims to rally community support around much-needed funding for Milwaukee County’s parks.

Washington Park at sunset
Washington Park at sunset on a recent summer evening, Milwaukee.

“Parks and trails have proven themselves to be critical to life in Milwaukee County. They strengthen our community, create jobs, improve our health and provide benefits for every single resident,” Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said. “It’s essential we think boldly and find long-term solutions for funding parks, as they are vital to advancing the County’s vision that… By achieving racial equity, Milwaukee is the healthiest county in Wisconsin.”

Seven Bridges Trail at Grant Park, South Milwaukee.
Seven Bridges Trail at Grant Park, South Milwaukee.

As documented over 12 weeks in The Natural Realm, Milwaukeeans have flocked to parks and trails during the COVID pandemic to get fresh air and exercise or to relieve stress and anxiety; and while tee-sheets at golf courses are full and beer gardens are reopening, the park system is still facing a $10 million budget shortfall due to the loss of revenue from services including rentals, special event permits and visitor admissions.

A youngster sledding at Curry Park, Wauwatosa.
A youngster sledding at Curry Park, Wauwatosa.

“Taxpayers each contribute just thirty cents a year per park, so we rely on fees from services to make up the remainder of our budget,” says Guy Smith, Executive Director of Milwaukee County Parks. “This summer, the pandemic has forced us to close or delay opening of a lot of those revenue generating services. Drastic cuts to spending and seasonal staffing are having direct impacts on park maintenance.”

Brown Deer Park, Milwaukee.
Early spring in Brown Deer Park, Milwaukee.

“We’ve heard from a lot of residents who are concerned about seeing longer grass, closed facilities and fewer trash pick-ups, and they’re asking how they can help. We’re launching the “Love Your Parks” campaign to provide options for anyone who wants to volunteer, donate or simply, give their parks some love.”

Kids kayaking the lagoon in Veterans Park, Milwaukee.
Kids kayaking the lagoon in Veterans Park, Milwaukee.

Volunteer options include small group projects; becoming a ‘park steward’ at a specific park to help clean up; or becoming a ‘micro-volunteer’ – an anytime, anywhere effort to help with trash clean-up.

Milwaukee County Parks Trails Coordinator Jessica Wineberg leads a hike in Cudahy Nature Preserve, Oak Creek.
Milwaukee County Parks Trails Coordinator Jessica Wineberg leads a hike in Cudahy Nature Preserve, Oak Creek.

The Milwaukee Parks Foundation, formed last fall, is accepting donations for Parks from individuals or businesses, and a portion of the sales from four-packs of a new ParkLife beer, will also be donated to the Foundation. The honey lager, which features a limited-edition can design inspired by Grant Park, was created in collaboration with Sprecher Brewery and Beer Capital. The cans are available now in local stores, as well as parks beer gardens and golf courses.

A young couple stroll the woodland in Jackson Park, Milwaukee.
A young couple stroll the woodland in Jackson Park, Milwaukee.

“We are so excited to support the launch of the ‘Love Your Parks’ campaign today,” said Milwaukee Parks Foundation Chair, Tami Garrison. “We echo the ‘Love Your Parks’ community calls to action and are committed to fostering dynamic connections through our land and community, expanding what is possible in our neighborhoods, and engaging residents in supporting a safe and vibrant parks system that benefits all.”

Hockey practice on the lagoon in Humboldt Park, Milwaukee.
Hockey practice on the lagoon in Humboldt Park, Milwaukee.

Visitors to loveyourparksmke.com can also submit videos or stories about why parks are essential to them, get the facts about parks funding and staffing, and access a new Parks Explorer app, which includes interactive maps and information on all 158 parks in the Milwaukee County Park System. Details of the campaign, and sign up forms for volunteering, are available at www.loveyourparksmke.com.

Blossoming magnolia in Lake Park, Milwaukee.
Blossoming magnolia in Lake Park, Milwaukee.

Love Your Parks Campaign Fast Facts 

  • The Parks’ trail system laid end-to-end would stretch all the way to Green Bay!  
  • The land managed by Parks is the equivalent of 7,500 Lambeau Fields in size.  
  • At 15,000+ acres, Parks is the largest landowner in the county.  
  • The entire park system contains roughly the same amount of land as 50 Six Flags Great America’s – while a Six Flags season ticket can cost $140, an average of just $50 in property taxes per household goes to parks each year. 
  • Hundreds of small businesses, non-profits and community organizations rely on Milwaukee County Parks to operate! 
  • The Milwaukee Parks Foundation, launched last fall, is accepting donations from individuals, businesses and organizations. 
  • Details of the campaign, and sign up forms for volunteering, are available at www.loveyourparksmke.com.
Boerner Botanical Gardens, Hales Corners.
Boerner Botanical Gardens, Hales Corners.

The text of this message was provided by Milwaukee County Parks in a press release. Milwaukee County Parks is a partner organization to A Wealth of Nature. Eddee Daniel is on the board of Preserve Our Parks. The image of sunrise over Lake Michigan at the top is from Veterans Park, Milwaukee.

To see more of Eddee’s photos of Milwaukee’s parks and natural areas, go to this Flickr album.

To see Eddee’s photos of parks taken during the pandemic shutdown, go to this Flickr album.