Healing Spaces Initiative (HSI)
The City of Milwaukee launched the Healing Space Initiative in January 2021, as a response to the isolation felt by City residents as a result of quarantine and social distancing practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the direction of the Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation, Healing Spaces Initiative helps residents build relaxing natural environments on available city-owned vacant lots while, at the same time, eliminating blighted spaces and engaging residents.
Amenities include...
● pathways ● benches ● perennial herb and flower gardens ● shade sails● solar lights ● meditation sign posts ● Little Free Libraries ● and more
NIDC Healing Space Activation Grants Available!
Recognizing the impacting of the Healing Spaces Initiative in the Community, we are pleased to announce the NIDC Healing Space Activation Grant. The purpose of Site Activation is to bring public programming to Healing Spaces.
Eligible Expenses:
- Only expenses on or after the date of NIDC grant approval will be considered eligible project expenses.
- Applicants planning to hire a subject matter expert for a project are required to submit at least two written estimates for the exact proposed work with the application, if the cost of services is more than $1,000
- Applicants must obtain permission (in writing) for larger events from NIDC
- Whenever possible applicants should use neighborhood or City of Milwaukee-based vendors
- Activations are expected to follow approved timelines
- Any changes made to activation project scope, budget or timeline must be submitted to NIDC for review and approval prior to the change occurring
- NIDC and/or City of Milwaukee support should be acknowledged on all flyers, applications, brochures and promotional materials.
- Grantees are expected to advise NIDC directly of project event related to the Space Activation projects
- Policy adherence required
Non-eligible Expenses:
- Site Activations that involve any display of political associations, religion, or derogatory references will not be supported by NIDC
- Costs to the grantee for salaries/benefits/overhead for their own staff are not eligible project costs
- Musical performances
- DJ Services
- Block parties or large-scale social events
- Other activities that do not align with the purposes intended for Healing Spaces
Healing Spaces are available to the public to enjoy and use. Locate the Healing Spaces here:
Fall Community Pop Up with OCWS
NIDC hosted a Fall Community Pop Up with the Office of Community Wellness and Safety on November 22, 2025 at Peace Park and Garden. Our Community Outreach Liaison, Angela Mitchell Reid, is shown here with two community members and long-time supporters of the Healing Spaces Initiative!
Native Plants Gardening Workshop
The Harambee ECO Neighborhood Group (supported by ECO) hosted a Native Plants Gardening Workshop in September 2025. They applied for and received a Site Activation Grant to host this event at Tranquility on the Trail.
Spring Clean-up Day
NIDC hosted a spring clean-up day in May 2025 with local high school students from Carmen Southeast at Polonia Peace Park. Ninth and tenth grade students helped weed and clear out unnecessary brush as part of Carmen Day, a day of service for their school.
Fall Community Pop Up with OCWS
NIDC hosted a Fall Community Event with the Office of Community Wellness and Safety on November 15, 2025 at Polonia Peace Park. Shown here are members of both departments and additional stakeholders, including Alderwoman Dimitrijevic.
The Breathing Space Pathways
NIDC fully redid the pathways at several Healing Spaces in October and November 2025 to ensure that they remain accessible to all community members. Pictured here is the completed pathway at The Breathing Space.
Seniors Transforming the Neighborhood Pathways
NIDC fully redid the pathways at several Healing Spaces in October and November 2025 to ensure that they remain accessible to all community members. Pictured here is the completed pathway at Seniors Transforming the Neighborhood.
HSI News
2025
- Clean Up and Community at the Art Lot Healing Space
- NIDC Awarded Grant from Bader Philanthropies
- NIDC Hosts Two Community Ourtreach Events with the Office of Community Wellness and Safety
- NIDC Completes Healing Spaces Pathways Refresh Project
- Polonia Peace Park: Gardening Day and Pergola Installation
- Polonia Peace Park Partners with Carmen Southeast High School for a Service Day on May 23rd
- NIDC Hosts Garden Leader Meetings to Activate Healing Spaces
- Historic Mitchell Street's Public Soundscape Project Will Return This Month
- Vacant Lots Becoming Public Healing Spaces
2023
- Milwaukee is transforming vacant city-owned lots into 'healing spaces' with gardens, little free libraries
- "Our Healing Spaces Initiative brings together our community, revitalizing city-owned vacant lots and transforming them."
- Milwaukee to add new 'healing spaces' at vacant lots.
- Milwaukee's looking for programs in neighborhood gardens. There's money available, too.
2022
- Looking back at 2022
- Milwaukee using city-owned lots to create healing spaces for residents.
- Planning begins for Milwaukee Healing Spaces Initiative.
2021
- HSI 2021 Recap
- TMJ4 Positively Milwaukee: Healing Spaces
- Volunteers hope to bring art, other attractions, to blighted lots in Harambee.
- Riverwest Currents: Healing Spaces
- Applications now being accepted for Healing Spaces Initiative.
- Healing Spaces Initiative: where flowers bloom, so does hope.
*Para leer en español, utilice el botón de Translate en la parte superior de esta página*
The Healing Spaces Initiative (HSI) is brought to you by the City of Milwaukee, the Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation (NIDC), and our community partners. We are grateful to everyone who has supported this project, and we look forward to continue working with our community.
Accommodation Requests
Reasonable accommodations, of an auxiliary aid or service required due to a disability, for a City of Milwaukee event will be provided upon request. Contact the City of Milwaukee ADA Coordinator, 414-286-3475 or [email protected] as soon as possible but no later than 72 hours before the scheduled event.