Keeley loves to visit our parks!

Keeley and I decided that we'd start exploring our Milwaukee County Parks since we haven't had much to blog about lately and I'm still unemployed. It's finally starting to feel like spring around here and it would give us something good to do everyday.

First we'll start off by telling you a little about our park system and then in later posts we'll talk about specific parks.



The Milwaukee County Park System was founded over 100 years ago. It is an interconnected system made up of over 15,000 acres of parks, trails, and beaches. The parks are sometimes referred to as "Milwaukee's Emerald Necklace" and they have a rich history.

Many of the parks started out as neighborhood squares and private gardens. Some were purchased, donated, and expanded over the years. Frederick Law Olmsted & Co. designed some of the city's best parks including Lake, Riverside, and Washington Parks. You might recognize the name because he's most famous for designing Central Park in New York City.


At one point the the city parks and county parks were governed by separate commissions but economic problems during the Great Depression caused them to be combined. The Depression also brought about the largest period of growth and development for the park system. Roosevelt's New Deal provided huge amounts of relief labor.

First there was the CWA (Civil Works Administration) in the early 1930's. There weren't much funds available for materials so much of the labor done at this time focused on things that didn't require many materials and most of the work was all done by hand. Miles of trails and walks were created. Sprinkler systems were installed. Phone wires were taken off of poles and put into the ground to improve asthetics. Electric systems were installed. Lagoons were created. Lots of grading was done. Underbrush was cleared and trees trimmed. Thousands of feet of sewers were installed. Trees were moved and more were planted. Benches, picnic tables, row boats, and signs were built.

Next came the WPA (Works Progress Administration) in 1935-1941. Labor completed during this period included the construction of 6 concrete pools, filtration plants, and bathhouses. At Brown Deer Park, the lagoon was enlarged and a pavilion and arch bridge were constructed. An administration building, service building, and new golf club house were built at Whitnall Park. Service buildings were also constructed in Jacobus and Jackson Parks.


Also operating around this time was the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) in 1933-1938. The CCC was created "to battle erosion and the destruction of natural resources". They constructed the Honey Creek Parkway and straightened a portion of the Milwaukee River. They also built piers, jetties, beaches, lagoons, roads, bridges, walls, park shelters, dams, and more at many of the county parks.

Much of the work done during this 11 year period is still around and still being used and appreciated by park patrons today.


Over the next 70 years work continued on the Milwaukee County Parks, although at a much slower pace. Significant postwar developments include the relocation of the zoo to it's present spot, the construction of the old County Stadium, the replacement of the conservatory at Mitchell Park with The Domes, the expansion of the bike trail system, and the continued development of the lakefront including the art museum and the marina.

Photos from top to bottom are: 1 & 2 Menomonee River Parkway, 3 Jacobus Park, 4 Grant Park, 5 Runway Dog Park.