The Park People of Milwaukee County, Inc.

Beat traffic on Election Day with a free 30-minute bike ride from Bublr Bikes! No excuse - get out and vote! ✅

❤️ We're passionate about our Milwaukee County Parks and know you are, too! Share your passion for parks by becoming a member of The Park People! For as little as $40 a year, your membership will help us support volunteer Friends groups, host programs like PARKticipation and the Oak Leaf Discovery Tour, and take care of our parks through Weed-Outs and Trash-Outs. You can easily become a member today by visiting https://bit.ly/3NtQDYr.

As fall marches on, our Friends groups are working to finish up buckthorn removal in many of our Milwaukee County Parks, and they need your help! Consider volunteering on one or more of these dates:

𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭
County Grounds Park, 2 - 4 p.m.

𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮
Estabrook Park, 9 - 11 a.m.

𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟯
Lyons Park, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., meet at the pavilion

𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟵
Lincoln Park, 9 a.m. - noon
Sheridan Park, 9 a.m. - noon (A Trash-Out will also be held)

𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟲
County Grounds Park, 9 a.m. - noon

Friends of Valley Park holds Weed-Outs and Trash-Outs on Thursdays starting at 6 p.m.

Friends of Valley Park holds Weed-Outs on Tuesdays from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.

For more information about upcoming Weed-Outs, including meeting locations and contacts, visit https://bit.ly/3BagtNo.

Milwaukee County Parks-Natural Areas Program

🤓 Did you know that you can download a map of almost every park in the Milwaukee County Parks system? These maps not only tell you where a park is but also lets you know what amenities are available at that park.

Download a map of a Milwaukee County Park as one of five activities you complete through our PARKticipation program, and you could have a chance to win a disc golf set from Art Smart's Dart Mart and Juggling Emporium!

Three of the activities, walk, bike and yoga, can be completed with Milwaukee Recreation. Registration is free at mkerec.net.

The PARKticipation app to track your activities is free and can be downloaded at https://bit.ly/3N2U476.

It's going to be warm and sunny this weekend, perfect for a Pod Palooza! Join Friends of the Monarch Trail and help out future generations of monarchs!

Our October Parkives post focuses on Walker Square Park.

Walker Square is a 2.1-acre park located between South Ninth and South Tenth Streets from West Mineral to West Washington Streets. The park was originally donated to the city by Col. George Walker in 1836. Walker was an early settler south of the Milwaukee River. He came to the area in 1834 and established a trading post at what became known as Walker's Point. He was mayor of Milwaukee from 1850 to 1851 and again from 1852 to 1853. The Comfort Station in the picture to the right was added to the park in 1920.

Milwaukee County Parks is looking for your input on best ways to use investment funds recently given to Friends of Walker Square Park and other community organizations to help out with park improvements. Share your thoughts: https://bit.ly/3YfmlhB.

Share your photos of Walker Square Park with us using !

Historical excerpts from Images of America: Milwaukee County Parks by Laurie Muench Albano, published by Arcadia Publishing, Charleston, SC.

📷: Milwaukee County Historical Society

We had a wonderful time during our walk at Falk Park!

Today and every day, we are grateful for the important contributions First Nations have made to all aspects of life here in Milwaukee County and beyond. We recognize that our parklands are on traditional Potawatomi, Ho-Chunk and Menominee homelands and that the people of Wisconsin's sovereign Anishinaabe, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Oneida and Mohican nations remain vital members of our communities.

🍁 🍂 Fall is the time of year when many trees show off their true colors! 🍂 🍁

Donate a tree to your favorite Milwaukee County Park through our Park Market program and watch it put on its finest every fall! Every tree that's donated comes with a engravable commemorative tag, so you can honor a loved one or special event with your donation. Learn more: https://bit.ly/471jLhj.

🍁 Get out this Sunday before the Packer game and join us for a walk in Falk Park! The hour-long walk starts at 11 a.m. and will be led by Howard Aprill, Naturalist with Wehr Nature Center. Howard will talk about the flora and fauna that call the 265-acre Falk Park home, particularly highlighting the maple-beech forest, the finest in Milwaukee County. Please wear footwear appropriate for possible muddy trail conditions. This easy walk is free for all par

Falk Park is located at 2013 W. Rawson Ave., Oak Creek.

🍁 We look forward to seeing you among the falling leaves at Falk Park! 🍁

The Big Buckthorn Blitz continues throughout the month! These Friends groups need your help to eradicate buckthorn in their parks (times are 9 a.m. to noon unless otherwise stated):

𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟴
County Grounds, 2 - 4 p.m.

𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟵
Brown Deer, 9 a.m. start
Grant
Honey Creek Parkway, 1 - 4 p.m.
Jackson
Menomonee River Parkway (North of Currie Park-also will be holding a Trash-Out)

𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟲
County Grounds
Grant

𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟳
Honey Creek Parkway

Honey Creek Parkway also holds Weed-Outs on Tuesdays from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. Valley Park holds Weed-Outs and Trash-Outs on Thursdays starting at 6 p.m.

For meeting locations, contact information and other Weed-Out dates, visit https://bit.ly/3BagtNo.

Milwaukee County Parks-Natural Areas Program

Early in September, we mentioned that Friends of Walker Square Park and other community organizations received a $750,000 investment for park improvements. Now's your chance, particularly if you live or work in the Walker Square Park neighborhood, to share your thoughts about best ways to do this!

Help Milwaukee County Parks improve Walker Square Park by sharing your thoughts and suggestions. Your input is important to us! 🌳
Ayude a Milwaukee County Parks a mejorar Walker Square Park compartiendo sus ideas y sugerencias. ¡Su opinión es importante para nosotros! 🌳
https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/19df9558b5134a3294ee4a3af55a6ee2

Along many paths and walkways through our Milwaukee County Parks stand benches that can provide a spot to rest and observe nature. These benches can be wonderful subjects for photos this time of year, especially when they're surrounded by colorful autumn leaves.

Share your photos of benches from our Milwaukee County Parks through our free PARKticipation app! Compete at least five activities in the app for a chance to win a disc golf set from Art Smart's Dart Mart and Juggling Emporium! The set includes a driver, putter and a bag for carrying gear.

Three of the activities can be completed for free with Milwaukee Recreation. The deadline to submit activities is November 30. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3N2U476.

"The trail beckons and I must go..."

The Falk Park trail is beckoning you to come join us on Sunday, October 13, to discover all that this amazing park has to offer. Naturalist Howard Aprill from Wehr Nature Center will lead the walk through the 265-acre park that features one of the finest maple-beech forests in Milwaukee County. The hour-long walk is easy but wear footwear appropriate for possible muddy conditions. All are welcome on this free walk that starts at 11 a.m.

If you've marveled over the beauty of a pollinator garden, noticed the improvement of a park amenity or attended a special event at a Milwaukee County Park, you've probably witnessed the work of a Friends group!

Our Friends groups work tirelessly to improve and support our Milwaukee County Parks to make them available for all to enjoy. With Milwaukee County Parks continually facing budget cuts, our Friends groups have become an integral part of our parks system.

As we're nearing the end of the year, consider making a donation to a Friends group that volunteers at a park near where you live or work. Your support will help that group continue doing the great work it takes to make a park a vital part of the neighborhood it is located in.

For a list of Friends groups, visit https://bit.ly/4edRiZ4.

📷: Friends of Pulaski Park in Cudahy participate in a Weed-Out at the park, May 2024. Photo provided by Friends of Pulaski Park-Cudahy.

On Saturday, September 21, Friends of Mitchell Clarke Park held its very first community event and picnic since becoming an official Friends group! Guests were treated to good food and fun games, and had the opportunity to connect with neighbors. We are excited to welcome Friends of Mitchell Clarke Park to our Friends group family and look forward to the positive energy the group will bring to the community!

Do you live near a Milwaukee County Park that doesn't have a Friends group? It's easy to start one and host awesome events like this for the community to enjoy! Learn more about starting a Friends group: https://bit.ly/4ecs6SY.

It's more than just a Weed-Out...it's the Big Buckthorn Blitz, baby!

Once used for hedges, buckthorn is a noxious invasive plant that can quickly take over an area if left unchecked! Fall is the perfect time of year to get rid of buckthorn, making way for native plants to gain a foothold in the spring. During October, many of our Friends groups are focusing their efforts on reducing buckthorn in our Milwaukee County Parks, and they could really use your help! Here are the Friends groups holding Weed-Outs in early October to blast out buckthorn (times are 9 a.m. to noon unless otherwise stated):

Saturday, October 5
Doctors Park
Estabrook Park
Grant Park

Saturday, October 12
County Grounds Park
Grant Park
Lincoln Park
Pulaski Park-Cudahy, 9 - 11 a.m.

Honey Creek Parkway holds Weed-Outs every Tuesday from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Valley Park holds Weed-Outs every Thursday starting at 6 p.m.

For meeting locations, contact information and other Weed-Out dates, visit https://bit.ly/3BagtNo.

Milwaukee County Parks-Natural Areas Program

💫 🌙 Come out to Sheridan Park this Thursday, September 26, and spend some time looking up! Sheridan Park Friends hosts The Universe Revealed starting at 7 p.m. Local astronomer Matt Ryno will guide a tour of the night sky, pointing out celestial objects that stand out this time of year. The event is free and will take place at the Sheridan Park pavilion. Sheridan Park is located at 4800 S. Lake Dr., Cudahy. 🌟 ☄️

🎉 Congratulations to Nick Todor! He was the winner of our summer PARKticipation drawing! Nick received a $50 gift certificate to The Pasta Tree Restaurant and Wine Bar located in Milwaukee. Enjoy a night out on us, Nick! 🎉

Our fall PARKticipation program is now underway! Download our free app, complete at least five activities and you'll have a chance to win a disc golf set from Art Smart's Dart Mart and Juggling Emporium! Three of the activities can be completed for free with Milwaukee Recreation. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3N2U476.

Photo caption: From left to right, Dana Hansen, Executive Director of The Park People; Anne Stadler-Vaillancourt, Board Vice President for The Park People; Nick Todor, summer PARKticipation winner; and Steve Silverstein, Board President for The Park People. Photo by Kelly Grant Moore.

Gordon Park is the subject of this month's Parkives installment.

Gordon Park was acquired in 1907 and was located directly across the Milwaukee River from Riverside Park. During the early 1900s, these two parks were centers for river-related activities. Warm weather found the river devoted to boating and swimming. The Gordon Park pavilion, depicted here, was build in 1914.

Been to the Gordon Park pavllion lately, maybe for Gordon Park Friends Soulful Summer Music Series? Share your photos of the pavilion or other areas of Gordon Park with us using .

Historical excerpts from Images of America: Milwaukee County Parks by Laurie Muench Albano, published by Arcadia Publishing, Charleston, SC.

📷: Milwaukee County Historical Society

Get your paddle on this Saturday at Lincoln Park with Wilderness Inquiry's Canoemobile!

Last paddle of Summer 2024 !

Join us for a paddle on the river with Inquiry's Canoemobile on Saturday, Sept 21, 10am-2pm. Meet us at the boat launch on Milwaukee River Parkway with our partners Nearby Nature Milwaukee Bureau of Land Management Riverkeeper U.S. Forest Service that helps to create accessible recreation and appreciate our urban resources -- especially our beloved waterways.

Register today! http://www.wildernessinquiry.org