From Milwaukee’s Night Market to a New Mission: More Play. More Connection
Kids need someone to play with. Parents need someone to call.
MILWAUKEE — Jeremy Fojut, former NEWaukee co-founder and an original creator of Milwaukee’s Night Market, is bringing his experience connecting a city to a new mission: helping children and parents build relationships through play.
A full calendar isn’t the same as a connected family.
Play Date is a hosted family community. A visible welcome, introductions, shared playful challenges and recurring gatherings make the first hello easier and give families reasons to meet again. The ambition is more play, healthier experiences and less isolation—not simply another activity on the calendar. These are intended outcomes, not measured impact claims.
The need for active childhoods is clear. In CDC’s 2023 national survey, just 24.6% of U.S. high school students reported being physically active for at least 60 minutes on every day of the preceding week. That means approximately three in four did not meet that daily activity measure. This measures adolescent physical activity, not a percentage decline in children’s play.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/su/su7304a11.htm
SEE THE IDEA IN ACTION: FREE SEVEN BRIDGES TRAIL HUNT
Saturday, October 24, 2026 · 10 AM–noon Central
Grant Park · South Milwaukee
Check-in: entrance to Parking Lot #5, by the Play Date sign—not the covered bridge.
Families follow picture clues, discover playful surprises, try friendship challenges and explore toward the beach. Monica Hidalgo of Eat Pretty Please will demonstrate healthy lunchbox ideas at 10:45 AM and 11:30 AM, weather permitting. Optional small samples are offered as supplies allow; this is not a full lunch.
Free RSVP is required for every adult and child. Caregivers stay with children. The trail includes stairs and uneven ground; a baby carrier is recommended instead of a stroller or wagon.
Details and RSVP: https://playdatecommunity.org/events/meet-your-play-date-picnic
STORY AND SEGMENT OPPORTUNITIES
• A written feature or on-camera founder interview: why Fojut started Play Date and how its hosted approach differs from simply gathering families in one place.
• A proposed healthy-lunchbox demonstration with Monica, subject to her availability.
• A visual October 24 assignment showing clues, shared play and introductions. Photography or interviews with participating families require their permission.
ABOUT PLAY DATE
Play Date creates hosted experiences where children can make friends and parents can build community through recurring play. Founded in Milwaukee, its ambition includes locally led chapters in other communities.
Friendships for kids. Community for parents.
https://playdatecommunity.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.
