Lake Park Friends Raises $80,000+ to replace stolen statues

Milwaukee (Sept. 17, 2025) – The non-profit organization Lake Park Friends (LPF) completed a fundraising drive last week at its annual Cirque de Lake Park event, which raised more than $80,000 to replace the stolen bronze eagles that flanked the statue of General Wolcott.

“Lake Park Friends wants to thank the many donors who are making it possible for us to restore our park’s storied history,” LPF Board President Joanne Barndt said.

The money was raised through a combination of efforts related to the Sept. 6th event, including sponsorships, a paddle-raiser appeal, silent auctions, a raffle and sales of “Park Pup” leashes.

The Brigadier General Erastus B. Wolcott Statue, which was gifted to the park by his wife, Dr. Laura Ross Wolcott, celebrated it’s 100th birthday in 2020. The accompanying eagles were stolen in the 1960s.

Event co-chairs Sara Walker and Cathy Jakicic, expressed their gratitude toward everyone who contributed to the event’s success, especially Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro and it’s staff. The Bistro has provided the food for the gala since 2008.

LAKE PARK FRIENDS is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) membership and fundraising group dedicated to preserving and maintaining Lake Park and the vision of its designer, Frederick Law Olmsted. Since its founding in 1996, the group has raised millions of private dollars to supplement Milwaukee County funding shortfalls for needed capital improvements and to provide free activities to county residents.

Through its fundraising activities, LPF funded the construction of the park’s Summer Stage, ice rink, waterfall, new ravine footbridges and major ravine improvements, restoration of the Gen. Erastus B. Wolcott monument and tree planting, among other projects. Its volunteers coordinate the planting of trees, remove invasive species, create pollinator gardens and operate the ice rink. The group also funds the free Musical Mondays and Wonderful Wednesdays summer concert series.

Lake Park is one of the county’s most-used parks and it’s the only park listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Those interested in joining LPF or learning more about the park can visit lakeparkfriends.org. Donations to LPF are tax-deductible.

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.