Tuesday, September 12, 2023
This summer, Milwaukee Recreation continued its mission to enrich and strengthen the community by promoting healthy lifestyles, personal development, and fun through memorable recreational and educational experiences for everyone!
Milwaukee Recreation offers a variety of free and low-cost programs throughout the year, particularly in the summer, when the warm weather generates opportunities for increased outdoor activities and the out-of-school time creates a significant need for young people and families. Summer programs and activities included youth & adult enrichment classes; sports leagues, camps, and clinics for all ages; indoor and outdoor fitness and wellness opportunities; safe spaces for young people throughout the day; opportunities to learn essential life skills, whether it is in a classroom, a pool, or behind the wheel; partnerships with local organizations to provide superior services; and further investment in our community with renovation work at our playfields.
Watch the video above to see highlights from several Milwaukee Recreation summer activities and read below for more of the department's summer successes. You can also view a full version of the Summer Successes document here.
Partnerships
Supported 41 arts and humanities partners via the Partnership for the Arts & Humanities program in providing free and significantly reduced cost programming. Activities including traditional ballet and contemporary dance, poetry, and creative writing, environmental stewardship, Afro-Latino musical traditions, and more were offered to youth in grades K-12.
Opened 39 CLCs and Safe Places in partnership with 7 Community-Based Organizations.
Programs served 3,370 youth (a 33 percent increase from 2022), June through August. Most locations were open from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Awarded the John Zussman Knothole Softball Scholarship to Rufus King baseball player Leo Biel and Reagan softball player Aniya Small. The $1,000 scholarship is funded by the Zussman family in memory of former Milwaukee Recreation employee and longtime supporter of MPS Interscholastic Athletics, John Zussman.
Provided 60 Milwaukee-area high school students with paid arts internships across 17 different local arts organizations. Interns represented 30 different high schools and 20 different zip codes.
Established a partnership with Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin to provide athletic training services at varsity athletic competitions beginning with the fall 2023 sports season. Trainers will be on the sidelines for home varsity soccer, football, basketball, wrestling, and track competitions, as well as select junior varsity competitions.
Partnered with Max Out Sports to host the 2nd annual MPS Combine at South Stadium. A total of 30 student athletes participated in drills designed to measure a variety of physical criteria including height, weight, reach, 40 yard dash time, vertical jump height, broad jump distance, and L drill (5,10,5) measurements to share with college recruiting networks.
Partnered with the Milwaukee Brewers to send 30 Unified Summer Stars athletes to a Brewers game.
Operations
Refreshed the Born Learning Trail at Enderis Playfield in partnership with employees from Deloitte. The trail now features a more immersive experience thanks to the artistic abilities of the volunteers who also added fresh coats of paint to a map of the United States trash cans, and cleared debris from the playground.
Received the Brewers Community Foundation Public Space Award in partnership with VIA CDC at the Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation (MANDIs), recognizing the transformational renovation project at Burnham Playfield. The Brewers Community Foundation Public Space Award honors the creation or use of public space that contributes significantly to the overall well-being of the community.
Completed 95 percent construction plans for Wick Playfield renovations to include new playground equipment, a splash pad, synthetic turf baseball and softball fields, updated fieldhouse with family restrooms, ADA walkways, and new circular basketball courts.
Participated in 2 community engagement sessions for Metcalfe Playfield. Over 300 residents provided feedback for the upcoming playfield renovation.
Completed tennis court resurfacing projects at Vincent and Marshall High Schools with funds from ESSER III*. Upgrades to courts at Milwaukee HS of the Arts, MSL, North Division, Rufus King, and Wedgewood will be completed this fall.
Continued construction of Stark and Carmen Playfield renovations. The updated playfields will include new playground equipment, splash pads, fieldhouse upgrades, new basketball courts, walking loops, picnic areas, lighting, landscaping, and painted play areas and will reopen for use in 2024. Carmen’s renovation also includes Milwaukee’s first tuj-lub courts, and Stark’s playfield renovation includes a new soccer field and updated tennis courts.
Completed design for the Emigh Playfield renovation. The proposed renovation will include new playground equipment, a splash pad, fieldhouse upgrades, new basketball courts, walking loops, picnic areas, lighting, landscaping, and a painted play area. Construction is planned for 2024.
Developed a reporting tool to record incidents/accidents electronically. Data collected will be used to determine baseline frequency and severity of incidents/accidents.
Replaced synthetic turf at Bradley Tech’s athletic field with funds from ESSER III*.
Outreach
Provided over 800 hours of therapeutic recreation services via the Club Rec. day camp for ages 3-21 with mild to severe cognitive disabilities.
Staffed 17 playground sites to provide free meals to Milwaukee youth in partnership with the Milwaukee Center for Independence. Over 21,700 meals were served from June 11 - Aug. 5 across all playground locations.
Served 811 youth at 21 child care camps throughout the city. Participants received nutritious meals and participated in both academic and recreational enrichment.
Hosted 4 weeklong outdoor education camps for 60 youth ages 4-12. Participants learned about wildlife, plants, and all things nature to make their summer extra interesting.
Planned 6 Traveling Adventure field trips for more than 400 playground participants to the Milwaukee County Zoo, Milwaukee Public Museum, Busy Barns Adventure Farm, the Brown Deer Pond, Big Putts mini golf and Action Territory.
Returned Mobile Units program to full capacity after the impact of COVID. The Rec ‘n Roll Mobile, Wacky Wheels Skate Van, and Video Game Van serviced area homeless shelters, local playgrounds, and community events.
Hosted the Summer Stars basketball league at North Division. A total of 20 teams (210 youth) participated. Hillside took home the 14 and under championship while Silver Spring Neighborhood Center won the 18 and under championship for the first time in 6 years.
Hosted the first ever Bubble Bash foam party for 200+ youth at 6 summer playgrounds. Each location featured 1 hour of continuous foam fun, music, smiles, and laughter.
Hosted the Late Night Basketball League for 189 participants ages 17-29 at 2 locations. This free program provides participants with competitive opportunities and access to job resources.
Provided a safe space in the evenings for 852 teens at Twilight Centers. Despite of 3 locations being closed for construction, 5 Twilight Centers were able to keep their doors open to provide open gym, swim, board games, art activities and weekly ice cream nights.
Lifetime Recreation
Provided driving instruction to 671 students in partnership with Drive USA during the 7th summer of MPS Drive.
Engaged 35 youth with the Minority Mountain Bikers, MKE Urban Trail Connections, and BIPOC riders groups from across the country for a day of riding on the John Muir trails in the Southern Kettle Moraine. Youth learned more about the sport of mountain biking and the importance of attracting more diversity to the sport.
Offered Junior Actors classes at Hawthorn Glen, introducing 57 young people to the art of acting. Youth ages 8-15 participated in theater games, joke-telling, and team talent. The classes will culminate with youth performing at this year’s Halloween Glen in October.
Launched the MPS Overnight Camp Program with support from ESSER lll* funding for 163 MPS students to attend overnight camps throughout Wisconsin. This free experience covered the cost of the camper’s stay at camp, transportation to and from camp, and any gear required to attend camp.
Celebrated 16 years of the MPS Run Back to School on Aug. 26 A total of 1,185 individuals registered for the event, and 10 schools qualified for a mini grant to support their health and wellness needs.
Offered 30, free guided walks through the MilWALKee Walking Club. More than 250 individuals stepped into a healthy way to see the sites of Milwaukee this summer.
Offered free yoga classes for all ages and abilities at Humboldt Park’s Chill on the Hill, Washington Park Wednesdays, and the South Shore Farmers Market. Participants (121) stretched their limits for this healthy activity.
Hosted a Volleyball Officials Clinic for beginner and veteran officials to learn new techniques and sharpen their skills before the upcoming season.
Engaged 135 active older adults in the fast growing sport of pickleball.
Hosted the first ever MPS Employee Wellness Sand Volleyball Tournament at Beulah Brinton Community Center, featuring 7 teams of district employees.
Partnered with the Medical College of Wisconsin to continue Total Wellness classes at Hamilton and Craig Montessori Community Centers. Participants enjoyed fitness classes, education sessions focused on healthy eating and cancer prevention, and participated in healthy cooking demos.
Offered group swim lessons to various community partners, summer camps, safe places, and community learning centers. A total of 22 groups (400+ swimmers) attended swim lessons at various pools throughout the city to learn basic water safety skills and to develop a greater appreciation for this lifetime recreation activity.
*ESSER III: Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief