Milwaukee Recreation has announced plans to build a new community center and renovate a playfield in northwest Milwaukee. The groundbreaking event for the project is scheduled for Wednesday, September 10 at 9 a.m., with community members invited to join local leaders and Milwaukee Recreation staff.
The development involves expanding and renovating the former Browning School building located at North 76th Street and West Silver Spring Drive. The site covers 7.5 acres, including 4.1 acres dedicated to playfield space. Completion of the project is anticipated in early 2027.
Input from internal stakeholders, neighbors, and user groups will shape the design program and planned improvements through surveys, engagement sessions, listening sessions, and planning meetings.
Currently, Milwaukee Recreation operates only one full-service standalone community center—Beulah Brinton Community Center in southeast Milwaukee. Most programming occurs inside school buildings during non-school hours. There is also the OASIS Community Center on the south side serving older adults and individuals with disabilities.
With this new facility on the northwest side, Milwaukee Recreation aims to address service gaps by offering recreation, wellness, and sports programs for residents of all ages and abilities.
The playfield renovation is part of an ongoing initiative by Milwaukee Recreation to update 52 playfields across the city. So far, eleven full-scale renovations have been completed along with a tot lot renovation at Ohio Playfield. Renovations are also underway at Emigh Playfield, Lincoln Playfield, and Metcalfe Playfield.
“This new community center and playfield project includes a significant expansion and renovation of the former Browning School building that is located at N. 76th St. and W. Silver Spring Dr.” according to information provided by Milwaukee Recreation staff.
“With this new facility on the northwest side of the city, Milwaukee Recreation will be able to fill critical service gaps for a variety of recreation, wellness, and sports programming needs for community members of all ages and abilities,” stated officials from Milwaukee Recreation.
“The playfield renovation at this location is also part of a larger Milwaukee Recreation project to update 52 playfields throughout the city of Milwaukee.”
Further details about rendering concepts for the new community center can be found here. Information regarding broader efforts on playground revitalization is available here.
