Our Vision

The Friends of Lakeshore State Park partner with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and our community to support Lakeshore State Park as Milwaukee’s premier urban lakefront destination for environmental and freshwater education, conservation, recreation and outdoor enjoyment.

Our Mission

The Friends of Lakeshore State Park is a non-profit organization chartered as a 501c(3) dedicated to supporting Lakeshore State Park and its partners. The Friends raise funds for and participate in educational programming, events, infrastructure, and marketing and build memberships and strategic alliances to succeed in these efforts.

Building Our Future

Join Us In Creating A Legacy For Future Generations

Nestled in the prairie that surrounds it, the Visitor and Education Center (VEC) will be a 2,500 sq ft gathering space with accessible and family restrooms, seating for 50 at tables, DNR office, and two outdoor patios for use year-round by park visitors. It will also include a learning center providing a unique educational opportunity about Milwaukee’s environmental infrastructure and the city’s history in the urbanization and productive use of land and water and the consequences of their overuse.

The growing popularity of the park, Milwaukee’s increasingly activated and pedestrian-friendly downtown shoreline, and the access the park provides to Lake Michigan demands an investment in basic visitor amenities. These services will ensure this special urban greenspace lives up to its full potential as a destination for hands-on education, community gatherings, recreation, and relaxing in nature.

Board Diversity Policy

The Friends of Lakeshore State Park, a Nonprofit Organization, is committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where all board members, staff, volunteers, and members feel respected and valued regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation or identity, disability, or educational background.

DNR Staff

Board Members

Directors At-Large

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