Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward Association receives $10,000 matching challenge grant to fund new playground in Gas Light Park

(Milwaukee, WI – March 1, 2021) — In a final push to fund a playground for young children in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward, an anonymous local donor created a $10,000 matching challenge grant. Any donation after February 25 will be matched dollar-for-dollar until the $10,000 challenge is met. The playground, to be located at the corner of Jefferson and Erie Streets in Gas Light Park, will include a United Way Born Learning Trail for fun interactive activities and a small multi-activity playground. This is the first playground to be built in the Historic Third Ward neighborhood.

“We’re honored to have this generous donor support the Historic Third Ward Association and this project. The budget for the project is $85,000 and we’ve raised nearly 50 percent of the funding,” said Jim Plaisted, Executive Director of the Historic Third Ward Association. “Doubling our donations through this generous grant will help us meet our goal to install the project in late spring.”

Over the past 15 years, the number of residents in the Historic Third Ward neighborhood rose significantly due to increased residential developments. As the inventory of condos and apartments increased, more families with young children, as well as retirees with visiting grandchildren started calling the neighborhood home.

“Creating a playground for our youngest residents is in line with the strategic plan approved by the Association in 2017,” said Jack R. Lemmon, President of the Association’s board. “It enables us to continue to meet the changing needs of the diverse constituencies of the neighborhood.”

The Historic Third Ward Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and all donations to the Gas Light Park children’s playground are tax-deductible. Donations are welcome on the park’s GoFundMe Charity page or via check mailed to 525 E Chicago Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

For more information about Gas Light Park and how to donate, call 414.273.1173 or visit https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/childrens-play-area-at-gas-light-park.

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.