Spotlight: Milwaukee County Parks

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The Milwaukee County Park system has been a long source of pride in southeastern Wisconsin. With over 140 parks and parkways totaling nearly 15,000 acres, they offer a source of recreational enjoyment for all ages.

The park system began with the creation of The Milwaukee County Park Commission on August 20, 1907. Although the park system was already established, the new County Park Commission conceived that the park system would form a “green belt’ or series of scenic drives and parks encircling the county. Commissioners selected land for many reasons, including natural beauty, interest, fitness, recreation and for population expansion.

With over 140 parks, the list of things to do is endless. Here are a few to check out this weekend:

  • Golf Courses. There are over 15 courses to choose: for the beginners, Par 3s, to where Tiger Woods started his career, Tournament Courses at Brown Deer. You can even book your own tee time and not have to wait in line.
  • The Traveling Beer Garden. As Germans immigrated to Milwaukee in the 19th Century, they bought biergartens and Gemütlichkeit to the parks. There are three permanent beer gardens: Estabrook Park Beer Garden, The Landing at Hoyt Park and Humboldt Park Beer Garden. There is also a Traveling Beer Garden that has been traveling the parks to offer all families this opportunity.
  • Summer’s Best Free Parks Concerts. Rain or shine, these concerts are ongoing and FREE. Our favorites — Chill on the Hill and Jazz in the Park.
  • Bastille Days. Located at Cathedral Square, this four-day festival attracts over 250,000 visitors annually. This popular French festival includes live music, international marketplace, chef and wine demos, French and Cajun cuisine, entertainment and a 43-foot Eiffel Tower replica.
  • Fireside Fridays. The Wehr Nature Center offers family friendly night-time adventures, including a twilight walk through the trails, games, sing-a-longs, stories and campfire treats.
  • South Shore Frolics. One of Milwaukee’s oldest festivals, the South Shore Frolics is celebrating  65 years. Located in Bay View, there are fireworks, a 2.5-mile parade, music, classic cars, art show, fish fry, games, food and more.
  • Friday Fish Fry. Every Friday Night, you can enjoy your fish fry in the Parks.
  • Milwaukee Dragon Boat Festival. The 2nd annual Dragon Boat Festival showcases Chinese culture and traditions held at Veteran’s Park.
  • Nite Glow Golf. With a glow-in-the-dark golf ball, challenge yourself to a whole different experience. You can enjoy this as a scheduled event, or private outing.
  • Art Activities Come to the Parks. This traveling studio brings free art activities to children throughout the summer at the parks.
  • FootGolf. A cross between soccer and golf, the objective of the game is to advance the ball from the tee box into the hole in the fewest number of kicks. Even better, Milwaukee County’s courses are accredited by the American FootGolf League.
  • The Champions 2-Person Scramble. Enjoy 18 holes of fun and compete for a chance to win prizes and fame, for golfers ages 50 and up.
  • Swim. With over four Aquatic Centers, nine outdoor pool locations, seven splash pads and 31 wading pools, the Parks offer many different ways to help you cool off this summer.
  • Farmer’s Markets. With over six different markets open, the Parks offer you produce from fresh Wisconsin farms.
  • Summer Movie Nights. With three parks participating, enjoy a free family-friendly movie in the park.
  • Boerner Botanical Gardens. An internationally renowned horticultural showplace in the Parks, the Botanical Gardens offers gardeners, plant lovers and families the opportunity to take in the colors and scents of a variety of collections.
  • The Lakefront. With Veteran’s Park, McKinley Beach and Park, Bradford Beach and North Point, there’s so much to do at the Lakefront. Fishing charters, sailing charters, biking, segway tours, paddleboats, paddle boards, swimming, food and beverage concessions, volleyball nets and tournaments, there’s fun for the whole family.
  • Mitchell Park Domes. With a Desert Dome, a Tropical Dome and a Floral Show Dome, there’s lots of family fun to have exploring nature at the Domes.
  • Dog Exercise Parks. With different sized parks for different sized dogs, there’s lots of room for your four-legged friend to enjoy the open space and beauty of the parks.

For more information on the Milwaukee County Parks and all they have to offer, click here.

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