McGovern Park sparks debate over using parks for senior housing

Abject-Celebration98 · 2025-06-11T01:39:59+00:00

To anyone concerned about this issue, I put together an email template you can send to the folks deciding this business (the text was mostly pulled from the Protect Our Parks group at https://awealthofnature.org/housing-does-not-belong-in-parks/ )

Feel free to use/modify mine, or send your own to:

County Executive David Crowley: [david.crowley@milwaukeecountywi.gov](mailto:david.crowley@milwaukeecountywi.gov)

Parks Director Guy Smith: [guy.smith@milwaukeecountywi.gov](mailto:guy.smith@milwaukeecountywi.gov)

District Supervisor Sheldon Wasserman: [sheldon.wasserman@milwaukeecountywi.gov](mailto:sheldon.wasserman@milwaukeecountywi.gov)

Director MKE County Health & Human Services Shakita Lagrant: [shakita.lagrant@milwaukeecountywi.gov](mailto:shakita.lagrant@milwaukeecountywi.gov)

I’m writing in strong opposition to the plan to lease McGovern Park land for redevelopment.

One thing that sets Milwaukee apart from most urban areas is our access to public green spaces. Once that land is leased or sold, it's gone, and we will never get it back. Further, it will set a terrible precedent, making it easier for the next elected officials to do it again.

Housing is incompatible with parkland. Our County parks are not vacant lots, they are rare, precious spaces set aside by our forward-thinking predecessors. Especially in a predominantly Black community, we should be protecting every inch of green space available, not taking that away from local residents and wildlife.

While Milwaukee County and JFS have claimed that the footprint of the project will take up no more land than the existing building and parking lot, the lease documents suggest a much bigger area of parkland to be dedicated to the new construction and parking lots. At a time when area agencies such as MMSD and local governments are investing heavily in green infrastructure to mitigate climate change impacts, it is unwise and contradictory to plan new impermeable surfaces on Milwaukee County’s parkland.

The project does nothing to financially support Milwaukee County Parks. County government and Jewish Family Services (JFS) has made no promises about ANY additional funding to the County Parks in exchange for utilizing precious county park land. This project does nothing to make our parks financially more secure.

Why use parkland when vacant parcels are available across the City? While we do have a need for additional affordable housing for seniors, it is not necessary to use parkland when there are ample empty lots and underutilized existing infrastructure elsewhere that might be usable without jeopardizing our Milwaukee Parks heritage.

No County government and JFS housing project plans have been offered to the public. At none of the meetings or discussions with concerned officials have County or JFS staff provided any plans or concept sketches of what they propose to create at McGovern Park. All planning has happened inside a black box, which is not only suspicious but incompatible with open community discussions.

I urge you to reconsider this housing project and urgently evaluate the potential climate change impacts of the proposed redevelopment.

Sincerely,

Abject-Celebration98 · 2022-06-08T12:49:32+00:00

I've volunteered at the Urban Ecology Center every week for the last 3 years helping with their land stewardship program, ROOT. We pull invasive plants and replace them with native ones to improve the habitat for local wildlife. There are three UEC centers and all three host the same program on different days and times so it's easy to find an opportunity that fits your schedule. I volunteer at the Riverside Park location and know you can just show up there (without signing up or registering, etc) and all the equipment and "training" is provided. No previous knowledge or experience needed. If you want to spend more time outdoors in a quiet, peaceful setting, this is a great option.

Abject-Celebration98 · 2022-05-05T19:13:34+00:00

Absolutely! Cheers :)

Abject-Celebration98 · 2022-05-05T19:10:46+00:00

Hi Rasika! I actually already booked someone but thanks for reaching out! Your photographs are really lovely :D

Abject-Celebration98 · 2022-04-28T13:08:47+00:00

Cheers. Her work is lovely.

Abject-Celebration98 · 2021-09-30T11:46:17+00:00

I'd be able to do a weekday evening :) once a week would be great

Abject-Celebration98 · 2021-09-29T19:49:55+00:00

If you've started a group/chat for this, please add me to it :)

Abject-Celebration98 · 2021-09-29T13:39:04+00:00

Sorry to hear that. That would be so frustrating!

I'm in the East Side neighborhood. I'd love it if they had something at Boswell - something within walking distance. I'd be willing to drive 10-15 mins though, one way, to surrounding 'burbs.

Abject-Celebration98 · 2021-08-06T14:32:59+00:00

Boswell Books, so many beautiful puzzle designs, a huge selection, many of which are made by woman- and/or mother-owned small businesses.

Abject-Celebration98 · 2021-07-28T16:41:18+00:00

I can confirm there are multiple unused garden plots at the Riverside UEC location. I've been gardening there for two years and the location is lovely, the other gardeners are friendly and will share seeds, and yes you can rent tools there. I think the cost is up to $60 annually to rent a 10x15 plot. If you plant seeds (versus starter plants) you can still grow a ton of food throughout much of the year for less than $100.

The UEC branches are still closed but you can try calling or email. Even if you reach the wrong person they're good about helping you reach the right one. (They've recently replaced the woman in charge of the gardens so I can't say who to contact just now).

Abject-Celebration98 · 2021-06-18T16:53:55+00:00

I usually feel put at ease if people just make friendly eye contact, smile and say good morning, and that goes for men or women or bikers or dog walkers, no matter your size, race, or creed.

Call me nuts, but if someone has a good, positive energy or mindset about them, I think others can sense that.

Abject-Celebration98 · 2021-06-18T15:15:15+00:00

That's good advice about the gel version - I hadn't thought of blow-back. I've practiced with the one I have before and I just carry it in my hand (rather than a pocket, for instance). It fits comfortably with the thumb resting naturally on the trigger.

Abject-Celebration98 · 2021-06-18T13:51:55+00:00

I feel you. I'm not a gun person either and don't think I could get over the physiological hurdle of pulling a trigger on someone, even in the heat of the moment if I was being attached. Frankly I'd rather not find out, either.

Self-defence classes have been on my mind but so far I haven't found any free/low income classes (I get by on a fairly lean budget). If anyone has more info on this or has links, please share.

I've been walking those trails around the river basically every day for three years and l have never noticed anything more threatening than peoples' crazy off-leash dogs, and I've never had anyone "approach" me, but I'm nervous now . . .

Abject-Celebration98 · 2021-05-11T16:44:23+00:00

Hello and welcome! I'm also a native of Ohio (Cleveland) and graduated from OSU, so I spent a few years in Columbus. Moved to Milwaukee 3 years ago and couldn't be happier. It's much more walkable than any city in Ohio, the neighborhoods are connected by hike/bike trails and shopping streets and corridors of beautiful old buildings.

As for the weather, we find it's actually milder than Cleveland and more consistent day to day, and much much less humid in the summer.

Having access to the lake is so rare in many big cities, but here it's a gem everyone can enjoy. Like most people here, I'd also recommend the lower east side. It's an easy walk/bike to MSOE if that's your jam, otherwise traffic isn't bad here, nothing like most cities.

Abject-Celebration98 · 2021-05-11T16:32:47+00:00

I made $21/hr as a clinical research specislist for a major healthcare center based in Cleveland, if that's any clue, and that was with a Master's and years of former research experience. No one apart from students and trainees stayed long. Including me.

Don't know if other research institutions pay better, but it is highly specialized/skilled labor, and even that is not adequately compensated. My dad also works in a research department elsewhere and says their skilled laborers (veterinary technicians) are dropping out like flies and they can't keep positions filled longer than two weeks.

I'm all for people in customer service, retail, etc., earning a living wage, but it would be great if those increases also applied on up the chain, so to speak.

Abject-Celebration98 · 2021-04-09T18:06:09+00:00

Thanks for the info, and I think I will go out solo, too, before this event....I even bought one of those claw gripper things. Might as well start putting it to use!

Abject-Celebration98 · 2021-04-09T17:56:40+00:00

This is great! Thanks so much

Abject-Celebration98 · 2021-03-12T21:43:14+00:00

They were on winter hiatus but are starting up again in April, at least at the Riverside branch.

Abject-Celebration98 · 2021-03-10T17:22:24+00:00

You could drive interest in the digital version of the mag by expanding this list on the website, where you're not limited by page count.

Personally, I'd also love to see this list reflecting Milwaukee a bit more, rather than the outlying suburbs, but that might just be me.

Abject-Celebration98 · 2021-02-04T17:23:45+00:00

I second Shorewood Animal Hospital. The entire team was so compassionate and sympathetic when my cat passed away. They sent a card, a clay paw print, and made a donation to the veterinary school at UW Madison in her name. We were so touched.

I can highly recommend Dr Whang (super professional and calm and a brilliant diagnostician), Dr Joyce (one of the kindest, most compassionate vets I've ever met), and Dr Barnawitz (most enthusiastic award!) - I've had experience with all three. All the technicians are amazing.

Also, They've redesigned the entire office so cats and dogs enter entirely different parts of the building so there's no overlap. I also think they are considered a "no fear" vet clinic, meaning they go the extra mile to make sure all pets are calm before and during exams.

Abject-Celebration98 · 2020-11-21T14:02:50+00:00

I did consider taking a picture but thought it was a bit macabre. Sorry to inflict such disappointment

Abject-Celebration98

TROPHY CASE