Milwaukee County Parks Kicks Off Memorial Day Weekend
Activities will be as varied as visiting a beer garden to swimming at a waterpark.
2017 Kite Festival. Photo by Jack Fennimore.
MILWAUKEE — Popular summer activities in the Milwaukee County Parks will get under way Memorial Day weekend. Activities will be as varied as visiting a beer garden to swimming at a waterpark.
Friday Fish Fry
It’s time to enjoy the Friday Fish Fry in the Parks—available at the South Shore Terrace Kitchen and Beer Garden, and the Grant and Whitnall Golf Clubhouses. South Shore Terrace, 2900 S. Shore Drive, offers a fish fry of High Life battered cod, sidewinder fries, house-made slaw, and rye bread, served with tartar sauce and lemon—and an incredible view. The fish fry is served from 4-9 p.m. The clubhouse fish fry includes baked or fried cod, French fries or roasted potatoes, coleslaw, rye bread, and a cookie. The clubhouse fish fry is served from 4–8 p.m. at Grant, 100 E. Hawthorne Ave., and Whitnall, 6751 S. 92 St. Reservations are accepted only at Grant at 414-762-4817. Fish fries continue every Friday. For details, visit county.milwaukee.gov/FridayFishFry.
Gemütlichkeit at the Beer Gardens
Good friends, good beer, and good times come together Friday evening, and the weekend and holiday beginning at 11 a.m., at the beer gardens. The Parks Traveling Beer Gardens at Juneau Park (900 N. Prospect Ave) and Greenfield Park (2028 S. 124 St), the Whitnall Park Beer Garden (8831 N. Root River Parkway in Greendale), and the South Shore Terrace Kitchen & Beer Garden (2900 S. Shore Drive) will be serving up Gemütlichkeit. Beers come in souvenir glass pints and steins, which can be refilled at a discount. Patrons who bring their own pint- or liter-sized glassware receive the same discount. Live music will be performed at the Traveling Beer Gardens and at the Whitnall Park Beer Garden, Friday and Saturday from 5–8 p.m. Last call is 9 p.m. For more about beer gardening in the parks, visit MKEbeergardens.com.
Friday Night Music on the Beach
Families will enjoy a season of acoustic music at Ferch’s Beachside Grille, on the Grant Park Beach at 100 E Hawthorne Ave., beginning Friday, from 5–8 p.m. The music continues every Friday through August. While enjoying the music and the view, families can ponder Ferch’s menu, featuring fresh frozen custard, juicy burgers, and craft beers. Saturday, Ferch’s hours go to 11 a.m.–9 p.m. daily, weather permitting. For details, visit ferchs.com/grant.
Annual Family Kite Festival in Veterans Park
Families are invited to come fly a kite. The 31st annual Wilde Subaru Family Kite Festival, presented by Prairie Farms and Summit Credit Union, will be held Saturday, from 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and Sunday, from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., in Veterans Park, 1300 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive, The Grand Launch of more than 600 kites will take place at noon, and performances by professional kite-flying teams will occur throughout the day, including Yves Laforest and the Canadian Dream Team with their giant kites. The festival, kite-flying lessons, kites to the first 100 kids participating in the Kids Mad Dash kite launch, and parking are free. For details, call 414-273-5483 or visit giftofwings.com.
Swimming at the Waterparks
Saturday, Cool Waters Family Aquatic Park in Greenfield Park, 2028 S. 124 St., and David F. Schulz Aquatic Center in Lincoln Park, 1301 E. Hampton Ave., will open for the holiday weekend. Weekend and holiday hours for Cool Waters will be 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Schulz, noon–6 p.m. Both parks feature giant waterslides, beach entry, and interactive water toys. These family water parks will open weekends-only through June 10. For details, call the Aquatics Hotline at 414-257-8098 or visit countyparks.com.
Warbler Walk in Lake Park Saturday
Saturday, from 8:30–10 a.m., birders, from beginner to advanced, are invited to a free walk in search of spring’s migratory warblers in Lake Park, 2975 N. Lake Park Road. Recreational birders will lead the walk to the best birding spots in the park. Participants should meet near the Warming House. For details, visit lakeparkfriends.org.
Lawn Bowling Open House in Lake Park Sunday
Members of Lake Park Lawn Bowls Association will introduce the public to lawn bowling, Sunday, from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Lake Park’s lawn bowling courts are located at 3131 E. Newberry Blvd. Members will give demonstrations, followed by organized games. Participants are asked to wear flat-soled shoes. All other equipment will be provided. The Association’s website notes that young children may need another activity for entertainment while older children and adults play. For details, visit milwaukeelawnbowls.com.
Bradford Beach Summer Kick-Off Party
If it’s summer, the place to be is Bradford Beach. Sunday, starting at 11 a.m., Bradford Beach MKE is hosting the Season Kick Off Party. From 11 a.m.–1 p.m., party-goers can register to win a six-person Cabana Party that includes food and beverages. From noon–6 p.m., a guest DJ will be spinning tunes. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. For details, visit facebook.com/BradfordBeachMke
The Domes: Where the weather is always perfect
The Mitchell Park Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd., will be open for the final days of the spring floral show, Shakespeare in Love, Friday from 9 a.m.–5 p.m., and the weekend and holiday, from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. . The pastel-tinted displays include scroll-shaped signs with quotes from Shakespeare that relate to the nearby flowers, such as rosemary for remembrance and pansies for thoughts. Shakespeare in Love brings the language of flowers to life. Admission fees range from $5 to $8. When presenting IDs for proof of status, Milwaukee County residents, students of all ages, and people with disabilities receive discounted admission. Because Monday is a federal holiday, the free day for Milwaukee County residents is suspended. For details, call 414-257-5611 or visit county.milwaukee.gov/TheDomes.
For other activities in the Milwaukee County Parks, call 414-257-PARK (7275) or visit countyparks.com.
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.
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Milwaukee County Parks
Milwaukee County Parks Hosting Hiring Event to Fill Variety of Positions
Jan 22nd, 2024 by Milwaukee County ParksMilwaukee County Parks is hosting a hiring event for around seasonal positions, with walk-in interviews and on-the-spot hiring.
