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By J.O. Haselhoef, Friends of Jackson and Manitoba Parks
Large-scale, long-term technical projects tend to be complicated and difficult for the community to understand. The collaborative effort between the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) and Milwaukee County Parks, which started in 2017, is no exception.
Patrick Elliott, Project Manager for MMSD, will join Milwaukee County Parks’ Patrick Chaves to provide an overview and status update on the Kinnickinnic River/Jackson Park Project on July 14 at the Zablocki branch library. Their talk is part of a monthly series hosted by Friends of Jackson and Manitoba Parks.
The MMSD/MCP partnership will soon begin the construction phase of the south side of Jackson Park, a project that will remove a concrete channel, restore a natural riverbed, reduce flood risks, and redesign the park’s recreational and community spaces. The effort has already brought new pickleball, tennis, futsal, and soccer facilities to the 117-acre regional park — with more amenities still on the way.
Since the project’s inception, both MMSD and County Parks have sought community feedback during the design process and provided renderings and videos of the project on their websites. Meeting organizers Friends of Jackson and Manitoba Parks hope the July 14 gathering, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., will give attendees a chance to ask the presenters questions and get answers.
“MMSD and MCP have been very clear describing the park when completed in three years,” said JoAnne Baez, a Friends of Jackson and Manitoba Parks board member. “Now, neighbors want to know what our park will look like over the next 36 months. What will our community have access to in the park? Will there be street closures? Where will the Farmers Market take place? What are the plans to relocate the wildlife when the lagoon is dredged?”
MMSD is a regional government agency that provides water reclamation and flood management services for over 1 million people in 29 communities in the Greater Milwaukee Area. MMSD is known also for recycling nutrient-rich microbes resulting from the water reclamation process into Milorganite® a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer.
Milwaukee County Parks has responsibility for over 15,000 acres and 153 parks but faces an estimated $500 million maintenance backlog due to a stagnant $28–30 million operating budget and state-imposed limits on local tax revenue. The department relies heavily on user fees, the Milwaukee Parks Foundation, and volunteer “Friends Groups” to fund upkeep and smaller improvements.
Friends of Jackson and Manitoba Parks is a nonprofit organization via its fiscal agent, The Park People of Milwaukee Co., and one of the Parks Friends groups. Its mission is to empower local residents and resources to enhance Manitoba and Jackson Parks’ inclusive and sustainable spaces, ensuring they remain vibrant and accessible for generations. Its vision is to serve both immediate and long-distance park neighbors recognizing the value that these natural gems hold for all.
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