In 2024, Lakeshore State Park DNR staff and seasonal educators conducted 143 events and programs at no cost to schools, students, and members of the public.
Community volunteers dedicated over 500 hours as well, and together with the DNR, provided opportunity for so many to learn and experience the wonder of nature found here, right next to downtown Milwaukee.
In 2025, the Friends’ plan to support the park includes:
- park educators for expanded educational programming
- a prescribed burn, with native seedings and plantings in the prairies
- replacement deicers to keep the marina clear of ice
- improved signage and adding a small tent for events.
Your support means a lot to our local community. We hope you enjoy our brief look back at this past year and share our excitement for 2025. Let’s make Lakeshore State Park a place everyone can enjoy, now and in the future!
With cold sunny temps, low wind and 9″ thick ice, January 20th was a perfect day for us to do a newsletter story about ice-fishing. Several large brown trout were caught that day, and in addition, two rarely seen long-eared owls and a rough-legged hawk were seen at the park – it was quite a winter day of action in the park!
On August 10th, a FLSP team participated in the Milwaukee Dragon Boat FestivaL Hosted by the Milwaukee Chinese Community Center, the event brought together our community to enjoy traditional dance, music, and dragon boats. With 51 teams in the race, many from some of Milwaukee’s leading companies, this event was a true reflection of the strong corporate and community spirit that drives our city, while showcasing our park as a premier venue!
Park prairies thrived thanks to many hours of work by DNR staff and others, including volunteers from the Garden Club of Greater Milwaukee and the Rotary Club of Milwaukee. Habitat was improved through a private donation of native trees and shrubs, and vegetative mats which were donated by the Garden Club and the Woman’s Club of Wisconsin.
September 7th we partnered with Sarah Fierek on the 2nd annual Wildflower on the Water, a Friends Gathering. This free festival celebrated nature, music, dance, and art, with a variety of free, family-fun activities. The Friends and Sarah Fierek are very grateful for the generous support of sponsors, the talented artists and dedicated volunteers who all made this event possible. Net proceeds support park programs and infrastructure.
Park naturalists led many free hikes. An upgraded purple martin house had 100% occupancy this year. A cute “Wooly Bear Crossing” sign was made by season DNR staff. The Friends donated protective eyewear for the eclipse viewing.
Upcoming Events
Our park educators offer a wide variety of programs for both kids and adults and events that focus on nature education and exploration, all designed to be hands-on and family friendly.
We hope you look forward to these upcoming events!
- Sunday, January 12: Second Sunday Bird Walk, 8-10AM milwaukeebirders.org. (South Entrance)
Event details available here: FLSP Events Page
Contact: Elaine Zautke (Park Manager) elaine.zautke@wisconsin.gov414-274-4281
Please note this change! All events will start at the park south entrance unless otherwise indicated. Public parking on the south side behind Summerfest Grounds can be found by entering “Milwaukee Pierhead Lighthouse” into a GPS map program. Approximate coordinates to the start location: 43.029163, -87.895880
This Month’s Newsletter Contributors:
Elaine Zautke, DNR Park Manager
David Wenstrup, FLSP Board Chair
About the Friends: https://friendslsp.org/about/