Historian John Gurda Traces Parks’ Growth This Tuesday Evening

Milwaukee County has one of the largest urban park systems in the country with 15,000 acres of public green space. But Milwaukee historian John Gurda says it wasn’t always that way.

Gurda will chronicle the evolution of Milwaukee’s park system from the days of tiny public squares and private beer gardens to the network of more than 150 parks including miles of Lake Michigan coastline, Wisconsin’s longest paved trail network, the historic Mitchell Parks Domes, and Boerner Botanical Gardens on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at Humboldt Park in Bay View.

Gurda’s “Green Milwaukee: A History of Our Parks and Open Spaces” presentation begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Humboldt Park Pavilion, at the corner of Park Road and E. Idaho Street. The 90-minute program is free, but reservations are required because seating is limited. Register at https://evite.me/HumboldtinHarmonySpeakerSeries. Attendees are asked to bring canned food items for the Bay View Community Center.

This is the second of five Humboldt in Harmony events presented by the nonprofit Humboldt Park Friends (HPF). The Humboldt in Harmony speaker series brings passionate speakers, experts, and community members to explore the intricate connections between our natural environment and daily lives. This series emphasizes the importance of preserving the diverse ecosystems that thrive in Humboldt Park and beyond. Each session delves into topics ranging from sustainable practices to the role of community engagement in conservation efforts. Upcoming programs are:

Tuesday, February 11  6:30 – 8 p.m.
From Rain to Resource – Protecting Lake Michigan is about more than keeping the lake clean. Learn about the complex ecosystem of water management and how the design of our communities plays a critical role in the protection of Lake Michigan.

Tuesday, March 11  6:30 – 8 p.m.
Master your Garden – Southeast Wisconsin Master Gardeners will share tips on planning, growing, and maintaining a natural urban garden in your backyard. Learn how native plants can become part of your yard, helping build curb appeal and a conversation starter.

Tuesday, May 13   6 – 8 p.m.
Schlitz Audubon’s Raptor Ambassador Program – Schlitz Audubon’s Raptor Ambassador Program brings you face-to-face with some of Bay View’s most iconic birds of prey. From the Bald Eagle to the Great Horned Owl, learn what makes each of these creatures a unique and important part of our ecosystem. Schlitz’s raptors, who are cared for in captivity because they cannot be released back into the wild, have amazing stories to tell and will leave an impression on people of all ages.

About Humboldt Park
Originally named South Park, Humboldt Park was one of six parks created when the City of Milwaukee established a Parks Commission in 1890. The original 45-acre park opened in 1891 and a picturesque lagoon was created two years later.  In 1900, the park was renamed Humboldt Park in honor of Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander von Humboldt, a Prussian geographer and naturalist who did extensive work on botanical geography. Humboldt Park continues to be a center point of the Bay View neighborhood providing a wealth of events and accessible nature within an urban park setting.

About Humboldt Park Friends
Humboldt Park Friends is a non-profit organization through its membership with the Park People of Milwaukee, serving as a liaison between the Milwaukee County Parks Department and the community. Established in 1997 by Ruth Simos, Humboldt Park Friends operates under the Park People and is governed by its own elected board. Learn more at http://www.humboldtparkmilwaukee.org.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.