Milwaukee County Parks

Milwaukee County leaders are promising greater racial equity in county operations. That includes the Parks Department, which has more than 150 properties. At least one county supervisor says she plans to hold the department to its pledge.

At Dineen Park, 6901 W. Vienna Ave., on the northwest side of Milwaukee, a major renovation has been going on in recent years. Already with the financial help of the Milwaukee Bucks, the basketball courts have been upgraded. 

Milwaukee County officials are projecting a $10 million budget deficit for the 15,000-acre county parks system this year due to health restrictions triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. County leaders are hoping that citizen volunteers will — literally — lend a hand.

Despite renewed concerns about COVID-19 over the last two weeks, Milwaukee County continues to reopen facilities at some of its roughly 155 park sites. On July 4, wading pools or splash pads opened at eight parks, including Cooper on Milwaukee's northwest side and Jacobus Park in Wauwatosa.

Bus lines, parks, the Mitchell Park Domes. These are all things that are funded by the county. According to Milwaukee County leaders, the municipality has been operating with a structural deficit for years and difficult cuts must now be made.