Milwaukee Recreation provides free community wellness programs for ages 18 and up throughout the year! Activities are available to all community members throughout the city of Milwaukee. See below for a list of available summer programs.
Registration for activities in the Summer Recreation Guide begins on May 8 at 10 a.m. for city of Milwaukee residents and May 15 at 10 a.m. for non-residents.
MilWALKee Walking Club
Join our walking club and explore Milwaukee with us! Each week you will start at a local park or coffee shop, walk the roughly 3 miles, and end back at the same spot. The MilWALKee Walking Club meets on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from June 17 - Aug. 21. Participants must register for individual sessions. Programs are available for ages 18 and up.
Sign up for each walk on our online registration portal here! Sign up for your preferred day of the week (participants do not need to come to each date). Click here to find the full summer site list.
Indoor Yoga
Release the stress in your life with the calming ritual of yoga. Yoga is a lifestyle incorporating natural exercise, diet, proper breathing, relaxation, and meditation. Wear comfortable clothing. Individuals with medical conditions should be cleared by a physician prior to participation. Programs are available for ages 18 and up.
Sign up for this free class on our online registration portal here!
- Fridays, June 27 - Aug. 15: Beulah Brinton (10:45-11:30 a.m.)
Fitness in the Park Yoga
Practicing yoga outdoors provides a series of benefits, including increasing body awareness, strength, and flexibility, while furthering your connection with nature. Join us for an outdoor yoga class that will take you through a series of poses and breath work. Bring your own exercise mat and water.
Sign up for these free classes on our online registration portal here!
- Tuesdays, June 17 - Aug. 19: Tiefenthaler Park (10-11 a.m.)
- Tuesdays, June 17 - Aug. 23: Hawthorn Glen (5:15-6 p.m.)
- Thursdays, June 26 - Aug. 7: Burnham Playfield (7:30-8:15 p.m.)
- Thursdays, July 17 - Aug. 21: Riverside Park (5-6 p.m.)
- Saturdays, June 21 - Aug. 23: Cupertino Park (11 a.m. - 12 p.m.)
- Saturdays, June 28, July 12, July 26, Aug. 9, Aug. 23: Hawthorn Glen (10-11 a.m., except 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Aug. 9)
Fitness in the Park Bootcamp
Join us for a fun and high energy outdoor boot camp to challenge your entire body! Each class will include strength, cardio and stretching exercises to give you a total body workout. Class is geared towards all fitness levels - beginners welcome! Please bring an exercise mat and water.
Sign up for these free classes on our online registration portal here!
- Tuesdays, June 24 - July 29: Burnham Playfield (7:30-8:15 p.m.)
MilWALKee - Indoor Edition
Join the Lindsay Heights neighborhood for an indoor walk in the basement at North Division! Work up a sweat walking while meeting new people. Each week walk up to one hour in the hallways in a group setting. Attendance at every walk is not required. Please wear appropriate shoes for an indoor walk.
Sign up for this free class on our online registration portal here!
- Mondays & Wednesdays, June 16 - Aug. 6 (6-7 p.m.)
Functional Strength Training
Functional fitness is a type of strength training that prepares your body for daily activities. These exercises equip you for important types of physical fitness, the kind that prepares you for real life like bending, twisting, lifting, pushing, pulling and squatting.
Sign up on our online registration portal here.
- Tuesdays, June 24 - Aug. 12: Beulah Brinton (8:30-9:30 a.m.)
- Thursdays, June 26 - Aug. 14: Beulah Brinton (8:30-9:30 a.m.)
Summer Stretch
Join us outdoors this summer and experience the many benefits of stretching! Class will consist of a series of static and dynamic stretches for the entire body paired with mindful breathing. Stretching has multiple benefits including increased flexibility and balance along with reducing join and muscle pain making everyday tasks easier. Come relax with us this summer! Bring your own exercise mat and water.
Sign up on our online registration portal here.
- Wednesdays, June 18 - Aug. 20: Beulah Brinton (10-11 a.m.)
Community Bike Rides
Sign up for any of our different bike ride options throughout the summer below.
Nordic Walking for Beginners
Nordic Walking uses specially designed poles to enhance your natural walking experience. With a technique that is a cross between cross-country skiing and power walking, Nordic Walking is an efficient total body cardiovascular exercise that can be enjoyed by all ages & fitness levels. Class is geared towards beginners and poles will be provided.
Sign up for these free walks on our online registration portal here.
- Saturdays, June 21 - Aug. 23: Urban Ecology Riverside Park (9:30-10:30 a.m.)
- Sundays, June 22 - Aug. 24: South Shore Park (8:30-9:30 a.m.)
Sunrise Meditation on the Lake
Join us for some relaxing guided meditation and mindful breathing exercises while enjoying the early morning sunrise over Lake Michigan. Please bring your own yoga mat and water.
Sign up on our online registration portal here.
- Thursdays, June 26 - Aug. 21: Cupertino Park (7:30-8 a.m.)
- Fridays, June 20 - Aug. 22: Cupertino Park (8:30-9 a.m.)
Sunrise Yoga on the Lake
Join us for an outdoor yoga class that will take you through a series of poses and breath work while enjoying the early morning sunrise over Lake Michigan. Please bring your own yoga mat and water.
Sign up on our online registration portal here.
- Thursdays, June 26 - Aug. 21: Cupertino Park (8-8:45 a.m.)
- Fridays, June 20 - Aug. 22: Cupertino Park (9-9:45 a.m.)
Health is Wealth: Cancer Survivorship Program
This program focuses on healthy eating and active living for cancer survivors and their caregivers. Our goal is to teach ways to live a healthy lifestyle to individuals and families with culturally tailored community education about the link between healthy eating and active living to reduce cancer risk. Class meets twice a week and consists of nutrition & healthy lifestyle education, healthy cooking demos, and physical activity.
Sign up on our online registration portal here.
- Mondays & Wednesdays, June 2 - July 9: Marshall (6-8 p.m.)
- Mondays & Wednesdays, June 16 - July 30: OASIS (6-8 p.m.)
Summer Sound Bath
Led by a skilled sound healer, you will be guided through a journey of sounds with melodic instruments. This class offers a transformative experience leaving you feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and radiant. Bring something to lie on as this unique experience combines the healing power of sound with the tranquil ambiance of nature.
Sign up for this free class on our online registration portal here!
- Mondays, June 16 - Aug. 4: North Division (5:30-6:15 p.m.)
- Tuesdays, June 17 - Aug. 5: Hawthorn Glen (6:15-6:45 p.m.)
- Wednesdays, June 18 - Aug. 6: Washington (5:30-6:15 p.m.)
Morning Flow & Meditation
Experience serenity at our outdoor yoga class. Awaken with gentle flows beneath the rising run, surrounded by nature’s embrace. Followed by a tranquil meditation, find inner peace amidst the calming sounds of the outdoors. Practice led by trained yoga instructors from Ripple Effect Wellness.
Sign up for this free class on our online registration portal here!
- Thursdays, June 20 - Aug. 15: Hawthorn Glen (8-8:45 a.m.)
Fitness in the Park Zumba
Join us for a Zumba class in the park! Zumba is a fun and easy way to workout with routines that feature easy-to-follow dance steps synched to Latin music helping you tone and sculpt your body. Class is geared towards all fitness levels, ages, and suitable for beginners.
Sign up for this free class on our online registration portal here!
- Tuesdays, June 24 - July 29: Burnham Playfield (6:30-7:20 p.m.)
- Thursdays, June 26 - Aug. 7: Burnham Playfield (6:30-7:20 p.m.)
Forest Breathing
Self regulate with the power of the breath while enjoying the benefits of being submersed in the forest. We'll practice controlling the breath to ground our minds and body to harmonize with nature.
Sign up for this free class on our online registration portal here!
- Thursdays, June 12 - July 10: Hawthorn Glen (12-1 p.m.)
- Thursdays, July 24 - Aug. 14: Hawthorn Glen (12-1 p.m.)
Breastfeeding Preparedness
Led by Mood Lactation Partners, this crash course is designed to help expectant parents prepare for a successful breastfeeding journey. Gain essential knowledge, practical tips, and expert guidance to confidently start and maintain breastfeeding.
Sign up for this free class on our online registration portal here!
- Fridays, July 18 or Aug. 22: OASIS (12:30-2 p.m.)
- Mondays, June 16 or Aug. 4: Washington (5:30-7 p.m.)
Self-Rewilding
The natural world feeds our souls, enriches our senses, and teaches us essential skills: stillness, presence, open-heartedness. Re-wild yourself with this class that offers vivid images and poignant stories to map a path to a deeper relationship with the living world to enhance your well being.
Sign up for this free class on our online registration portal here!
- Saturdays, June 28, July 26, or Aug. 23: Riverside Park (9:30-11 a.m.)
Guided Meditation for Kids
This class offers a safe and nurturing environment, where children can explore mindfulness and relaxation, through age-appropriate meditation practices. A sense of inner calm will be cultivated, enhancing overall wellbeing, that will benefit your child both now and in the future.
Sign up for this free class on our online registration portal here!
- Wednesdays, June 18 - July 16: Hawthorn Glen (4-5 p.m.)
Women's Wellness Warriors
This Women's Self Defense Class offers a comprehensive course that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and risk avoidance, while progressing on to the basics of hands-on defense training. The instructor will help you prepare yourself, have a plan, and build confidence throughout this series!
Sign up for this free class on our online registration portal here!
- Saturdays, June 21 - Aug. 9: MacDowell (2-3 p.m.)
Juicing for Joy
Juicing is a process used to extract the liquid from raw fruits and vegetables. In this immersive workshop we'll go over many of the amazing benefits of juicing. You'll leave with basic knowledge on how to get started creating vibrant, colorful, and nutrient packed juices all on your own!
Sign up for this free class on our online registration portal here!
- Saturdays, June 28 or Aug. 2: Hamilton (2-4 p.m.)
E.P.U.'s Public Safety Empowering Parents
This class teaches public safety, emotional intelligence and situational awareness to equip parents with the knowledge and skills to educate their children on public safety, stranger awareness, and personal safety habits- Participants will leave empowered to create a family safety plan.
Sign up for this free class on our online registration portal here!
- Saturdays, June 21 - Aug. 9: Hamilton (12:45-1:45 p.m.)
Motown Moves
Motown Moves is a dynamic recreation program designed for Motown music lovers to activate their wellness through movement. Groove to classic Motown hits while improving fitness and having fun in a supportive, community-focused environment. All levels welcome!
Sign up for this free class on our online registration portal here!
- Mondays, June 9 - July 28: Hamilton (5:30-6:30 p.m.)
Sacred Circle
Join us in building community where we hold space to express, connect, reflect and “just be." Together we’ll explore varying discussion topics in a safe environment. bring your personal items of comfort (yoga mat, blanket, pillow) and we’ll bring light refreshments.
Sign up for this free class on our online registration portal here!
- Saturdays, July 26, Aug. 9, or Aug. 23: Tiefenthaler Park (1-2 p.m.)
Demo: Farm-to-Table Favorites
In this four-week cooking class demo, Chef T’yannah will blend the best of both worlds, seasonal farm to table goodness with a soulful spin! Real soul food starts with the land and ends with a plate full of love. Come cook, taste and elevate tradition with us.
Sign up for this free class on our online registration portal here!
- Tuesdays, July 8-29: OASIS (2-3:30 p.m.)
Demo: Backyard BBQ Classics
In this 4-week cooking class demo, Chef T’yannah will offer backyard BBQ classics with a twist! Explore a demo of soulful backyard BBQ sides. Real soul food starts with the land and ends with a plate full of love. Come cook, taste, and elevate tradition with us.
Sign up for this free class on our online registration portal here!
- Tuesdays, Aug. 5-26: OASIS (2-3:30 p.m.)