milwaukee’s central park. when considering milwaukee…
TRANSCRIPT
Milwaukee’s Central Park
When considering Milwaukee…
…, it is hard to imagine anything but
an Urban enviornment…
Yet the framework of the city is based on
three natural landmarks:
1. Milwaukee River2. Menomonee River2. Kinnickinnic River
These waterways are what attracted settlers back in the 1800’s to the Milwaukee area.
Although originally meant for commerce and trade purposes…
Although originally meant for commerce and trade purposes…the aesthetic appeal rose with one man’s design.
The Milwaukee river area’s park system was drawn up by...
None other than Fredrick Olmstead,
None other than Fredrick Olmstead, the
designer of Central Park In NY.
The Milwaukee River corridor is a natural
oasis in the midst of a highly urban
community, just like the one in the big
apple…
...So one would think, this could have the
potential to be Milwaukee’s “Central
Park”
Yet the population seems unaware of this natural wonder
we have.
As nice as this area is, it still is not at its full
potential.
The litter in the area can be reduced and not all of the pathways are that accessible
The River Revitalization
Foundation is more aware of these problems than
anyone.
Their aim is to not only address these
problems but also to conserve the
environment and further the greenway
concept.
The RRF is approaching these things in six particular ways:
1. Ensuring public access
2. Preservation of the River Valley
3. Preservation of a natural area in a dense urban area.
4. Ensure that new development does not threaten the river area.
5. Create links with neighborhoods on both sides of the river.
6. Conservation of habitat and wildlife areas.
Once these are in place, hopefully they will have recreated the urban landscape, for the better.
In order for the RRF’s plan to take action,
both sides of the river will have to take part.
Both the wealthier and poorer
neighborhoods will be apart of the
reconstruction.
Reforming the river valley may actually
bridge the gap between the varying neighborhoods and
inequalities.
Cultivating the landscape, planting trees, or the work of
the service learning in general; is more about
getting people educated on the
subject-spreading the word.
Hopefully the work we are doing with the RRF will not only have an impact locally, but spread to communities farther up the river, and then to other parts of the state, and then at a national and global scale.
If surrounding communities can
follow our example, it would make it that
much easier to start comparing our work to
a larger scale.
By: Ryan BenderRiver Revitalization
FoundationGeog 125