President’s Message – June 2022

Making Lakeshore State Park a beautiful and thriving place takes a lot of work and your Friends organization plays a key role in making that happen.

We partner with the Wisconsin DNR and our community to support the park as Milwaukee’s premier lakefront destination for environmental and freshwater education, conservation, recreation, and outdoor enjoyment – for everyone!

Thanks to generous donations, memberships, and the support of the Friends over the past year, the park prairies have been further improved, the ADA-accessible fishing pier re-decked, the goose population remediated with a non-toxic solution, and multiple events held such as Cracking Arts Rebirth “swallows”, beach bonfires, and MKE Doors Open.

And as the season turns towards summer, Lakeshore State Park is again abuzz with activity! We’re excited about programs and events being planned. We’ve just add over 4,500 native prairie plants. Our grant-funded bilingual park educator has over a dozen educational events planned at the park in June alone – with much more to come!

The need for these kinds of programs grows, so won’t you please help the Friends of Lakeshore State Park continue the work to make our park a thriving lakefront destination for everyone?

Become a Park Pal or Prairie Patron today! This year joining or renewing at any level qualifies you for discounted rentals at Lakeshore Paddle Sport Rentals and Milwaukee Kayak Company. See the park from a new angle!

David Wenstrup
President, Board of Directors

President’s Message – May 2022

Earth Day turned out to be the nicest day yet this year in Milwaukee, and quite a day it was at Lakeshore State Park while 33 volunteers gathered 27 large bags of trash – thank you Milwaukee Riverkeeper and volunteers!

Looking for a group activity? Schedule a tour of the park, learn about upcoming events or volunteer opportunities, and the new process for volunteering with DNR-sponsored events.

We have an active, all-volunteer board. Recently we pitched and won a 2022 grant from Greater Milwaukee Foundation for a DNR naturalist educator for the season. We look forward to more groups taking advantage of the increased educational programing available as pandemic restrictions subside in the months ahead.

Do you have a passion for volunteering and want to help make our park and the Milwaukee lakefront thrive? Help us plan and support park events this summer! Other ways to help are available as well. If interested, please complete the form at this link and we’ll quickly get back with you.

In next month’s newsletter, please look for our membership appeal which will help ensure sufficient funding for park programs. Thank you for your continued support and we hope to see you out at the park soon!

David Wenstrup
President, Board of Directors

President’s Message – April 2022

It has been a long winter and, like many of us, Lakeshore State Park is more than ready to totally embrace Spring.

While Winter gave us interesting ice formations, colorful fishing huts on the frozen lagoon and birds such as goldeneye on open water, we are eager to welcome the return of red-wing blackbirds and more people enjoying the park – and with longer and warmer days, more organized activities will soon start here as well.

On April 23rd, our friends at Milwaukee Riverkeeper are sponsoring their annual, city-wide waterway cleanup. With over 80 locations, you will be able to join your friends and neighbors in this popular event that helps to keep our waterways clean and healthy. This also includes a free t-shirt and a Rock the Green after-party. For more information and to join in the fun at the park, register and select Lakeshore State Park.

April showers bring May flowers as the saying goes – and volunteers of the Milwaukee Art Museum Garden Club sure know about native flowering plants. I invite you to read Diane Bacha’s article about the great work these volunteers do to make Lakeshore State Park prairies beautiful.

In addition to the Garden Club, there are many ways to volunteer at Lakeshore State Park. Volunteering is a great way to make new friends, share your skills and give back to your community. Whether you like to work in enthusiastic groups or prefer to work alone, we have volunteer opportunities, from prairie restoration to greeting visitors, for everyone!

Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you as we all enjoy the many Spring wonders of our Lakeshore State Park.

David Wenstrup
President, Board of Directors