I wish a Happy New Year to Humboldt Park Friends members and volunteers. It was a busy year in 2015 for our organization, and we have much to be proud of. I want to highlight a few accomplishments:
Eater Egg Hunt
After weeks of planning and many volunteer hours, the annual Easter Egg Hunt started and ended in a flash. Approximately 300 kids participated, ranging between 2 and 12 years old. The hunt included over 3,000 candy-filled eggs and 3 golden eggs with gift cards for Bounce Milwaukee.
Please thank and support the event sponsors: Bounce Milwaukee, Walgreens Pharmacy on Howell Avenue and Target on Chase Avenue.
Boy Scout Troop 108, from Immaculate Conception Parish, filled 3,000 eggs with candy. Kindergarten and first grade students from Bay View area schools created event flyers to post in schools, the Bay View library and local businesses. Community volunteers helped hide eggs in the morning prior to the event’s start time.
The 2016 Easter Egg Hunt is Saturday, March 19.
Bocce Fest
Bocce Fest continues to grow as a park event and fundraiser for HPF. In 2015, nearly $2,300 was raised for the organization! Twenty teams competed in a double-elimination Bocce tournament for cash prizes. With live music, great food, drinks and children’s games, the event was welcoming to competitors, spectators, and the entire Bay View community.
HPF is grateful for the support from countless volunteers and sponsors including Avalon Theater, Humboldt Park Beer Garden, Halling & Cayo S.C., While You Were Out Pet Sitting Services, Bird Ladder, The Two For You, Toni Spott, Troubadour Bakery, Great Northern, Giuseppe Garibaldi Society, Rushmor Records, Tenuta’s Italian Restaurant, Door County Fish Boil, Concours Motors and Milwaukee County Parks.
Mark your calendars; Bocce Fest 2016 is Saturday, August 13.
Corn Roast
Our annual Corn Roast sold out by intermission at Chill on the Hill. We raised over $600! Thank you to both Pick N’ Save and Landmark Credit Union for your sponsorship.
Tree Day
Tree Day is an educational environment program free and open to first grade students from Bay View public and private schools. Students learn to identify a variety of trees and participate in planting new trees in Humboldt Park. Tree Day also includes a guided nature walk through the park, art activities, and stories.
This year, 225 students from Trowbridge School of Great Lakes Studies, Humboldt Park Elementary School, St. Lucas Lutheran School and Parkside School of the Arts attended. New to the program this year included the assistance from two naturalists from Milwaukee County Parks who, along with other volunteers, conducted nature walks.
HPF is indebted to its program partners including Milwaukee County Parks, the City of Milwaukee’s Urban Forestry Department and community volunteers who invested a large amount of time towards the event’s success.
Park Pavilion Improvements
If you have not noticed, a new bubbler was installed in August. HPF purchased the bubbler, and Milwaukee County Parks facilitated the installation.
HPF hired an architect to develop bathroom renovation plans. HPF, St. Francis Brewery and Milwaukee County Parks are working together to carry the project forward. There is a great deal of work that must first be completed before renovations can take place. For example, asbestos and other contaminants must be removed before contractors can address plumbing challenges.
Beer Garden
St. Francis Brewery continues to be a significant partner with HPF. Beginning in 2015, 5% of all beer garden sales are placed in a maintenance fund dedicated to Humboldt Park. This amounted to roughly $11,500. In addition, 10% of Monday sales were donated directly to HPF, totaling $920!
Beyond the percentage of sales, St. Francis Brewery invested over $20,000 into the pavilion last year. This included cosmetic improvements and electrical repairs to the kitchen, hallway and Bavarian room (warming room for ice skaters). A grease trap was also installed in the kitchen. These are investments that would never have taken place without the beer garden. Please thank and show your support to St. Francis Brewery. We look forward to a continued partnership in 2016.
Park Comprehensive Plan
HPF and Milwaukee County Parks are working together to create a comprehensive plan for Humboldt Park. To begin the process, we hosted two community listening sessions which provided input for the plan’s development. A third listening session will be hosted in early 2016.
New Website
HPF launched a new, mobile friendly website. The improved site includes registration capabilities for events, gallery of historic photos and updated imagery. In 2016, online payments will be integrated for membership fees, donations and event registrations. A quarterly newsletter will be posted on the website.
Stone Piers
The lagoon has three stone piers which have deteriorated over the past 10 years. HPF began repairs in autumn. The project will be finished this spring.
Looking Ahead to 2016
HPF has many exciting programs and initiatives for the new year.
Ice Skating
Our committee, Humboldt Park Bay View Ice Skaters, has a dedicated group of volunteers maintaining the lagoon for ice skating. HPF owns two commercial grade snow throwers to facilitate the process. Our website has an ice condition report so the community knows when the ice is safe for skating this winter.
Security Cameras
HPF and St. Francis Brewery are selecting a security camera system for key areas of the pavilion. Upon review and approval from Milwaukee County Parks, HPF and St. Francis Brewery will split the cost.
Cigarette Garbage For Park Pavilion
HPF received approval to purchase a cigarette disposal station outside the pavilion. This will reduce cigarette butt litter surrounding the main entrance.
Lagoon
In November, HPF and Milwaukee County Parks discussed the condition of the park lagoon. There is substantial cattail overgrowth, algae problems and poor aeration. There is no simple solution. In 2016, HPF will work with the County Parks Department to develop a real, effective plan to reclaim and maintain the lagoon.
Pavilion Bathrooms
Milwaukee County Parks, St. Francis Brewery and HPF are working together to secure funding and begin bathroom remodeling. Our goal is to do it right and have a finished project which will last decades to come.
Junior Park Stewards Program
Humboldt Park Ranger Program Patches
A new program will launch this spring: the Humboldt Park Junior Stewards. Similar to the National Parks’ Junior Park Ranger program, children will have the opportunity to complete educational tasks in our park to become a junior park steward. Much like Tree Day, this program will instill an appreciation for and responsibility to Humboldt Park.
Closing
We have an ambitious, positive agenda for Humboldt Park this year. Thank you for your support both financially and by volunteering. You make a big impact on our park. If any of the events or programs interest you, consider volunteering. If you are not a supporting member, join. With your help, and a growing membership base, 2016 will be a great year.
Thank you,
Tim Richter
Humboldt Park Friends President
Humboldtparkmilwaukee.org