Preserve Our Parks Calls for Dedicated Funding to Protect Milwaukee County Parks

Milwaukee, WI — On Tuesday, September 29, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley released the County’s 2026 recommended budget. While the proposed budget outlines necessary cost savings across departments, Preserve Our Parks continues to be concerned about lost park resources. It signals a troubling trend toward disinvestment in one of Milwaukee’s greatest public assets.

Milwaukee County Parks manages more than 15,500 acres, 153 parks and parkways, 215 miles of trails, and dozens of community facilities. These spaces are not luxuries — they are essential to the health and well-being of residents of all ages, and they are what sets Milwaukee apart from other cities.

“Parks are the most used free space available to everyone, everywhere and our Oak Leaf Trail is the most attended sporting facility in our county.” — Patricia Jursik, Board President, Preserve Our Parks

Cuts to staffing, operations, and facilities may provide temporary relief for the County’s strained finances, but they come at a long-term cost: disrepair, decline, and potential blight. Once lost, these resources cannot easily be restored. We cannot afford to let that happen.

Preserve Our Parks urges County leaders and residents to embrace a long-term solution: establishing a dedicated funding source for parks through the creation of an independent Parks District. A Parks District would ensure that resources are protected from year-to-year budget pressures and that Milwaukee’s parks remain open, free, and accessible to everyone.

“Investing in parks is investing in Milwaukee’s future. Dedicated funding will allow us to protect these spaces for generations to come, so that every resident — no matter their age or zip code — can enjoy parks that are open, healthy, and thriving.” — Katie Bruner, Executive Director, Preserve Our Parks

Preserve Our Parks stands ready to work with County leaders, community partners, and residents to advance this vision and ensure that Milwaukee County’s parks continue to thrive for generations to come. We urge the County Board to establish a task force to create an independent Parks District.

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.