1. Milwaukee’s Central Park

2. When considering Milwaukee…

3. …, it is hard to imagine anything but an Urban enviornment…

4. Yet the framework of the city is based on three natural landmarks:

5.  1. Milwaukee River 2. Menomonee River 2. Kinnickinnic River

6. These waterways are what attracted settlers back in the 1800’s to the Milwaukee area.

7. Although originally meant for commerce and trade purposes…

8. Although originally meant for commerce and trade purposes…the aesthetic appeal rose with one man’s design.

9. The Milwaukee river area’s park system was drawn up by...

10. None other than Fredrick Olmstead,

11. None other than Fredrick Olmstead, the designer of Central Park In NY.

12. The Milwaukee River corridor is a natural oasis in the midst of a highly urban community, just like the one in the big apple…

13. ...So one would think, this could have the potential to be Milwaukee’s “Central Park”

14. Yet the population seems unaware of this natural wonder we have.

15. As nice as this area is, it still is not at its full potential.

16. The litter in the area can be reduced and not all of the pathways are that accessible

17. The River Revitalization Foundation is more aware of these problems than anyone.

18. Their aim is to not only address these problems but also to conserve the environment and further the greenway concept.

19. The RRF is approaching these things in six particular ways:

20. 1. Ensuring public access

21. 2. Preservation of the River Valley

22. 3. Preservation of a natural area in a dense urban area.

23. 4. Ensure that new development does not threaten the river area.

24. 5. Create links with neighborhoods on both sides of the river.

25. 6. Conservation of habitat and wildlife areas.

26. Once these are in place, hopefully they will have recreated the urban landscape, for the better.

27. In order for the RRF’s plan to take action, both sides of the river will have to take part. Both the wealthier and poorer neighborhoods will be apart of the reconstruction.

28. Reforming the river valley may actually bridge the gap between the varying neighborhoods and inequalities.

29. Cultivating the landscape, planting trees, or the work of the service learning in general; is more about getting people educated on the subject-spreading the word.

30. Hopefully the work we are doing with the RRF will not only have an impact locally, but spread to communities farther up the river, and then to other parts of the state, and then at a national and global scale.

42. If surrounding communities can follow our example, it would make it that much easier to start comparing our work to a larger scale.

43. By: Ryan Bender River Revitalization Foundation Geog 125