Monday, June 17, 2024
On Thursday, June 13, Milwaukee Recreation celebrated the grand reopening of Stark Playfield alongside community members and local leaders!
The completion of Stark Playfield (4951 N. 40th St.) marks the 10th site renovated by Milwaukee Recreation in a continued effort to transform 52 playfields throughout the city. With each renovation, Milwaukee Recreation works to ensure that the communities impacted by this project receive a space that is deserving of their needs. Renovations were completed in the fall of 2023. Input from local residents played a significant role throughout the creation process.
“This is really the first significant update to this play space since it was installed in 1958,” Milwaukee Recreation director Lynn Greb said. “The part about this work that we’re most proud of is that we do it based on equity, and so we’ve gone to where the need is the greatest, and we continue improving along that path.”
The renovations to Stark Playfield included upgraded walking paths, age-appropriate playground equipment, a splash pad, shade structures, a multi-purpose field with sports lighting, and updated basketball and tennis court facilities. Many children, families, and community members were present at the grand reopening ceremony to explore all the new play space had to offer.
Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Alderwoman Andrea Pratt were also in attendance for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, both commenting on the significance and importance of providing the community with updated and accessible recreation spaces.
“Folks are clamoring for these sorts of investments in neighborhoods all across Milwaukee,” Mayor Johnson said. “And the kids in our community, this is what they deserve. This is exactly what they deserve in neighborhoods all across Milwaukee, and Milwaukee Recreation is working to make it happen.”
Alderwoman Pratt also went on to call Stark Playfield “a symbol of community, spirit, and joy,” and that “thanks to the hard work of many, we revitalized this space for future generations.”
Milwaukee Recreation operates a playgrounds program throughout the summer, with staff supervising 19 different playground sites from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on weekdays, providing enrichment activities, play opportunities, and free meals. Staff will be on site at Stark Playfield this summer to ensure safe, fun, creative activities for young people from June 20 through mid-August. Young people, ages 6-17, are encouraged to join us for this free, drop-in program to stay active and spend time with friends!
In addition to this space at Stark Playfield, Milwaukee Recreation has also transformed and reopened nine other playfields in the city of Milwaukee since 2019. On June 20, Milwaukee Recreation will also host another grand reopening ceremony at Carmen Playfield (7320 W. Carmen Ave.). Construction is currently underway at Modrzejewski Playfield and Wick Playfield. Community engagement events have also been hosted by Milwaukee Recreation at Emigh Playfield in 2022 and Metcalfe Playfield in 2023 to discuss future renovations and the design process.
Click here to discover more information about Milwaukee Recreation’s mission to dream, build, and play at 52 play spaces in Milwaukee!