Milwaukee City Wire

Milwaukee Recreation celebrated its 2024 summer successes by continuing its mission to enrich and strengthen the community through various recreational and educational programs. These initiatives aimed to promote healthy lifestyles, personal development, and fun for all participants.

The organization offered numerous free and low-cost programs throughout the year, with a significant emphasis during the summer. These included youth and adult enrichment classes, sports leagues, camps, fitness opportunities, safe spaces for young people, life skills education, partnerships with local organizations, and community investments such as playfield renovations.

Key partnerships this summer included collaboration with the Green Bay Packers to send 32 Special Olympics athletes to the Exceptional Abilities Flag Football Tournament in Ashwaubenon. Additionally, Milwaukee Recreation worked with MSOE and Rufus King HS girls varsity basketball team to host a coed youth sports basketball camp attended by 55 students.

The pilot program A.S.P.I.R.E., which provided enrichment opportunities in areas like sewing, dance, and music for children aged 3-12 at seven child care camp programs, was launched successfully. Milwaukee Recreation also supported 40 Partnership for the Arts & Humanities grantees offering programming in Afro-Latino musical traditions, poetry, environmental stewardship among other topics.

Other notable efforts included providing paid arts internships for 56 high school students across 14 local arts organizations and partnering with Betty Brinn Children's Museum for activities at summer playgrounds. The Rec. 'N' Roll Mobile brought recreation to families with limited access through six visits each to four community organizations.

Collaborations continued with the Medical College of Wisconsin on wellness classes and swim lessons were provided to over 500 participants through partnerships within MPS. Equine-assisted activities were made available to over 75 Club Rec campers through MKE Urban Stables.

Free meals were served at playground sites in partnership with Milwaukee Center for Independence from June 20 - Aug. 16. Summer Stars Basketball hosted ten teams representing four community-based organizations at Madison High School.

Employ Milwaukee helped staff Camp RISE at North Division High School while Milwaukee Recreation operated Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers serving over 3,500 youth. Field trips offered unique experiences including visits to Bastille Days and Brewers games.

Twilight Centers welcomed nearly 900 students who engaged in various activities while Special Olympics Team Milwaukee athletes participated in state tournaments. The MilWALKee Walking Club and Community Bike Rides encouraged healthy lifestyles among over 300 individuals.

Youth engaged in mountain biking through collaborations with Minority Mountain Bikers groups while Traveling Adventures field trips served more than 400 playground participants visiting destinations like the Milwaukee County Zoo.

Employee wellness events included sand volleyball tournaments while free yoga classes attracted over 200 participants across multiple parks. Bubble Bash foam parties entertained over 200 youths at six playgrounds.

Men's Basketball Late Night League provided competitive opportunities for ages 17-29 while an Esports lab was built at Cass Street School in partnership with Spectrum Industries and the Milwaukee Bucks.

Field trips for older adults resumed along with employee golf outings supported by sponsors. Renovation plans progressed across several playfields including Lincoln Playfield set to begin construction by end of year.

Design work continued on new facilities like the Milwaukee Recreation Community Center scheduled for construction start in 2025 alongside ongoing ESSER III projects anticipated completion this fall. Outreach began for Cass Playfield renovation aligning it with a green schoolyard project expected under construction by 2026.

Renovations commenced at Wick Playfield targeting fall completion while Modrzejewski Playfield aims for summer next year completion following Stark and Carmen Playfields grand reopenings earlier this season.

Overnight camps funded by ESSER III sent MPS students across Wisconsin covering all associated costs ensuring accessibility regardless of financial background.

Volleyball camps focused on fundamentals saw participation from grades four-eight doubling previous year's numbers alongside Gold Glove T-Ball Instructional League expanding significantly from last season's attendance figures introducing basic baseball rules fostering sportsmanship teamwork values among young players.

Summer soccer camp catered ages seven-fourteen introducing basic skills enhancing both beginner intermediate player capabilities rounding out diverse array programming ensuring enriching fulfilling experiences spanning wide age demographic encompassing varied interests needs reflecting overarching mission enriching strengthening broader community context fostering inclusive engaging environment all involved parties stakeholders alike contributing collective success achievements observed celebrated throughout past season marking another milestone organizational history commitment service excellence public good aligned strategic objectives long-term vision sustainability growth continuous improvement future endeavors forthcoming initiatives planned upcoming periods ahead building foundation laid prior accomplishments progress achieved thus far towards overall goal attainment desired outcomes positive impacts realized beneficiaries served directly indirectly extending reach influence broader societal level ultimately driving forward shared aspirations common purpose unified effort collaborative spirit underlying core principles guiding philosophy operational ethos defining characteristics institutional identity organizational culture distinctively unique hallmark trademark signature brand synonymous quality reliability trustworthiness integrity dedication passion unwavering commitment unwaveringly steadfast resolve persistent pursuit excellence unwaveringly steadfast resolve persistent pursuit excellence unwaveringly steadfast resolve persistent pursuit excellence unwaveringly steadfast resolve persistent pursuit excellence unwaveringly steadfast resolve persistent pursuit excellence