In the summer of 2015, students at Auer Avenue School learned important and timely community history, exploring the past of Moody Pool, just as a new Moody Park arrived. Community leaders and longtime Amani residents visited their classroom, sharing stories and memories of Moody Pool with the students, all of whom were too young to have experienced the pool while it was still open.

Throughout this project, 3rd-6th grade students at Auer Avenue School honed their skills as interviewers, writers, artists, and photographers. They even visited the construction site to watch a new park being built in their neighborhood. The students’ research and photographs were turned into a booklet, “An Invitation to Moody Park”.

The booklet was distributed at the park’s grand opening on August 20th, 2015 and can be downloaded in its entirety here.

Special thanks to: Alice Pugh, Ms. Eggson, Pepper Ray, Dennis Walton, Quan Caston, Mrs. Marchillo, Mrs. Hildebrandt, Mr. Morris, Ryan Hurley, Adam Carr, Nate Pyper, Amani United, Friends of Moody Park, Arts@Large, United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, and Milwaukee Public Schools

Participating students: Jaquan Baggett, J’shawn Bartley, Katty Bartley, Caleb Beasley, Shawn Butler, Andrea Frierson, Amari Gatlin, Lucy Howder, Keimonei Maclin, Cortrell Mitchell, Izeria Richards, Alan Simmons, Elona Sinclair, Davion Triggs, Edward Thomas, Gino Waite, Shakira Addison, James Bagget, Janiece Bagget, Sammie Butler, Antonio Gates, Darien Langford, Anthony Poindexter, Quashun King-Hardy, and Detori Martin

Program design: Nate Pyper