Milwaukee’s Central Park

When considering Milwaukee…

…, it is hard to imagine anything but

an Urban enviornment…

Yet the framework of the city is based on

three natural landmarks:

1. Milwaukee River2. Menomonee River2. Kinnickinnic River

These waterways are what attracted settlers back in the 1800’s to the Milwaukee area.

Although originally meant for commerce and trade purposes…

Although originally meant for commerce and trade purposes…the aesthetic appeal rose with one man’s design.

The Milwaukee river area’s park system was drawn up by...

None other than Fredrick Olmstead,

None other than Fredrick Olmstead, the

designer of Central Park In NY.

The Milwaukee River corridor is a natural

oasis in the midst of a highly urban

community, just like the one in the big

apple…

...So one would think, this could have the

potential to be Milwaukee’s “Central

Park”

Yet the population seems unaware of this natural wonder

we have.

As nice as this area is, it still is not at its full

potential.

The litter in the area can be reduced and not all of the pathways are that accessible

The River Revitalization

Foundation is more aware of these problems than

anyone.

Their aim is to not only address these

problems but also to conserve the

environment and further the greenway

concept.

The RRF is approaching these things in six particular ways:

1. Ensuring public access

2. Preservation of the River Valley

3. Preservation of a natural area in a dense urban area.

4. Ensure that new development does not threaten the river area.

5. Create links with neighborhoods on both sides of the river.

6. Conservation of habitat and wildlife areas.

Once these are in place, hopefully they will have recreated the urban landscape, for the better.

In order for the RRF’s plan to take action,

both sides of the river will have to take part.

Both the wealthier and poorer

neighborhoods will be apart of the

reconstruction.

Reforming the river valley may actually

bridge the gap between the varying neighborhoods and

inequalities.

Cultivating the landscape, planting trees, or the work of

the service learning in general; is more about

getting people educated on the

subject-spreading the word.

Hopefully the work we are doing with the RRF will not only have an impact locally, but spread to communities farther up the river, and then to other parts of the state, and then at a national and global scale.

If surrounding communities can

follow our example, it would make it that

much easier to start comparing our work to

a larger scale.

By: Ryan BenderRiver Revitalization

FoundationGeog 125