Chairwoman Nicholson Proposal to Change Parkway in Washington Park to Olmsted Way Approved

MILWAUKEE – Today the County Board of Supervisors adopted (14-4) a resolution by Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson and Supervisor Peter Burgelis to change the name of the parkway in Washington Park to Olmsted Way.

“Frederick Law Olmsted’s impact on Milwaukee deserves to be celebrated,” said Chairwoman Nicholson. “From Lake and Riverside parks on the east side to one of my personal favorites, Washington Park, Olmsted has shaped how people have enjoyed public spaces in Milwaukee for more than 130 years and will continue to shape how we enjoy it for the next 100. I look forward to seeing his contributions celebrated through this parkway to ensure we remember this history.” 

The resolution was amended at Thursday’s meeting to also allocate funds for traffic calming modifications including a center line in the road, bike lanes, and crosswalk striping with appropriate signage for two crosswalks.

Olmsted’s legacy in Milwaukee includes designing Lake, Riverside and Washington parks, as well as Newberry Boulevard. He is famous across the world for designing New York City’s Central Park, Boston’s Emerald Necklace, and the U.S. Capitol grounds in Washington, D.C.

This year marks the 200th anniversary of Olmsted’s birth. The Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum is commemorating the occasion with its “In the Park with Olmsted: A Vision for Milwaukee” exhibit, running through September 25.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.