Neighborhood Green Spaces
ECO supports neighborhood redevelopment and increasing residents' quality of life through the ongoing maintenance and stewardship of green spaces and commercial corridors in collaboration with the community. Past projects have, with the help of community partners, reinvigorated blighted vacant lots into green community spaces and assets including pocket parks, orchards, community gardens, and an urban farm. The Neighborhood Investment Beautification Fund has also supported beautification, neighborhood branding, signage, greenscaping, trash cleanup, and art projects across Milwaukee.
Overview
ECO and partners developed 8 pocket parks and 14 orchards throughout the north side neighborhoods through the HOME GR/OWN Program. The first park created was Ezekiel Gillespie Park in Lindsay Heights, Milwaukee’s first ECO Neighborhood. It won several awards in 2015: LISC MANDI “Best Public Space,” a Mayor’s Design Award, and SXSW ECO Place By Design Competition. Many of these sites were designed and are maintained in collaboration with community partners.
Green spaces serve as hubs for community events, healthy food access, environmental education, and green job growth. Several of the green spaces also incorporate stormwater management features that help reduce the risk of flooding in the surrounding areas, like rainwater storage, porous pavers, fruit trees, and rain and native gardens. Currently, the City is focused on ensuring the sites are well-maintained and continue to act as spaces where community care and environmental stewardship can grow side-by-side. Residents interested in hosting their next community gathering at a green space should complete a Special Event Permit.
PUBLIC ARTWORK
The Wonder of Life Mural
30th St. Corridor - 2876 N. 32nd St.
Completed: 2021
The 700-square-foot mural was created by artist Tia Richardson of Cosmic Butterfly Design on a retaining wall near the railroad overpass crossing over N. Fond du Lac Ave. at W. Locust St. The piece was commissioned by the City to celebrate nature as part of a caring and prosperous community.
Our Devotion to the Ocean Mural
Villard Ave. Corridor - 5268 35th St.
Completed: 2020
The five-mural series was created through the Villard BID's Public Art Project initiative by Walkers Point Tattoo Company artist Chacho Lopez. It's part of the Environmental Conservation Wall at Carter's Christian Academy and features sea animals classified as endangered.
Greenfield Bridge Mural
Harbor District - 224 Greenfield Ave.
Completed: 2017
The bridge mural painted by artist Nova Czarnecki is the gateway to the Harbor District. The mural showcases many of the native species—birds, fish, and other wildlife—still found in the area. It also depicts a young person as hope for continued environmental imporvement for future generations.
BEAUTIFICATION, NEIGHBORHOOD BRANDING & GREENSCAPING
Galst Food Market Facade
Lindsay Heights - 1622 W. North Ave.
Completed: 2019
External improvements were made to enhance the appearance of the grocery store for patrons and residents using facade grants. This store was one of several that received funding, including Rainbow Foods, Columbia Savings and Loan, Mobil Lube, and Auto Parts.
Features:
- New signage
- Food mural
- New awning
Green Corridor
Garden District - S. 6th St.
Completed: 2011
This 3-mile stretch from Howard to College Ave. was named the Green Corridor as a bold showcase for sustainability, innovation, and beautification. The Green Corridor includes Business Improvement District #40.
Features:
- Farmers market, greenhouses
- Orchards, community gardens
- Solar flower, composting
- Bioswales, permeable pavement
Harbor View Plaza
Harbor District - 600 Greenfield Ave.
Completed: 2019
Located near the UWM School of Freshwater Sciences, the plaza is a waterfront public park in the Harbor District. The plaza is the first of a continuous network of Riverwalk and waterfront parks on the western shore of the district.
Features:
- Play structure and water feature
- Public canoe/kayak launch
- Dock
KGMB Mobile Tool Shed
Citywide - Mobile Trailer
Purchased: 2019
The Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful Mobile Tool Shed offers landscaping equipment to support neighborhood groups organizing 40+ participant community cleanups.
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE SUPPLIES
Features:
- Pickers, rakes, shovels, buckets
- Garbage bags, plastic gloves
- Various other suppplies
North Avenue Streetscaping
Lindsay Heights - North Ave. Corridor
Completed: 2019
A variety of improvements were made on North Ave. from 11th-22nd St. to improve the aesthetics of the area, improve stormwater management, and enhance the community.
Features:
- Greenscaping, bioswale
- Hanging flower baskets
- MKE Big Clean litter cans
- Facade improvements
On the Mill/Cream City Boxing
Graceland - 5132 W. Mill Rd.
Completed: 2019
Landscaping improvements were made to the parking lot to provide greenery and compliment the colorful mural on the building. The improvement won a 2022 Mayor’s Design Award for its efforts.
Features:
- Landscaping
- Vegetation
PARKS, ORCHARDS & COMMUNITY GARDENS
These spaces are currently owned by the City of Milwaukee and cared for by ECO in collaboration with community partners.
Dr. Lester Carter Jr. Park
Amani - 3076 N. 24th Pl.
Completed: 2015 | Partners: Amani United and Northwestern Mutual
Dr. Lester Carter Jr. Park was created to honor one of the longest-serving African American pharmacists in the country. He owned and operated Carter Drug Store on 24th & Burleigh St. for nearly 50 years. Dr. Carter was one of the neighborhood's most prominent community members.
Features:
- Mural and AMANI sculpture
- Community board
- Fruit trees, benches
Ezekiel Gillespie Park
Lindsay Heights - 2478 N. 14th St.
Completed: 2014 | Partner: Walnut Way
Ezekiel Gillespie was a Milwaukee freedman, shopkeeper, and founder of St. Mark's A.M.E Church. He won the right to vote for African American men in the 1860s. The park honors his legacy by making strides of its own as one of city's most sustainable parks.
Features:
- 1,000-gallon cistern (rain catchment)
- Porous pavement
- Fruit trees, rain garden
Harambee Square Orchard
Harambee - 134/138 W. Center St.
Completed: 2015 | Partner: N/A
Harambee Square Orchard is an unassuming green space tucked away in the neighborhood. A number of fruit trees line its north and eastern edges, offering a peaceful spot to stroll through or sit and relax on any given day.
Features:
- Fruit trees
- Native gardens
- Bench
Hope for Tomorrow Park
Amani - 2438 W. Meinecke
Completed: 2015 | Partner: N/A
For anyone seeking inspiration and healing, a stop by Hope for Tomorrow Park is sure to supply it. Small garden beds dot the park and a border of fruit trees and hedges create a welcoming space to reflect on and feel rejuvenated by the wonders of nature.
Features:
- Fruit trees
- Garden beds
- Seating area
SPOTLIGHT: Fondy Park
Lindsay Heights - 2210 W. Fond Du Lac Ave.
Completed: 2018 | Partner: Fondy Farmers Market
Fondy Park was created to commemorate 100 years of fresh local food access at the historic Fondy Farmers Market, an essential community gathering space. The park was designed with two major goals in mind: 1) Collecting stormwater and 2) Providing a healthy space for events and resident activity.
Thanks to the work of our dedicated community partners, Fondy Park takes significant strides to protect the health of Lake Michigan. During a major storm event, approximately 83,000 gallons of water runoff (including rain diverted from the streets!) is collected through a beautiful native prairie and stored in an underground cistern system. A six-panel, 1.8-kilowatt solar system now powers the lights in the market as well as the free public Wi-Fi. Throughout the year, the space plays host to countless community events, music acts, and seasonal activities.
- Features: Performance stage, cistern (rainwater catchment), FREE public Wi-Fi, native prairie, and solar lights
Metcalfe Park Rising
Metcalfe Park - 3411 W. Center St.
Completed: 2016 | Partner: Metcalfe Park Community Bridges
Through the Building Neighborhood Capacity Program, the park was created on a vacant lot in a major commercial corridor with UW-Milwaukee and the community. It was designed to encourage large gatherings and children's safety.
Features:
- Garden beds
- Shaded seating area, grill
- Picnic tables with built-in chess boards
Nigella Community Orchard
Harambee - 130 W. Nash St.
Completed: 2015 | Partner: N/A
Nigella Community Orchard was originally created to compliment the Nigella Community Garden located on the same site. While it may be a smaller space, it has large potential to serve as a community hub for the surrounding neighborhood.
Features:
- Rainwater harvesting
- Fruit trees
- Community gardens
- Little Free Library
Scholars Park
Sherman Park - 2577-79 N. 38th St.
Completed: 2016 | Partner: Sherman Park Community Association and The Middle Ground
Located across the street from MLK College Prep, Scholars Park’s unique spiraling pathway, murals, and greenery reminds students and residents alike to apply our minds and think creatively about our communities.
Features:
- Murals
- Garden beds
- Little Free Library
- Bench
Unity Orchard Park
Sherman Park - 2506-22 N. 38th St.
Completed: 2015 | Partner: The Middle Ground
Designed in collaboration with neighborhood residents, community organizations, and students from UW-Milwaukee and MSOE, a sense of unity sustains the space. A large mural proclaims “The time is always ripe to do right" and invites residents to reflect as they enjoy the park.
Features:
- Mural, seating areas
- Rainwater harvesting
- Garden boxes
- Fruit trees
SPOTLIGHT: Victory Over Violence Park
Harambee - 2615 N. MLK Jr. Dr.
Completed: 1990s | Partner: Historic Kind Drive Business Improvement District 8
Victory Over Violence Park honors the legacy of community leader Jeannetta Simpson-Robinson, an advocate for non-violence who founded the impactful social services organization Career Youth Development. The park serves as a healing space for survivors of violence and other traumas, as well as a community gathering hub. With the revitalization of its garden beds and addition of a new stage pad, ample opportunities to continue growing community wellness abound here.
- Features: Victory Over Violence sculpture, Jeannetta Simpson-Robinson memorial boulder, stage pad, and garden beds.
ADDITIONAL GREEN SPACES
These spaces were supported by ECO and are currently owned and cared for by other city departments or partner organizations.
Adams Park
Harambee - 3760 N. 2nd St.
Current Owners/Caretakers: Department of City Development and Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation
Cherry Street Community Orchard
Midtown -1429 N. 23rd St.
Current Owners/Caretakers: Housing Authority and Bloom MKE
All Peoples Orchard
Harambee - 2864 N. 2nd St.
Current Owners/Caretakers: Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee
Cream City Farms
Midtown - 2055-63 N. 30th St.
Current Owners/Caretakers: Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee and Dan Johnson
Growing Power Orchard
Havenwoods - 5616 W. Silver Spring Rd.
This park is not currently open for public use.
Havenwoods Orchard
Menomonee River Hills East - N. 61st St. & Green Tree Rd.
Current Owners/Caretakers: Privately owned
Hocking Orchard
Wahl Park - 4716 N. 45th St.
Current Owners/Caretakers: Privately owned
Lenox Heights Park
Lenox Heights - 6642 N. Lisbon Ave.
Current Owners/Caretakers: Department of City Development and Lenox Heights Association
MLK Jr. Peace Place Park
Harambee - 3240-44 N. MLK Jr. Dr.
Current Owners/Caretakers: Department of City Development, HeartLove Place, Department of City Development, and Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation
Sterling Orchard
Old North Milwaukee - 4669 N. 30th St.
Current Owners/Caretakers: Groundwork Milwaukee
Seeds of Hope Garden
Muskego Way - S. 18th St. & W. Mitchell St.
Current Owners/Caretakers: Iglesia Dedios Pentecostal Church
Westlawn Orchard
Silver Spring - 5411 N. 64th St.
Current Owners/Caretakers: Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee
Thank You to Our Project Partners!
- Amani United
- Blue Skies Landscaping
- Brico Foundation
- Building Neighborhood Capacity Program
- Business Improvement District #32 (Fondy)
- City of Milwaukee DPW, DCD, NIDC and CBGA
- CDBG Milwaukee
- David J. Frank Landscape Contracting, Inc.
- Dominican Center
- Ellastic Designs
- The Energy Exchange
- Greater Milwaukee Foundation
- Groundwork Milwaukee
- Growing Power
- Fondy Food Center (Fondy)
- Fund for Lake Michigan
- Halquist Stone Co. Inc.
- Mark McCollow
- McKay Nursery
- Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District
- Milwaukee School of Engineering
- Northwestern Mutual
- Outpost Natural Foods
- Partners For Places Initiative
- ReciproCITY
- Reflo
- Reinders
- Riverworks Development Corp.
- Saris
- Simon Landscaping
- STRONG Neighborhoods Plan
- TrueSkool
- UW-Milwaukee Community Design Solutions
- Walnut Way
- Whole Foods
- Zilber Family Foundation