This ice report is updated when Humboldt Park Friends receives communication on ice condition from Milwaukee County Parks. Ice skaters should use information posted at the park lagoon for final safety status. Always stay off the lagoon when ice is too thin.
Humboldt Park – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Humboldt Park covers 73 acres in the Bay View neighborhood. Each year, thousands of people take advantage of the beautiful scenery, cultural events, and numerous amenities. The park houses an outdoor music stage, park pavilion, war memorial, rambling trails, picnic areas, and lagoons. An extensive list of events provide visitors with plenty of reasons to enjoy Humboldt Park.
Humboldt Park Friends invite you to learn more about events, attractions, and scenery that make this park special to the neighborhood and visitors.
Our Mission
Humboldt Park Friends is a non-profit organization focused on engaging the Bay View neighborhood and greater Milwaukee communities and fostering park stewardship through volunteering, preserving park history, improving park amenities and safety, and sponsoring events and programming for education and enjoyment of Humboldt Park.
Our History
Humboldt Park is one of six parks created when the city of Milwaukee established a Parks Commission in 1890. The park was originally named South Park and opened to the public in 1891. Its original 45 acres were completely fenced in. Extensive park construction occurred in 1893.
Amenities
Humboldt Park offers an impressive blend of natural beauty with events and amenities creating an enjoyable urban park experience. There are many amenities that the community can take advantage of. Discover More >
Become a Member
Membership in Humboldt Park Friends enables you to vote for board leadership, support park programming and events, and help support our mission.
News
Looking for a lasting gift?
Give a tree before Dec. 31 and enjoy a tax write-off! Humboldt Park Friends’ 100 for Humboldt program is replacing trees that have been cut down in recent years because of disease, infestation, or weather damage. The goal is to plant 100 established hardwood trees...
Humboldt Park Friends Volunteers maintain lagoon shoreline
Volunteers in boots and waders braved chilly temperatures on October 24 to cut cattails below the water’s surface and remove other invasive plants from the shoreline at two areas along the lagoon in Humboldt Park.
Volunteers Create Halloween Scavenger Hunt for Kids in Bay View’s Humboldt Park
Humboldt Park Friends wanted to create a fun, family-friendly activity that allows for social distancing since trick-or-treating has been canceled this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Haunted Halloween Hunt will provide outdoor exercise for children and families in a safe and colorful setting.
Humboldt Park Friends featured during the CBS58 Sunday Morning show
As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. In which case, a local designer is speaking volumes about Humboldt Park. He’s been photographing the 73 acre park for years, and now he’s helping to raise awareness of the Bay View gem.
On a rainy September evening, Canadian geese can be heard honking as they come in for a landing at the park. Ignacio Catral sees the beauty in the park, no matter the weather.
Positively milwaukee with Carole Meekins features Humboldt Park Friends
MILWAUKEE — Photographs and memories, just some of what 50-year-old Ignacio Catral shares with the world.
He captures the splendor of Bay View’s Humboldt Park through images past and present. They go on social media reminding us of the emerald jewels, the Milwaukee County Park System.
“To have all these open spaces in a densely populated area, I think our city leaders really thought about preserving areas where people can enjoy nature. That’s a great amenity that Milwaukee has,” said Catral.
Coronavirus Cancels Humboldt Park Easter Egg Hunt
MILWAUKEE (March 16, 2020) — Heeding the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Milwaukee County Parks Department, Humboldt Park Friends (HPF) has canceled its annual Easter Egg Hunt that was scheduled for Saturday, March 28. Pancake...
Humboldt Park Friends 2019 Annual Report
Thank you for your interest and involvement in Humboldt Park. 2019 was a good year for Humboldt Park Friends, the year started with The Park People of Milwaukee naming Humboldt Park Friends, friends group of the year. We are honored by this recognition and owe it to...
Volunteers Remove Cattails From Humboldt Park Lagoon
BAY VIEW (October 12, 2019) – Volunteers in boots and waders braved chilly temperatures on October 12 to cut cattails below the water’s surface and remove other invasive plants from the shoreline at several areas along the 125-year-old lagoon in Humboldt Park. Approximately one ton of vegetation was removed in a four-hour period. The cattails and other vegetation is being composted by Compost Crusaders.
Tree Day 2019
Nearly 180 first graders from five Bay View schools participated in the 21st annual Tree Day celebration at Humboldt Park.
The students enjoyed walking tours of the park to learn to identify trees, birds and animals and also worked together to build a “tree” in a craft workshop led by Wehr Nature Center staff.
Volunteers needed for Cattail cut on Saturday, Oct. 12 9 a.m.
HPF is doing cattail cut on Saturday, Oct., 12 9 a.m. – 12:30/1 p.m. We’ll have some tools, but folks are encouraged to bring their own gloves, shovels, rakes, and loppers/hedge trimmers.
May General Meeting Minutes
Park Meeting 5/2/19
Tree Update
We share and appreciate your care for the park.
After many inquiries, HPF contacted the County about all the trees that were cut down. Most of the trees that have been cut down were infected by Emerald Ash Borer, and were cut in an effort to remove the hazardous trees from the public spaces before they become critical and fail. Some were cut due to their age and to protect park users and wildlife.
