City of Milwaukee leaders gathered at Arlington Heights Park last week to announce a new plan aimed at rehabbing a dozen of the city's most dilapidated playgrounds.
The MKE Plays Initiative will bring "much needed improvement, both structural and intrinsic, to many of the city's poorest neighborhoods," according to a press release. The project was conceived by Milwaukee Common Council President Michael Murphy.
By the end of the summer, three urban playgrounds will see improvements based on residents' input, replacing worn and unsafe equipment with newer, eco-friendly structures. And over the next five years, improvements will continue at nine other playgrounds.
Major funding for the project came from the Zilber Family Foundation, which awarded MKE Plays with a $300,000 grant. The City of Milwaukee will contribute $165,000 to the project, with the rest of the funds to be raised through private donations.
The following playground locations will see improvements:
- 67th & Spokane
- Long Island & Custer
- 21st & Keefe
- 5th & Randolph
- Snails Crossing
- Buffum & Center
- DeBack Park
- 17th & Vine
- Foundation Park
- 34th & Mt. Vernon
- Arlington Heights
- Townbridge Square
The estimated cost of the project is $1,268,326, according to documents issued by Ald. Murphy's office.
Click the podcast player to hear Ald. Murphy's remarks, plus hear an interview with Zilber Family Foundation Executive Director Susan Llyod.
