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Southgate Playfield

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Southgate Playfield

Public Art in the Playfield

Milwaukee Recreation and Arts @ Large have partnered with an artist to work with the neighborhood on a mural for Southgate Playfield!

Southgate Artist Bio: Nova Czarnecki

Nova Czarnecki works with oil paint, creating vibrant life-sized paintings of figures in motion and merging with nature. The influence of memories, whether fleeting or of lifetimes, intertwines as flora and fauna. The flipping of past and present plays out in ponds and forests as what is above or below, inside or out, amplifying their connection.

After graduating from MIAD with a degree in Fine Art Painting, Nova continued a disciplined career as an artist in Milwaukee, exhibiting her work in various galleries, private collections, and exterior murals.

You can see samples of Nova's past murals in the slideshow here, as well as examples of her other work!

Project Description

The full playfield renovation included asphalt removal and the installation of a new natural turf playfield, shade trees, a walking loop, playground equipment, basketball hoops, and a splash play area. New and upgraded site amenities were also added, including lighting, benches, and trash receptacles.

The fieldhouse will be upgraded in 2021.

See below for the renovated playfield result at our virtual Grand Reopening! Click here for our recap story.

Southgate Playfield Mayor's Design Awards In June 2021, Milwaukee Recreation was recognized at the 24th annual Mayor's Design Awards for its work at Southgate Playfield!

The department was honored in the "Spaces and Places" category for "[finding a unique opportunity] to contribute to the character of the neighborhood by creating or enhancing streets and public spaces that engage the public, facilitate community gathering, and make the city a more beautiful and interesting place."

Southgate Playfield is discussed at the 15:15 mark of the live stream. The entire "Spaces and Places" category begins at the 12:50 mark. You can read more about all the 2021 honorees here.

Milwaukee Recreation also received a Mayor's Design Award in 2020 for its commitment to environmental sustainability at Columbia Playfield.