Dragon Boat Festival Returns to Lakeshore State Park
The Friends of Lakeshore State Park are excited to have our beautiful park as host site for the Milwaukee Chinese Community Center’s Dragon Boat Festival.
We will be in the race with our team “Fishful Thinking” and helping provide volunteers for the event too.
The festival is solely run by volunteers, with the intent of promoting camaraderie and Chinese culture in the Greater Milwaukee area. If interested, please sign up below and fill in your information.
Areas needing help include Friday set up, registration, parking, marshaling, trash management, the beer tent and Saturday take down. After completing the form, a festival volunteer coordinator will contact you.
If you volunteer, please check in at the MCCC registration tent 15 minutes prior to your volunteer time to receive further instructions.
Please let us know if you’ll be volunteering by sending a quick reply to this email. And stop by our team tent during race day to say hello and grab a cold drink and snack.
Kids’ Guide to Leave No Trace at Lakeshore State Park
Every family visit to Lakeshore State Park is a chance to take great care of Milwaukee’s urban oasis for everyone to enjoy!
When your family explores the trails, watches birds by the lagoon, or enjoys a picnic with Lake Michigan as your backdrop, you’re part of something special. Lakeshore State Park belongs to all of us, and that means we all get to be its caretakers. The Leave No Trace principles help families like yours make sure this beautiful space stays healthy and welcoming for every visitor who comes after you.
Think of Leave No Trace as your guide for outdoor adventures. These seven simple principles turn every park visit into an opportunity to care for nature while having amazing experiences together.
Principle 1: Plan Ahead & Prepare
Be the family that’s ready for anything!
Before you head to the park, spend a few minutes planning your adventure. Check the weather forecast and dress in layers—Lake Michigan can create surprising breezes! Pack everything you’ll need, including plenty of water, snacks, and a small bag for any trash you create.
Family Planning Tips:
Bring reusable water bottles for everyone
Pack snacks in containers you can take home
Check park hours and any special events happening
Let kids help choose which trails to explore using the park map
Planning ahead means more time for fun and less time worrying about forgotten essentials.
Principle 2: Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
Stick to the paths and protect the plants!
Lakeshore State Park’s trails and designated areas are designed to handle lots of visitors while protecting the prairie plants and lakefront habitat. When your family stays on marked trails and uses established picnic areas, you’re helping preserve the native plants that make this urban park so special.
Trail Adventures for Kids:
Make it a game to spot the trail markers and stay on path
Teach kids to look for the “hidden highways” that animals use (but we don’t!)
Use boardwalks and viewing platforms to get close to wetland areas safely
Choose picnic tables and benches rather than sitting on fragile prairie plants
Your footsteps matter—every step on the trail helps protect the plants growing alongside it.
Principle 3: Dispose of Waste Properly
Pack it in, pack it out—leave only smiles behind!
Everything your family and friends bring to the park should come home with you, and you might even find some litter left by others that you can help clean up too.
Garbage Guardian:
Give each child their own small bag for collecting their own trash
Make a game of finding and properly disposing of litter (with adult help)
Use the park’s recycling bins correctly
Pack out banana peels, apple cores, and other food scraps—they don’t belong in urban parks
Remember: even “natural” waste like orange peels can take months to decompose and attract unwanted wildlife to areas where they shouldn’t be foraging.
Principle 4: Leave What You Find
Take pictures, not souvenirs!
Lakeshore State Park is full of treasures—interesting rocks, beautiful feathers, colorful shells from Lake Michigan’s shore. While it’s natural to want to take these home, leaving them in the park means other visitors can discover and enjoy them too.
Natural Treasure Hunters:
Take photos of cool finds instead of taking the objects
Create nature journals with drawings of discoveries
Use the park’s educational signs to learn about what you’re seeing
Remember that shells, rocks, and driftwood are homes and tools for park wildlife
Every rock, stick, and shell plays a role in the park’s ecosystem. When we leave them where we found them, we’re helping maintain the natural balance that makes Lakeshore State Park a thriving habitat in the heart of Milwaukee.
Principle 5: Minimize Campfire Impacts
Undertanding fire safety in the Park!
Lakeshore State Park doesn’t allow campfires or portable stoves to keep everyone safe and protect this urban natural space. This principle reminds us why fire restrictions exist and how we can still enjoy outdoor meals safely.
Safe Family Fun:
Pack cold lunches and snacks that don’t need heating (Grilling is strictly prohibited)
Use the park’s picnic tables for comfortable outdoor dining
Bring insulated containers to keep cold drinks cold and avoid needing ice
Understand that fire restrictions protect both visitors and wildlife in this urban setting
Even though we can’t have fires at Lakeshore State Park, we can still enjoy amazing outdoor meals together while keeping everyone safe and protecting this special place.
Principle 6: Respect Wildlife
Share the space with your wild neighbors!
Lakeshore State Park is home to birds, fish, small mammals, and countless insects that call this urban oasis home. Teaching children to observe wildlife from a distance helps protect both the animals and your family.
Wildlife Watching with Kids:
Bring binoculars for better views from a respectful distance
Never feed birds, ducks, or other wildlife—it makes them sick and dependent
Keep voices low near wildlife viewing areas
Stay on trails to avoid disturbing nesting areas
Take photos instead of trying to get closer
The birds and other creatures in the park are wild animals, even in this urban setting. Respecting their space helps them thrive and gives your friends and family better opportunities to observe natural behaviors.
Principle 7: Be Considerate of Others
Make everyone feel welcome!
Lakeshore State Park brings together visitors from all over Milwaukee and beyond. Being considerate means everyone gets to enjoy the peaceful, natural experience they came for.
Thoughtful Family Visitors:
Keep music and voices at levels that don’t disturb others
Share popular spots like the lighthouse viewing area
Clean up picnic areas completely when you’re done
Be patient and friendly when trails are busy
Help younger children understand park etiquette
When visitors are considerate of each other, everyone leaves with positive memories and a desire to return.
Growing Future Park Caretakers
Every time your family practices Leave No Trace principles at Lakeshore State Park, you’re doing more than protecting nature—you’re raising children who understand their role as environmental caretakers. These lessons learned by Lake Michigan will travel with your kids to every outdoor adventure they have throughout their lives.
The principles might seem simple, but their impact is profound. When children learn to plan ahead, respect wildlife, and leave places better than they found them, they develop the mindset needed to tackle larger environmental challenges as they grow up.
Lakeshore State Park exists because people like you believe Milwaukee deserves access to nature, environmental education, and outdoor recreation right in the heart of our city. By practicing Leave No Trace principles, your family becomes part of the solution—ensuring this remarkable urban park remains healthy, beautiful, and welcoming for generations to come.
Every family visit is an opportunity to model environmental stewardship, create lasting memories, and contribute to the legacy of this special place. When you pack out your trash, stay on trails, and respect wildlife, you’re not just following rules—you’re actively participating in the care and protection of Milwaukee’s premier urban natural space.
Pack your sense of adventure, bring your curiosity, and get ready to be park heroes. Lakeshore State Park is waiting for your family’s next Leave No Trace adventure!
Hands-on Project Teaches Water Stewardship and Environmental Awareness
On a beautiful Tuesday in May, something special happened at Milwaukee’s own urban oasis, Lakeshore State Park. Students rotated through interactive, water-focused learning stations led by local scientists and environmental educators as part of the Milwaukee Water Investigation Project.
“The whole goal of this project is to connect students with their local waterways and then all of the partners working in water,” explained Kae DonLevy, co-creator and manager of Milwaukee Water’s Investigation. “Where do we get our drinking water? Lake Michigan. So, it is so important that we keep the land clean and the rivers clean so the waters that flow into Lake Michigan are as clean as they can be.”
Students from across Milwaukee recently gathered at Lakeshore State Park for hands-on environmental education that exemplifies our mission in action.
The success of programs like the Milwaukee Water Investigation Project showcases what’s possible when community partners unite around a shared vision. When scientists step away from their labs to teach by the lakefront, when educators design hands-on activities that make complex concepts accessible, when organizations coordinate resources to create seamless learning experiences—that’s when transformation happens. These collaborations don’t emerge overnight; they’re cultivated through relationship-building, shared commitment, and the recognition that investing in environmental education requires the entire community working together. Programs like this demonstrate the profound impact that dedicated educational spaces can have on young learners.
Your Support Makes These Moments Possible
Imagine this same energy and engagement amplified year-round. Picture students gathering not just on beautiful spring days, but throughout Milwaukee’s seasons, diving deep into environmental education within a purpose-built learning center. That vision is becoming reality through the development of a new Visitor and Education Center at Lakeshore State Park.
Every student who rotated through the learning stations at Lakeshore State Park carried home new knowledge about their environment. Some will pursue careers in environmental science. Others will become more conscious consumers, better neighbors, more engaged citizens. All experienced the power of experiential learning in one of Milwaukee’s most treasured spaces.
The Friends of Lakeshore State Park has launched a $5 million campaign to build this Visitor and Education Center. Your support makes possible the expansion of transformative programming, the creation of year-round educational opportunities, and the development of essential visitor services that welcome everyone to engage with nature and environmental stewardship.
Enhanced Learning Opportunities: A dedicated learning center offering unique educational programming about Milwaukee’s environmental infrastructure and the city’s relationship with land and water
Community Gathering Space: Seating for 50 people at tables, creating space for workshops, presentations, and community meetings
Year-Round Programming: Two outdoor patios and accessible facilities that enable programming in all seasons
Essential Visitor Services: Family restrooms and DNR office space to better serve park visitors
The learning center will provide unique educational opportunities about Milwaukee’s environmental infrastructure and the city’s complex history with land and water use. Students will explore the consequences of urbanization alongside the innovative solutions our community continues to develop. These aren’t abstract concepts—they’re the stories of our shared home, told through hands-on experiences that make environmental science tangible and relevant.
With dedicated space for programming, educators can expand beyond single-day events to offer deeper, more sustained learning experiences. The impact multiplies when curiosity sparked in one session can be nurtured through ongoing engagement and exploration.
Meeting Growing Demand
The success of programs like the Milwaukee Water Investigation Project reflects a broader trend. Lakeshore State Park’s popularity continues to grow as Milwaukee’s downtown shoreline becomes increasingly activated and pedestrian-friendly. Families, school groups, and community organizations are discovering this urban oasis and the unique access it provides to Lake Michigan.
This growing demand highlights the need for enhanced visitor amenities and dedicated educational infrastructure. The Visitor and Education Center will ensure this special urban greenspace can fulfill its potential as a destination for hands-on education, community gatherings, recreation, and meaningful connection with nature.
Ready to make waves with us?
Learn more about our Visitor and Education Center campaign and discover how you can help create a legacy for future generations of environmental stewards.
Source: Original reporting by CBS 58 Milwaukee, “Hometown students gather for hands-on, eco-friendly learning,” May 13, 2025.
Deadelijk performs live at Radio Milwaukee
Benefit Concert for Friends of Lakeshore Park
Thursday, June 5, 2025
Doors @ 6PM | Music @ 630PM
Radio Milwaukee
220 East Pittsburgh Avenue
Get ready for an electrifying night deadicated to Lakeshore State Park
Join us as Milwaukee’s own Deadelijk performs live at Radio Milwaukee, located at 220 East Pittsburgh Avenue, on Thursday, June 5, 2025. This incredible show is a direct benefit for the Friends of Lakeshore Park, helping to support and enhance our beloved green spaces. The doors swing open at 6PM, with the music kicking off at 6:30PM – don’t miss your chance to experience fantastic local talent and contribute to a vital community initiative, all for a suggested donation of just $15!
“Playing in the band” and busting out the jams!!!
Deadelijk is a group of Milwaukee based musicians who interpret Grateful Dead music and revel in the spirit of improvisation that the music inspires.
While the world may not need yet another Dead cover band, the power of this music to bring people together in celebration of life is undeniable. Our hope is to take audiences on a journey utilizing the tunes we all love so much as the vehicle. Hop on the bus and let’s take this trip together!
Spring is in Full Swing at Lakeshore State Park! Spring has arrived, and Lakeshore State Park is bursting with life! We recently completed a successful spring cleanup in partnership with Milwaukee Riverkeeper, and we’re grateful to all the volunteers who pitched in to help. Earlier this spring, we also conducted a controlled burn to rejuvenate the prairie landscape. Now, with fresh growth and warmer days, the park is ready to welcome visitors — and migrating birds.
This time of year, you might spot Red-breasted Mergansers, Lesser Scaup, Buffleheads, and Horned Grebes moving through the area, especially near the pedestrian bridge and marina. Songbirds and warblers are also making their return, bringing sound and color to the shoreline and grasslands.
May is packed with events and opportunities to enjoy the park, from nature walks to educational programs. Whether you’re a regular visitor or it’s your first time, there’s never been a better moment to stop by. Come out, soak up the fresh air, and enjoy everything Lakeshore State Park has to offer this spring!
Welcoming Our Incoming President, Melissa Shaw
Melissa Shaw is a Project Manager for Xylem in their Wastewater Treatment Division, a role which naturally lends itself to working to protect, enhance, and promote our urban, lakeside park. She willingly takes on leadership roles and advocates on behalf of the park everywhere she goes! She and her husband Andrew and their two young children can be seen at many FLSP events. She is passionate about serving our community, spreading the word of the importance of protecting our water resources, and enhancing our beautiful lakefront park. Melissa would like to extend her heartfelt thanks to our previous Board President, David Wenstrup about who she says “it is an honor to follow in his footsteps”. Melissa’s commitment, energy, experience, management expertise, and smile ensure that FLSP will thrive under her leadership.
Welcome, Melissa!
Upcoming Events
May 11th: Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day at Lakeshore State Park8am-11am
Birds migrate thousands of miles each year in search of perfect breeding habitats. Milwaukee is both an endpoint and a stopover for birds. Learn about migration and what makes Lakeshore State Park such an excellent stopover. Start at the south entrance for all activities. Drop in and stay for as long as you want.
8:00 and 10:00 Bird walk
8:30-10:30 Migration game throughout the park with the Wisconsin DNR
Creating a good bird habitat with the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District
Clean water for us and birds with Milwaukee Riverkeeper
Bird identification with Milwaukee Birders
What birds nest at the Park? Intro to Purple Martins, Tree Swallows, and Bluebirds
Sunday, May 18: Bee Hike 3:30-4:30pm
Bees have emerged from their long winter’s nap and are out and about in the park once more. Join our Educator for a hike and learn about the importance of bees as well as the threats they face. Meet our naturalist at the park’s south entrance. All ages and abilities welcome!
Wednesday, May 21: Bubble Hike 5-6pm
As the days become longer, beach bonfires return to Lakeshore State Park! Come join us at Pebble Beach to make s’mores, enjoy the cozy fire, and get to know our park staff at our first bonfire of 2024. Donations for s’mores are welcome, but not required and benefit the Friends of Lakeshore State Park. Meet at Pebble Beach, along the park’s western path. All ages and abilities welcome!
Wednesday, May 21: Beach Bonfire 6-8:30pm
As the days become longer, beach bonfires return to Lakeshore State Park! Come join us at Pebble Beach to make s’mores, enjoy the cozy fire, and get to know our park staff at our first bonfire of 2024. Donations for s’mores are welcome, but not required and benefit the Friends of Lakeshore State Park. Meet at Pebble Beach, along the park’s western path. All ages and abilities welcome!
Saturday, May 24: Spring Scavenger Hunt 9:30-10:30am
Love a good scavenger hunt? If so, come and pick up a check list of items to search for while you enjoy a walk throughout the park. This event is suitable for all ages and abilities. Starting point will be at the south entrance of the park.
Sunday, May 25: Urban Bird Hike 9:30-10:30am
Lakeshore State Park is home to over 70 native and migratory species of birds, and the spring is an excellent time to spot some of our returning friends! Join us on a morning hike to learn the basics of bird watching and seek out some of these beautiful species. Each bird hike is unique as migration causes our residents to change throughout the year. All ages and abilities are welcome, meet at the park’s south entrance. We recommend bringing your own binoculars, but a small amount are available to those who need them. Please inquire by May 22 to reserve a pair!
Save the Date
June 7: Reptile Hike 9:30am-10:30am (part of Discovery World Turtle Fest) June 8: Walk Milwaukee Birders 8:00am-10:00am / Free Fishing Weekend 12-3pm June 18: Sunflowers and Suncatchers (at the beach) 5-6pm / Beach Bonfire 6-8:30pm June 22: Wildflowers of Lakeshore 3:30-4:30pm June 29: Urban Bird Hike 9:30am-10:30am
What We’ve Been Up To!
Children’s Prairie Accessibility Upgrade
Visitors to the Children’s Prairie Education Area can now enjoy smoother, more accessible trails, thanks to the Rotary Club of Milwaukee and its partners. With support from the Wisconsin DNR, volunteers from the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, Rotaract Club of Milwaukee, and Friends of Lakeshore State Park we replaced old dirt and wood chip paths with crushed-stone trails. These new surfaces improve access for wheelchairs, strollers, and all visitors.
The project was funded in part by two Rotary District 6270 grants, totaling $6,000. Volunteers worked alongside contractors to complete the renovation. Park Manager Elaine Zautke praised the collaboration, noting that the new trails enhance field trips and hikes, making the area fully accessible and more enjoyable for all. Rotarian and Friends member Susan Frautschi added, “It was a great group effort that made the prairie more inviting for educational programs. Ongoing efforts will include bench painting, prairie planting, and invasive species removal- ensuring continued care for this unique space.
Milwaukee River Keepers
The Milwaukee River Keepers met on Saturday, April 26th for a April Clean out. A lot of fun was had as well as a lot of treasures found!
Wisconsin Kiters!
Wisconsin Kiters were on Lake Shore State Park.
Where Can You Help?
Help Out at Lakeshore State Park – Join the Prairie Pals!
Looking for a hands-on way to support Lakeshore State Park? Join the Lakeshore State Park Prairie Pals, a volunteer group supported by the Garden Club of Greater Milwaukee and the Wisconsin DNR. The Prairie Pals play a key role in beautifying and maintaining the park’s natural spaces. Volunteers help with tasks like removing invasive plants, planting native grasses, phorbs, and perennials, and caring for the seating oasis garden, a recent project made possible through a generous grant.
Starting May 6, the Prairie Pals will meet every other Tuesday from 10 AM to 12 PM. No experience is necessary — just a love of the outdoors and a willingness to dig in! Gardening tools are provided, but feel free to bring your own. Come get your hands dirty, meet new people, and help keep Lakeshore State Park thriving.
Membership with the Friends of Lakeshore State Park helps ensure the continued growth and protection of the Park in many ways including maintaining trails, enhancing habitat for our resident foxes and other wildlife, and promoting environmental education programs that inspire visitors of all ages.
As a member, you will contribute directly to vital conservation initiatives and ongoing improvement projects. Your support is essential to the continued success of the Park.
January brought us record breaking cold weather and the Lakeshore State Park lagoon finally froze over.
While folks looking to ice fish were excited to see this change, the park’s waterfowl may not have been as enthusiastic. Migrating birds need open water to stay warm and feed, and so can often be found congregating close to the park’s pedestrian bridge and marina. In the past few weeks, birders have enjoyed viewing the many waterfowl such as the Greater and Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Canvasback, and Red-breasted Merganser. The warmer recent weather has melted much of the ice which is now dangerously thin. When colder weather does return, be sure to dress appropriately while enjoying our park, a winter bird haven next to the city!
Upcoming Events
Sunday, February 9th: Second Sunday Bird Walk: 8:30AM-10:00AM
Join experienced birders from Milwaukee Birders and Friends of Lakeshore State Park for a bird walk through the park. Birds identified will be tracked using eBird. Scopes will be available for viewing distant birds. Bring your binoculars, all ages and abilities welcome! Please contact https://milwaukeebirders.org for more information on this and other bird walks available in the area.
Sunday Birders at Lakeshore State Park, winter of 2024 (photo by David Wenstrup)
Save the Date
Sunday, March 9th: Second Sunday Bird Walk: 8:30AM-10:00AM
Do you want to help plan or volunteer with events? Please complete a volunteer interest form!
A Message from Outgoing President, David Wenstrup
Dear Readers- a little over three years ago, I accepted the role of board president of our Friends organization. It has been an honor to serve, and I am grateful for the wonderful experiences I’ve had with our volunteers, board and committee members, the DNR, and community partners, all who help make our park a special place. While my term ended in December of last year, I look forward to continued volunteering in various ways with FLSP, including participating at our upcoming events!
Now I am thrilled to introduce you to our next president, Melissa Shaw! I met Melissa while volunteering at environmental education events, hosted by Milwaukee Riverkeeper among other organizations, where I was struck by her enthusiasm.
She joined our board in June of 2023, quickly demonstrating a passion for the park and willingness to use her talent to help advance the work of the Friends, contributing with several of our committees while also serving as Vice President for the past two years.
Melissa is a Project Manager for Xylem in their Wastewater Treatment Division, a role which naturally lends itself to working to protect, enhance and promote our urban, lakeside park. She willingly takes on leadership roles and advocates on behalf of the park everywhere she goes! She and her husband Andrew and their two young children can be seen at many FLSP events. She is passionate about serving our community, spreading the word of the importance of protecting our water resources and enhancing our beautiful lakefront park. Melissa’s commitment, energy, experience, management expertise and smile ensure that FLSP will thrive under her leadership – welcome Melissa!
All Aboard All Hands Boatworks!
One way to get through the winter months around Milwaukee is to plan outdoor activities for the warmer months which can be enjoyed on our beautiful lakefront, rivers, and inland lakes.This mindset certainly is true at All Hands Boatworks, Inc. (AHB) a nonprofit youth development organization based in Milwaukee. Now in its 12th year, AHB offers a broad range of project-based, hands-on learning for youths from 10 to 21 years old, including introductory boatbuilding, a semester-long shop class, after-school teen mentoring and skills, trade skills explorations, summer camps, and of course, on-the-water boating activities.
AHB has made a positive impact for so many in our community! Over the years, they have mentored more than 6,500 Milwaukee-area youths, guiding them through the construction of over 155 wooden boats used for rowing, paddling, and sailing our local waters.
A variety of boats are built, ranging from prams and rowboats to kayaks, canoes, sailboats, and 24’ rowing gigs. For many youths in our area, these projects are their initial introduction to boating, sometimes their first connection to Milwaukee’s urban rivers and lakefront, a connection made more powerful with boats built using their own hands!
Through their “Boats For All Folks” initiative, AHB aims to expand small boating activities for families and the broader community, engaging more in meaningful and safe on-the-water recreation and encouraging an appreciation of our urban natural resources. Programs include free community rowing days, group rowing and teambuilding, youth day camps, and a youth rowing program.
In recent years, AHB has held several memorable on-water programs for school groups at Lake Shore State Park. Looking ahead, AHB is working to collaborate with FLSP and the Wisconsin DNR to find ways to enhance the experience of Park visitors through their programs, enabling more people to enjoy the beautiful natural resource we have right here on Milwaukee’s doorstep!
For more information, visit www.allhandsboatworks.org. for information about youth programs, community workshops, and volunteer opportunities. AHB’s boat shop and offices are located in the Walker’s Point neighborhood at 621 S. 12th Street, Milwaukee (414-404-8213).
Membership Matters
Membership with the Friends of Lakeshore State Park helps ensure the continued growth and protection of the Park in many ways including maintaining trails, enhancing habitat for our resident foxes and other wildlife, and promoting environmental education programs that inspire visitors of all ages.
As a member, you will contribute directly to vital conservation initiatives and ongoing improvement projects. Your support is essential to the continued success of the Park.
