2025 featured informative events and activities for varied interests. Our Humboldt in Harmony educational series included an evening with Milwaukee Historian, John Gurda, who put Humboldt Park in the context of the first parks in Milwaukee, tracing back more than 125 years. Then we learned about water management, from keeping plastics out of our sewers and waterways to capturing as much water as possible in our yards, parks, and open lands. Learners gained a new appreciation for the importance of the Great Lakes and the Kinnickinnic River Watershed.
Raptors were the stars of one of our events, featuring staff and volunteers of the Schlitz Audubon Center. Area youth and adults also went on bird walks and bat walks to spot them in real life, too. Our bird walk was also hosted by friends of the park, Eric, Randy, and Austen Norberg,
My favorite part of the education series was the sights and sounds of the Schlitz Audubon event with Humboldt in Harmony. From the delight of the crowd when 5-ounce owl Gimli was presented, to the sound of Valkyrie the bald eagle stretching her wings, to the questions from kids and kids at heart, to the educational talk from the Schlitz caretakers, it was a privilege to hear our community — animal and human — in our beautiful park. —
Fifty-three walkers hiked the streets from six different census tracts to assess walk hazards and promote walkability of their routes to the park. They reported their findings this fall with a poster session and meetings with elected city and county officials.
Taking part in the annual cattail pull and participating in a walk audit showed me just how much thoughtful work goes into keeping Humboldt Park accessible and rooted in community.
Science also took stage this fall when students of the UWM School of Freshwater Science presented the results of their study of the lagoon. After taking repeated samples from four different locations around the lagoon over the course of summer and fall, Kelly Stoeckigt, Jena Choi, and Jeff Gibbs described the health of the lagoon, its strengths, and its vulnerabilities. Their recommendations will shape our work for the next year and have already contributed to our plans for a pollinator garden on the shoreline.
And then there were are two visual arts events. First, area fiber artist Martha Lund created a fiber mural on the west side of the tennis courts expressing the enthusiasm and vibrancy of jazz. Then in August, we enjoyed learning so much more about visual arts from the creators who lined Park Road, offering their creations for sale and explaining their inspirations and creative processes.
This was our first year hosting Ice Cold Art Pop-Up in Humboldt Park, and the artists who participated were so excited to display and sell their work with the support of the Humboldt Park Friends! Thanks to the support of the Friends group and community donors, we were able to provide free and discounted table fees to many of the participating artists this year. The park was the perfect venue, and we hope to bring more local art and community together again here soon.
Water, trees, wildlife, pollinators, history, and art — these have been our educational contributions to our neighbors and friends. Won’t you consider a gift of support as we wrap up 2025? Your contribution will help us sustain and expand our educational offerings in the new year.