Milwaukee Recreation’s Wick and Modrzejewski Playfield Renovations Receive 2026 Mayor’s Design Award

Milwaukee Recreation’s Wick and Modrzejewski Playfield Renovations have each received a 2026 Mayor’s Design Award. The winners were recognized during a ceremony on Wednesday, May 20 at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Architecture and Urban Planning. Since 1997, the Mayor’s Design Awards have recognized design excellence throughout the city of Milwaukee. Projects are selected for adding value to their neighborhoods by contributing to the urban fabric and the character of their surroundings. Both playfields were recognized in the “Places and Spaces” category.

Community feedback was essential to the Wick Playfield project, helping guide the design process and respond to the needs of the surrounding neighborhoods. Wick now features modern playground equipment, new basketball courts, upgraded walking paths, comfortable plaza seating, improved lighting, synthetic turf baseball and softball diamonds, refreshed dirt softball diamonds, batting cages, and pitching bays. The site also features a splash pad to provide relief during hot summer days. In addition, the space is equipped with solar shade structures called E-Cacia Trees, designed and manufactured by Solar Forma Design.

Major renovations to Modrzejewksi Playfield began in 2024 and were also guided by extensive community feedback gathered through in-person workshops and online surveys. The project was completed in 2025 and the playfield now features modern playground equipment, a state-of-the-art splash pad, painted play zones and basketball courts, comfortable seating, shade structures, updated lighting, new walking paths and a multipurpose field, a refreshed fieldhouse, remodeled restrooms and a community room.

“We are incredibly honored to be recognized alongside so many outstanding projects across Milwaukee,” said Annie Kubes, Senior Director – Milwaukee Recreation. “From the very beginning, community members played a vital role in shaping the vision for these playfield projects. Their input was essential to creating spaces that reflect the needs and interests of the neighborhoods they serve. These investments go beyond Milwaukee Recreation and help to promote equity and inclusion in Milwaukee by ensuring all young people and families have access to safe, welcoming, and connected community spaces.”

Milwaukee Recreation is a department of Milwaukee Public Schools, established in 1911 to enrich and strengthen the community by promoting healthy lifestyles, personal development, and fun through memorable recreational and educational experiences for people of all ages and abilities. Milwaukee Recreation is recognized as an accredited agency through NRPA and CAPRA. For more information, visit mkerec.net or contact Claire McHugh (claire@mkerec.net) at (414) 475-8634 or Brian Hoffer (Brian@mkerec.net) at (414) 475-8938.

 

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.