Millions of visitors from in and out of the city visit them every year. The unique gathering spaces are another reflection of the city's German heritage as places to gather, enjoy music and drink beer.
City Beautiful Movement
Milwaukee's park system began as an assortment of donated public spaces and private parks charging admission. The City Beautiful Movement of the late 19th century brought a concept of urban and architecture planning, perhaps best displayed in New York's Central park and the White City of the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Both were designed by Frederick Law Olmstead whose firm designed three parks for the city of Milwaukee.
Washington Park Morphs into Milwaukee's First Zoo
At the western edge of Milwaukee, Olmstead designed West Park. The broad meadows, quiet walking paths and beautiful grottos seemed like unused real estate to some. A golf course, band shell, tennis courts and small herd of deer were added. The plain name was changed to Washington Park in 1900. More birds and animals were added, including an elephant, until a proper zoo was created.
Natural Enclosures Where Possible
This enclosure holds many different types of bears combined together, but it is a precursor of large, open exhibits for the animals favored and most zoos today. Some animals were still kept in very tight cages as the park was not originally envisioned as a zoo.
Well Preserved Lake Park
This smaller Milwaukee Olmstead designed park is most similar to his original intention. There both active recreation and passive, expansive meadows blend well together. Sitting on bluffs above Lake Michigan and bordered on just one side by residential development, it is much beloved by the local city dwellers and any visitors who discover it.
Inviting Milwaukee to the Water's Edge
Subsequent city planners did not open up the lake front below Lake Park to residential development. Beaches and open lands have instead been expanded on over the past 125 years creating a unique feature for a large city. On peaceful early mornings, you might stroll around for quite a while before seeing another person. During bustling summer afternoons, hundreds of people will enjoy the cooler lake breezes.
Scenic Views of Lake Park
Several wonderful bridges across ravines offer great views and blend in gracefully with the natural environment. The non-profit organization of "Lake Park Friends" promote the preservation and enjoyment of Lake Park for future generations.
Riverside Park on the Milwaukee River
Parks are on both sides of the Milwaukee River as it nears downtown Milwaukee. Riverside Park is connected to Lake Park via Newberry Boulevard. Again this park has both sports fields and open areas. Today, the Urban Ecology Center oversees 15 acres of woodland and prairie land to preserve the wild nature along the river's edge.
Kilbourn Park Donated by a City Founder
The area of Kilbourn Park was donated by Byron Kilbourn to be used as the grounds of a public college. Although this natural spring water feature is no longer there, the rolling hills doted with trees are much the same today. Some of the land is now used for free, public gardens.
Wonderland Amusement Park
Developed just north of the city of Milwaukee by Oscar Miller, this amusement park was envisioned as a local version of Coney Island in New York. It only existed from 1900 to 1916 but had a lot of amusements, rides and attractions all at a minimum expense for paying costumers. Today's Hubbard Park is on part of these historic grounds.
Guarding the Bay of Milwaukee
This is a better rendition of the park than the previous. The cannon seen here commemorates a boat event held after the Spanish-American War. The statue is one of Solomon Juneau. Beyond the depot and the bridge, you can just make out Maitland Field airport.
An Aviation Field on the Lake
Maitland Field near the harbor of the city of Milwaukee. The location has changed purposes over the years to a Nike Ajax missile site and now as Henry Maier Festival Park. The park hosts many of Milwaukee’s music, food and outdoor entertainment events such as Summerfest, the world’s largest music festival.
Mitchell Family's Gift to the City
Alexander Mitchell was at a time one of the wealthiest people in America. His family had a large glass conservatory attached on their estate that was admired by many citizens. Wonderful floral specimens were exhibited inside and the large artificial lake became an ice skating rink during the winter.
The Milwaukee Domes
A new horticultural conservatory was built at Mitchell park in states. The Floral Show Dome in 1964, the Tropical Dome in 1966 and the Desert Dome in 1967.
A Green Park in All Seasons
The flowers and decorations of the Floral Show Dome change several times throughout the year. A spring Easter theme is shown with tulips and a Dutch windmill. The winter usually displays a large model train set up and visitors seek to escape the cold outside temperatures.
Chudnow Museum of Yesteryear
Museum Curator:
Joel Willems
