YOUR PARKS NEED YOU

Right now you need parks, trails and open space more than ever, and right now, your parks need you too.

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Milwaukee County Parks are amazing spaces & when we ensure our parks thrive, we thrive too.

However, parks need resources too, but as they’re deemed ‘nonessential’ by the State legislature, they’re often bottom of the list when it comes to funding support.

This summer especially, our parks our struggling, and they need your help.

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From 900 to 240 Full-Time Staff

County Parks were once cared for by 900 full-time staff. Starting in the early 2000’s, parks budgets began to be cut, leading to a vast reduction in staff.

Only $1.50 a Month From Taxes

County residents contribute around $1.50 per month to Parks through taxes (which equals about $0.32 per year for every park).

Open Space Champions

Our 240 hard-working full-time staff manage around 15,000 acres of land – that’s the equivalent of maintaining 31 Lambeau Fields each.

Parks in peril.

Milwaukee County Parks has been hit hard by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in all-time staffing lows, county spending freezes, and revenue losses from the closure and delayed opening of the majority of our revenue-generating activities and facilities.
Parks is projecting a $10 million deficit in 2020, and scrambling to fill it.Milwaukee County Parks system funding has been broken for years, so going back to the way things were pre-COVID won’t provide a long-term fix. Instead, we need to build back better and find innovative, creative ways to fund our parks in the future.
This summer we’ll all experience what a summer in Milwaukee is like without many of the park services we love, and with parks in peril, we hope you will join us to ensure they don’t just survive, but thrive.

Ways You Can Help

Buy Love Your Parks Coffee

Milwaukee County Parks teamed up with Stone Creek Coffee for a special edition parks coffee! $2 from the sale of every half-pound of the limited-edition roast will go to the Milwaukee Parks Foundation. The coffee is available in Stone Creek Coffee locations and online only until August 26.

Become a Brew Hero

BREW HERO is a micro volunteering program - sign up and help do mini-trash cleanups in our Parks on your own schedule. Share photos of your work to earn rewards from our Brew Hero Partners. You, a little time multiplied by lots of people all summer long = BIG IMPACT
Get Involved

Buy ParkLife Honey Lager

Milwaukee County Parks teamed up with Sprecher Brewing Co & Beer Capital for a special edition parks brew! The refreshing honey lager, in limited edition can designs, are available at local stores & Milwaukee County golf courses and beer gardens. A portion of all proceeds will go to the Milwaukee Parks Foundation.
Where to Find It

Explore Your Parks

Add our new Parks Explorer app to your phone & start exploring every acre of your back yard! Submit photos, share parks issues and earn digital badges for the parks you visit.
Get the App
"They mean serenity. The world is still busy outside, but the county parks offer a refuge to breathe and reconnect with nature and yourself." - Brittany
"I grew up going to Wilson Park. I got married and we moved and Juneau Park, Lake Park, and Veterans Park became my places to go with friends and to run. County parks are amazing and I want my son to enjoy them as he grows up." - Jenny T
"Milwaukee county parks offer a place to "get away" from city life and enjoy a little bit of nature.  We've enjoyed the parks for 25 years and visitors can't believe the easy access we have to our beautiful lakefront.  We need to keep it beautiful for everyone to enjoy." - Janelle
"Milwaukee County Parks is one of my favorite aspects of this city. The green space in Milwaukee is a beautiful community asset. As someone who does not have a yard, I really enjoy being able to walk to a park nearby to throw a Frisbee, go for a walk, or grab a beer!" - Caitlin
"The Park system is one of the Crown Jewels of Milwaukee!!!  I do my part by supporting the golf courses regularly!  ;-))" - Bob
"For myself, Milwaukee County parks are destinations for fun and the trails the journey. The parks are where I get to make tails wag, throw some discs around, enjoy the lake, and recharge with a beer. The Oak Leaf Trail is often how I get there." - Derek
"Milwaukee County Parks are a place to enjoy, ride my bike, take my dogs for a walk, visit a beer garden.  I incorporate parks every day in some way.  My dogs and I enjoy walking the parks to get fresh air and exercise, see the wildlife, and more.  I also enjoy riding my bikes in and through the park by myself and with friends." - Tammy
"I mostly use the parks for exercise by riding mountain bikes when the trails are dry. I also build the trails as another form of exercise. The trails are my happy place to get away without having to travel far." - Thomas
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