Wednesday, September 10, 2025
On Wednesday, Sept. 10, Milwaukee Recreation welcomed community members and local leaders to the groundbreaking ceremony for a new community center and renovated playfield in northwest Milwaukee!
This community center and playfield project includes a significant expansion and renovation of the former Browning School building located at N. 76th St. and W. Silver Spring Dr. Officials gathered to mark the beginning of construction on the 7.5-acre site, which will soon provide community members of all ages and abilities with a safe space to learn, grow, and connect.
The project is estimated for completion in early 2027. Find more renderings and concepts for the site here.
"In 2019, I was asked by then-recreation director Lynn Greb to conduct a feasibility study for our north side community center," said Andrew Rossa, interim director of Milwaukee Recreation. “The department had recently completed a needs assessment, and based on community feedback, community centers and aquatics facilities were the top two priorities for our department. This new facility will now meet both those top priorities for the community.”
Community members, internal stakeholders, and user groups contributed new ideas, features, and amenities they would like to see represented in the design plan. Based on their input, participants can look forward to a variety of planned amenities for Milwaukee Recreation’s second standalone community center site, including a gymnasium, indoor pool, multi-purpose rooms, enrichment spaces, fitness classrooms, an elevated walking track, and ADA access to all indoor/outdoor facilities. Features at the renovated playfield include community green spaces, basketball courts, tennis & pickleball courts, a pump track, walking paths, modern playground equipment, a splash pad, and shade structures.
“We know that healthy and active students are better learners, and this facility will provide year-round opportunities for our students and their families to stay engaged, stay active, and stay connected to their community, which is so important to their learning,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brenda Cassellius.
Milwaukee School Board Director Erika Siemson emphasized the importance of providing community members with safe and accessible recreational spaces. “We’re especially proud that this center will be fully ADA compliant, ensuring accessibility and belonging for every resident… Equity means every neighborhood should have a safe, welcoming space that supports wellness and opportunity, and today we are delivering on that promise.”
The start of this project marks a historic transition in Milwaukee Recreation’s service to the community. With this new facility, Milwaukee Recreation will be able to fill critical service gaps for a variety of recreation, wellness, and sports programming needs for community members of all ages and abilities.
“As an alderman here previously, I understood and saw that the further north and west you go outside of the city center, opportunities like this, they dry up,” said Mayor Cavalier Johnson. “For those of you who have had the opportunity to visit Beulah Brinton on the south side, you know how valuable a place like this is in communities. We’re bringing that same sort of energy, excitement, and investment to the northwest side of the city of Milwaukee.”
Alderman Mark Chambers Jr. echoed this sentiment when describing what a new community center and playfield will provide for residents in the surrounding community.
“For me, this is deeply personal. I know firsthand what it means to grow up here, I know the challenges, and I know the pride that we carry in our communities. As a child in Westlawn Gardens, I dreamt of spaces like this. Safe, vibrant community places where kids can learn, grow, and thrive. Today, those dreams are becoming a reality for the next generation.”
The playfield renovation at this location is also part of a larger Milwaukee Recreation project to update 52 playfields throughout the city of Milwaukee. To date, Milwaukee Recreation has completed 11 full-scale renovations, as well as a tot lot renovation at Ohio Playfield. In addition to the ongoing work at this former Browning site, Milwaukee Recreation is also currently working to renovate Emigh Playfield, Lincoln Playfield, and Metcalfe Playfield. Learn more about the playfield revitalization project here.