“Ruth M. Simos Great Room” Dedicated in Ceremony at Humboldt Park Pavilion

MILWAUKEE – County Supervisors Jason Haas and Marina Dimitrijevic joined with community members to honor the legacy of longtime parks advocate and educator Ruth M. Simos by naming the Great Room at the Humboldt Park Pavilion in her honor Wednesday.

“Ruth Simos was a tireless advocate for Humboldt Park, and a champion of environmental education that inspired appreciation and stewardship of all our parks. Ruth’s leadership helped create the Humboldt Park that we all enjoy today, and we recognize her efforts by naming the community space of the Humboldt Park Pavilion the Ruth M. Simos Great Room,” said Supervisor Haas.

“Ruth was an amazing woman and I am honored to have worked with her. In re-naming the Great Room in her memory, future generations will surely know of her great contribution to our park so that all may continue to enjoy Humboldt. The plaque created by our own local Milwaukee Blacksmith beautifully captures the copper beech tree that is a strong symbol in our neighborhood and highlights Tree Day which Ruth loved,” said Supervisor Dimitrijevic.

Ruth Simos was the founder of Humboldt Park Friends and worked tirelessly to foster park stewardship, preserve park history, improve amenities and safety, and to sponsor events and programming in Humboldt Park.

Wednesday was Tree Day at Humboldt Park, an annual day of educational programming for Bay View area first graders established by Ruth, and her proudest accomplishment. A class of first graders from Parkside School attended the dedication ceremony as part of Tree Day 2018.

As part of the dedication of the Ruth M. Simos Great Room, Supervisors Haas and Dimitrijevic unveiled a plaque depicting the famous copper beech tree that once stood in South Shore Park.

Milwaukee Blacksmith, known for a reality TV show of the same name, crafted the plaque out of stainless steel, brass and copper.

Ruth Simos’ daughter Mary Mendez attended the dedication ceremony, along with Guy Smith, Milwaukee County Parks Director, Tim Richter, Laureen Stirmel, and Jane LeCapitaine of the Humboldt Park Friends, and Kent and Shannon Knapp from Milwaukee Blacksmith.

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.