Tag Archives: Grant Park

by | July 3, 2014 · 5:11 pm

Join Us For A Fun 4th!

Looking forward to seeing folks at the new-and-improved July 4th celebration at Grant Park tomorrow …

See the full schedule and more information here and here.

The day starts around 10 a.m. with the bike judging and continues with games, the penny scramble, bouncy houses, and the Mayor’s Picnic (free lunch for all attendees) — ending with fireworks around 9:30 p.m.

Thanks again to our sponsors:

  • TASC Services, which has donated to make the free the lunch happen;
  • Max A. Sass Funeral & Cremation Services, which is supporting the bouncy houses; and
  • Emerald City Catering, which is serving the lunch and offering food and drink sales all day down at Picnic Areas 5 and 6.

P.J.’s Variety Store will also be there selling candy, and there will be free temporary tattoos for the kids, courtesy of the South Milwaukee Rec Department. And we’ll have DJ music throughout much of the day.

It should be a fun time, with great weather. I hope you can make it!

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by | January 1, 2014 · 5:04 pm

Dashing Into A Freezing Lake Michigan

The 2014 Polar Bear Dash is in the books, with more than 250 runners competing in a 5K run through Grant Park, followed by a plunge into a 36-degree Lake Michigan. About 50 actually took the plunge at the end — under the watchful eye of the South Milwaukee Fire Department, of course.

Here are more details on event. And thanks to South Milwaukee Fire Chief Joe Knitter for the image.

Did you take part? How was it?
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by | September 26, 2013 · 3:26 pm

Grobschmidt Pool On Budget Chopping Block — Park Patrols, Too

Update: Or is Grobschmidt Pool not on the chopping block? The updated Journal Sentinel story says it might not be. I’ll try and get to the bottom of this. From that story … “Abele said the indoor pools were aging, expensive to maintain and not heavily patronized. Interim Parks Director John Dargle said earlier the budget would include closing outdoor pools at Grobschmidt and Jackson parks. But those closings were not listed in Abele’s budget.”

It’s official — South Milwaukee’s Grobschmidt Pool is on the budget chopping block. Can it be saved?

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has more details on County Executive Chris Abele’s proposed budget. From the story …

County Board Chairwoman Marina Dimitrijevic said the tax levy freeze needed to be evaluated in light of the county’s huge service needs, as well as substantial deferred maintenance on county buildings.

“There needs to be a balance” between the goals of providing necessary services and freezing taxes, she said. The board added $4 million to the tax levy over what Abele proposed for this year’s budget.

She called Abele’s plan to close both of the county’s indoor pools and replace them with a skate board park and splash pad “basically offensive.” Abele wants to shut down pools at Noyes and Pulaski parks, as well as outdoor pools at Grobschmidt and Jackson parks.

Abele said the indoor pools were aging, expensive to maintain and not heavily patronized. Dimitrijevic said the more than 50,000 residents using the indoor pools indicated they are well used and said she’d gotten numerous phone calls and emails of concern since Abele’s pool plan was first discussed last week.

Just as concerning for South Milwaukee and our police department — the proposal to put park patrols in the hands of local departments. In a city where more than 20 percent of our land is parks, that’s a big deal, especially when I have my doubts there will be proper funding for this mandate.

Abele also released more details of his public safety budget, including a $1.2 million program to have local police departments patrol county parks. The City of Milwaukee would get the lion’s share — about $1 million for patrolling the lakefront and other parks in the city. Off-duty cops would handle the patrols and get paid overtime, if the city agrees to the plan.

The same idea was rejected last year by the County Board and opposed by Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr., who requested 100 new deputies for 2014.

I’ll keep you posted.

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by | July 6, 2013 · 8:58 am

A Chance To Do Your Part For Grant Park

Grant Park is a wonderful asset for South Milwaukee — but we need to be active caretakers of it, too.

You have a chance to do just that on Tuesday, July 9. That’s when the Alliance for the Great Lakes is looking for volunteers to help with a habitat assessment and restoration effort.

Learn more in this event alert. From it:

As a volunteer, you will help reduce the threats to this important natural area by conducting habitat assessments and on-the-ground restoration. Volunteers will learn skills needed to collect field data to inform future restoration planning, monitor ongoing restoration projects and protect habitats by removing invasive plants and planting native species.

Two shifts are available: 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Meet at the Grant Park beach parking lot.

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by | February 1, 2013 · 4:36 pm

Supervisor Jursik Update: Seven Bridges, Oak Creek Watercourse And More

Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik has published her monthly newsletter, and it includes updates on the Seven Bridges project and the Oak Creek watercourse.

Check it out here. Here is the item on the Seven Bridges …

The Parks Department is working to have the contractor rectify ravine damage during lakeside bridge reconstruction at Seven Bridges trail in Grant Park. Of course, the good news is that Seven Bridges will finally be restored come Spring of 2013.

Along with the Parks Department and engineering staff, I met with the Friends of Grant Park in January. The Friends are alarmed at the ravine damage and want to ensure the area is properly restored with native vegetation and clean soils. They have offered to assist with volunteer hours. I am in awe of wonderful groups like the Friends of Grant Park and thank them for their passion and work.

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by | December 28, 2012 · 1:11 pm

Seven Bridges Update … And It’s Not Good

The following is from Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik, in her monthly news Update.

Throughout December 2012, a contractor repaired the large lakeside bridge at Seven Bridges trail in Grant Park. Many of us were alarmed at the lack of erosion controls; at the excessive removal of trees and walls to access the site; and at the road that was built to lower a back hoe to the bridge level. This was all outside the job description.

At this point, I am working with the Parks Department and engineering staff to demand the best remedy for this sad situation. Milwaukee County will not make further payments until the contractor repairs the damage, plants trees and takes other steps. We will do our best to get this rectified.

Jursik’s monthly newsletter also includes updates on the 794 extension, Mill Pond repairs, Bender Park and a variety of county issues.

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by | November 4, 2012 · 11:25 pm

Parks Update: Lakefront Parks Joint Meeting, Seven Bridges Repair

Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik’s eNews update has a couple of updates involving Grant Park, including word of joint meeting of lakefront park Friends groups set for 6 p.m. Thursday at the Grant Park clubhouse.

The goal: increased cooperation around common issues like erosion, beach health and safety.

There is also good news on Grant Park’s Seven Bridges:

The Parks Department plans to restore the large lakeside bridge at Seven Bridges soon. The contractors hope to begin construction in late November and complete work by the end of 2012.  While Seven Bridges shall remain open to the public, some areas will be obstructed to accommodate heavy machinery.  Reconstruction of the large lakeside bridge will be prioritized.   The crew will then repair the footbridge by Wil-O-Way.

To protect this sensitive area, we need to use the official paths.  Unfortunately, visitors have climbed down and eroded the ravine while the bridge has been out of service.

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by | August 14, 2012 · 9:54 pm

Then There Was One: Funding Found To Fix Up Grant Park’s Seventh Bridge

As you’ll recall, earlier this year Kohl’s Corp. volunteers banded together to repair a crumbling South Milwaukee landmark: Grant Parks’ seven bridges.

But there was one problem: One important bridge was beyond the scope of the repairs. The “lakeside bridge” repairs were simply too big to be addressed by a group of volunteers, no matter how well intentioned.

Well, the Seventh Bridge is getting fixed up, too.

That’s according to Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik, who sent the following email today …

The contract has been let for repair of the lakeside bridge at Seven Bridges.  Stone Creek Builders was awarded the contract, having offered the best bid.  Although there is a $41,000 shortfall, it will be made up from other projects that were completed under budget.

It’s good to see progress here, and I thank Pat for her continued work on improving Grant Park — including the ongoing roadwork to repair the main park drive.

I’ll keep you posted on the projects.

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by | April 28, 2012 · 9:26 am

Stepping Up: Kohl’s Restores The Seven Bridges

The Seven Bridges are the Seven Bridges again — restored by a local company committed to the community.

Kohl’s Corp. invested thousands of dollars and brought forth dozens of employee volunteers this week to rebuild five of the Grant Park trail’s seven bridges. The end result: Rebirth of an iconic South Milwaukee landmark damaged by floods in 2008 and 2010.

Check out the Fox 6 story here. From it:

The project is part of Kohl’s Cares National Go Green Event.  The company provided the labor and thousands of dollars worth of materials needed to complete the task.

“It almost brings tears to my eyes.  It’s just beautiful,” said Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik, who was emotional when she saw the work being done Friday.  She represents the South Shore district.

“The seven bridges were damaged in the 100 years floods that happened in 2009 to 2010, and we’ve been struggling to get the money,” said Jursik.

“This is something that’s going to be here for future generations and I’m just touched,” said Milwaukee County Parks Director Sue Black.  “The people who are going to use this for the next decades are going to know that Kohl’s cared.”

The bridges will be ready for use this weekend. It’s been a long time coming, and it’s a worthy investment.

Thank you, Kohl’s.

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by | April 5, 2012 · 2:22 pm

Seven Bridges Update And More News From County Supervisor Pat Jursik

Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik has published her new Enews newsletter, and it includes an update on repairs to the Seven — now actually five — Bridges.

And it doesn’t seem to signal they’ll be fixed quickly.

Check out the newsletter here. From it:

Seven Bridges trail at Grant Park continues to have two footbridges out of commission, the lakeside bridge and a small bridge, due to flooding several summers ago …

Milwaukee County currently has a consultant, Graef USA, designing the two replacement bridges. These bridge replacements pose a challenge in accessing the sites with the proper equipment and materials.

The consultant hopes to meet with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in early April to get a better understanding of limitations for access and permit requirements. The meeting should clarify the types of equipment and materials that can be used for the project and will help to determine a timeline.

I’ll keep you posted.

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by | January 6, 2012 · 10:42 pm

January Golf At Grant Park And Other Headlines

Update: Also, one of the Gov. Scott Walker appointees charged in the John Doe investigation last week is from Cudahy. See the story here. 

Grant Park is open again for some January golf. How crazy is that?

Learn more in this Journal Sentinel story.

And check out these other headlines of local interest:

Also, state Sen. Chris Larson has published a new Larson Report, and there is a new police blotter on South Milwaukee NOW.

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by | September 1, 2011 · 3:43 pm

Oak Creek Watercourse Update

Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the most recent meeting of the group of local, county and state officials discussing the future of the Oak Creek watercourse through South Milwaukee.

But Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik, who has led the effort to at least get everyone to the table on this important issue, has an update on progress in her most recent eNews update.

And here it is …

The Oak Creek Watershed (including the Cities of Oak Creek, South Milwaukee and Cudahy as well as the Airport) drains into the Oak Creek Watercourse.  There are many issues of concern surrounding this Watercourse, including recent extreme storm events resulting in flooding around the Watercourse; contaminated sediment at Mill Pond; the condition of the dam; aging sewer infrastructure in Grant Park and Oak Creek Parkway; and streambank and Lake Michigan bluff erosion which threatens property.

I have worked with our regional planning agency to facilitate meetings with the City of South Milwaukee and the Milwaukee County Parks Department.  We have drawn on the knowledge of other agencies including the Department of Natural Resources. As a result of these talks, the City of South Milwaukee and the County Parks Department will create an agreement defining responsibility for emergencies,  maintenance and improvement of the Oak Creek Watercourse.  Following is a brief explanation of some relevant concerns. 

  • Long ago, the City placed concrete channels in parts of the Creek.  Now, vegetation in the streambed and the structural soundness of bridges over the stream are of concern.
  • The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission may be able to research the options for resolving dam issues and the potential for additional washouts of the road at the Mill Pond.  The community would need to consider this data and reach a conclusion on the best future for the area.  Policymakers would need to execute and seek funding for any decision.
  • Farther downstream, sediment, stormwater and antiquated infrastructure have eroded the Creek banks and Lake Michigan bluffs, resulting in slumping slopes, an eroded coastline, and imminent loss of more parkland.  Milwaukee County has proposed a project to resolve the eroding bluff.  Storm and sanitary sewer structures need to be repaired.
  • Finally, the community needs to determine priorities.  It may wish to invest in protection for structures that are threatened by extreme rainfall and buildings experiencing sanitary sewer backups.

These are just a few of the many issues that must be resolved.

In other words, there is a lot of work to yet to do here — and tough decisions to be made. But at least the discussions continue. I’ll keep you posted.

You can access Pat’s entire newsletter here.

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by | February 1, 2011 · 10:42 pm

Battered by the Blizzard: What Will This Storm Mean for Grant Park?

One of the potential effects of the ongoing blizzard that bears watching is the impact it might have on Grant Park.

The park (and Bender Park in Oak Creek) is closed through Wednesday due to concerns about what potentially 16-foot waves could mean for flooding, erosion and any search and rescue efforts.

With that in mind, the National Weather Service has issued a lakeshore flood warning. From it:

PERSISTENT NORTHEAST GALES TO 40 KNOTS…WITH FREQUENT GUSTS TO 50 KNOTS ARE EXPECTED TONIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY. THESE WINDS WILL PRODUCE WAVES OF 12 TO 16 FEET…AND WILL LINGER INTO WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. THE WINDS WILL THEN TURN MORE NORTHWESTERLY.

THE FORCE OF THE LARGE WAVES WILL PUSH WATER OVER NEAR LAKE ROADWAYS…AS WELL AS CREATE FREEZING SPRAY THAT WILL COAT THEM WITH ICE. THE LARGE WAVES WILL ALSO PRODUCE WIDESPREAD SHORELINE EROSION…AND DAMAGE SHORELINE STRUCTURES IN UNPROTECTED AREAS.

THE PROLONGED INTENSE WAVE ACTION MAY BREAK UP SOME ICE COVERED AREAS…PUSHING THE ICE ONTO THE SHORE…CAUSING THE POTENTIAL FOR MORE DAMAGE.

Scary sounding stuff. I’ll keep you posted.

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by | September 14, 2010 · 9:38 pm

Resurfacing Planned for Grant Park, Mill Road

Milwaukee County is going to make your drive through Grant Park a little smoother in 2010.

The county plans to resurface a stretch of the park’s main road near the north entrance next spring, as well the stretch of Mill Road from Milwaukee Avenue to Hawthorne venue, according to Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik.

It’s about time, and if you’ve driven through Grant Park recently, you know what I’m talking about. There are stretches that are literally crumbling, an unfortunate example of the county’s mounting deferred maintenance concerns.

Check out a map showing the stretches in question. The roads in blue are the ones being addressed in 2010.

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by | November 16, 2009 · 10:03 pm

More Headlines of Interest …

Here’s a few more headlines 4th District residents may be interested in …

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