ABOUT PRESERVE OUR PARKS
Our History
In 1999, a proposed agreement between Milwaukee County and the City of Milwaukee sought to remove deed restrictions on 31 parks—land originally transferred to the County in the 1930s. Without these protections, those parks would have been vulnerable to sale, lease, or conversion to non-park uses. Community members came together, raised funds, and launched what became Preserve Our Parks. POP filed suit to challenge the proposal and prevailed: both the City and County agreed to restore the deed restrictions, protecting those parks for the future.
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Since then, POP has continued to stand up for Milwaukee’s park system—one of our County’s greatest treasures—by challenging threats, advocating for strong public policy, and ensuring our parks remain open and welcoming to all.
Highlights of Our Impact
Over the past two decades, POP has:
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Commissioned research and hosted forums to inform public debate about park funding and policy.
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Advocated for the creation of the Lakefront Development Advisory Commission.
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Prevented the sale, lease, or inappropriate development of parkland—including O’Donnell Park, Bender Park, Bradford Beach, and sections of our lakefront
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Redirected or opposed large-scale construction projects that would have reduced public access, from office buildings to private facilities.
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Supported community-building efforts such as children’s arts programming in Garden Homes Park and sustainability improvements at the Lake Park lighthouse.
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Helped secure wins for equity in access, such as stopping proposals for paid parking in public parks.