Your Parks

From 11am-3pm this Saturday, Sept. 12th the Friends of Bradford Beach will host the final of four Family Day events at Bradford Beach, 2400 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive.  So this is your last chance if you've missed the three previous ones.  The whole point of these Family Days is to bring families back to beach through family-friendly programming.  Take a close look at what they offer - sand castle building contests, a treasure hunt for prizes, kiddy volleyball courts, kiddie bike repair, a performance by Accompany of Kids, environmental activities by REI, back to school items donated by UPS, and how about this to top it off - a chance to win an autographed NASCAR replica of David Ragan's Ford Car #6.  My only question is... Why didn't they have stuff like this when I was a kid? 

Here's a great way to get rid of your plastic junk like planter pots, hanging baskets, black plastic edging and empty fertilizer and mulch bags.  Take them to Boerner Botanical Gardens, 9400 Boerner Drive, on September 24-26 and drop them off on the SE corner of the parking lot between 9am-3pm.  It they have dirt on them, please clean that off and please sort the plastic pots according to the number #2, #5, or #6 on the bottom of the pot.  It's that simple.  Last year over 21.5 tons of the stuff was collected by Boerner and UW-Extension.  Mother Earth says "thank you," along with all future generations of life.

Once again the Milwaukee County Parks System has partnered, this time, with OnMilwaukee.com to turn Red Arrow Park, 920 N. Water Steet, into a outdoor roller skating rink for three nights only this fall - the first being this Saturday, August 22 from 6-10pm.  On site skate rental is only $2.  There will be DJs, break dancers, art exhibits, appearances from the Brewcity Bruisers and IFL (Ironman Football League).  Future skate fests will take place on Sept. 19 & Oct. 10 from 6-10pm.  Great for the kids or a nice date idea too.  O yeah, I almost forgot a variety of food and beverages will be available.

Hhhmmmm......Let's see if I read this right.  August 26 at Washington Park.  Free roller skating with a Brewcity Bruiser member (if you didn't know they represent Milwaukee's only all women's roller derby league) from 4-6pm with skates for kids provided by the MPS skate van, plus fishing in the Washington Park pond with a bruiser with poles provided by the Urban Ecology Center, plus free food and soda from 5:30-6:30 while supplies last, plus free live music concerts from 6:30 to 8:30 pm featuring the Addy Janes, the Barrettes, the Lillies and the BCB Beerleaders bands.  This celebration/party is the way the Brewcity Bruisers wish to thank their sponsors, volunteers and the community for all their loyal support.  Hey, ya they are tough no doubt and have big hearts, too. 

This Sunday, August 16th from 5:30-7pm take your beloved dog, hound, protector, companion, and four-legged friend to Jackson Park pool - 3500 W. Forest Home Ave., or Sheridan Park Pool - 4800 S. Lake Drive, or Washington Park pool - 1859 N. 40th Steet, for the annual "Doggie Dips" where rover can cool off in the water, once the pools have been closed for the summer season. 

These "Doggie Dips" offer pure joy for man's best friend.  To prove that point as my uncle put it a family reunion this summer, lock your dog in the trunk of a car and then lock your wife in the trunk of a car.  After one hour open the trunk and see who is happier to see you.

New this year for the dips, a presale of admission passes is offered durning open pool hours (1-5pm) the day before the Sunday dip.  Admission is $5 per dog.   

A free music concert featuring "Katz Sass Blues," known for its Texas-styled Blues, will play this Friday, August 14th from 6:30-8:30pm at the Whitnall Park golf clubhouse, 6751 S. 92nd Street.  If you are hungry and would like to savor their fish fry (baked or fried cod) as well, that is available anytime between 4-8pm.  Reservations may be made at (414) 425-1810 though they are not required.

In addition, "Next Generation Drumming"  and "Lackloves" will play at Washington Park on Wednesday, Aug. 12 from 5:30-8:30pm and on Thursday evening "Dargie & Glencastle Irish Dancers" will perform at Boerner Botanical Gardens in Hales Corners from 6:30-8:30pm.  With summer winding down, you might as well get out and unwind to some musical entertainment in a park - that's what they were made for after all. 

Golf at the following Milwaukee County courses - Dretzka, Oakwood, Whitnall, Currie, Grant, Greenfield and Lincoln -  and play at the following special rates: Mon.-Fri. after 1pm, weekends & holidays after 2pm,  18-holes with a cart for $100......

or

play 9 holes with a cart for $60 (weekends & holidays after 2pm).              Visit countyparks.com for details or call the golf office at (414) 257-8024.  This offer is available for a limited time.  Max 2 carts per foursome.

Who may I ask loves the beach more than a child?  You've got more sand than any sandbox, plus plenty of water and most wonderfully the sand and water can be mixed in an infinite number of ways to make sandy wet mud.  If water isn't your thing, then play in the sand, if sand loses your interest then jump in the water or get your toes wet or both.  As a dad the best fun for my kids has been the beach because everybody wins and my cell phone can no longer come along since the last time it did and got wet, it started ringing and never stopped again.  

With these thoughts in mind, the Friends of Bradford Beach are inviting families to another "Family Day" this coming Sunday, August 9th.  Volleyball for kids with kid-size nets and balls will be available all day, also on the list of activities - a sand building contest for kids with prizes, Laacke and Joys will offer "Froling" combining golf and frisbees, an action/reaction workshop teaching jumping, landing, leaping and soaring by the Milwaukee Ballet community outreach team, meet Friends of Bradford Beach and learn about the safe swimming from the Great Lakes Water Institute - oh and if this all is not enough, the Urban Ecology Center will be on hand to teach children and adults about their natural surroundings.  My humble suggestion on this one is take the kids, invite the wife and be that Superman dad you were destined to be. 

In its 15th year and going strong, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Back-to-School Festival returns to King Park on Saturday, Aug. 8th from 11:30 am to 6pm.  The park is located at 1531 W. Vliet Street.  Children ages 5-18 are welcome to attend and will receive a free book bag, three theme books, a pack of pencils, ink pens, three folders, glue, erasers and more.  Children interested in obtaining a book bag need to preregister as soon as they arrive.  Additional activities include large inflatable amusement games, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, carnival games, a youth talent show and raffle prizes.  Food and beverages will be available for purchase.  For more information call (414) 278-4265. 

Two golf courses in the Milwaukee County Parks offer after hours or what is known as "nite-glow golf"  on Friday evenings with tee times starting at 8:30 until 10:30 at night   They are Hansen and Warimont golf courses.  Play with the aid of illuminated tees, flag sticks, holes and glow in the dark golf balls - nine holes for $15.  To make a reservation call Hansen at 453-4454 or Warnimont at 481-1400. 

Though I've never really seen a live air show, I think I would really like to take the kids and go see this one starting at 10am until about 3:30pm on Saturday or Sunday.  Of course I'll invite the wife, but I honestly don't know if that's her cup of tea or not.  (She gets motion sickness everytime she flies.)  I think just to view the top-notch U.S. Air Force Thunderbird Jet Demonstration Team and U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team would certainly be worth the effort.  I mean the price is right and there's even a "Kids Zone" with inflatable rides, bounce houses, and games.  I understand numberous vendors will be on hand if we get hungry or thirsty.  Bradford Beach will have live music going for the 5th annual Bradford Beach Jam starting at 5pm on Friday, July 24th and running through 5pm, Sunday, July 26th.  Come to think of it, if I take my kids to the Air Show maybe one will want to be a pilot someday or maybe even an astronaut.

Known for a blend of jazz, pop, and rhythm and blues, the "Eddie Butts' free concert at the Whitnall Park golf clubhouse, 6751 S. 92nd Street, this Friday, July 17th at 6:30 to 8:30pm is going to be one of the top performances of the summer, especially when one considers the beautiful views overlooking Mallard Lake, 150 free State Fair tickets given away with the purchase of a fish fry ( baked option available) and an opening show compliments of the "Seniorgee Dancers" at 6pm.  The fish fry is served from 4-8pm and reservations may be made, though not required, at (414) 425-1810.  Enjoy!

If you want to save some time as well as some money on gas, I would recommend you check out the present special being offered at Currie Park Golf Course, 3535 N. Mayfair Rd.  As we say at the Parks, "Stay local. Play local.  For residents and non-Milwaukee County-residents alike, golfers can play 18 holes with a cart for $25 Mon.-Fri anytime and weekends after 2pm.   Or if you only have time for 9 holes, then play 7 days a week after 4pm with a cart for only $15.  For more information call the golf office at (414) 257-8024 or go to countyparks.com 

Numerous Milwaukee County Parks continue to offer free concerts throughout the summer season.  Those who attend are welcome to bring blankets, lawn chairs and something to snack on as they unwind and relax.  The concerts will continue through the last week in August.  I have found the quality of the music and performances to be excellent.  Here is a sampling of some concerts coming up soon:

Humboldt Park, "Chill on the Hill," Series will present "Christopher's Project" on July 7,  "Limberhorn" on July 14 and "Sue DeBaco and Wise Fools" on July 21st all from 6:30-8:30pm.

Concerts at Boerner Botanical Gardens presented by Wimmer Brothers will feature "Peter Mac" on July 9, "Salt Creek" on July 16th and "Toad Kings" on July 23rd all from 6:30-8:30pm.

Concerts at Washington Park will include "Eddie Butts" on July 8th, "Paul Spencer Band" on July 15th and the "Reverand Raven" on July 22 all from 6:30-8:30pm.

"Musical Mondays" concerts at Lake Park will present "Tim Burr & Son" on July 6, "Peter Baime & Friends" on July 13 and "Philomusica String Quartet"  on July 20th all from 6:30-8:30pm.

"Wonderful Wednesdays" at Lake Park will feature, "The Chickadees" on July 8th, "Fox and Branch" on July 15 and "KG & The Ranger" on July 22nd.

"Steve Cohen" will play at Grant Park on July 16th from 6:30-8:30pm

"South End Blues Band" will perform at Mitchell Boulevard Park on July 14 from 6:30-8:30pm.

"Eddie Butts" will play at the Whitnall Park Golf Clubhouse on July 17 from 6:30-8:30pm.

 For more information visit countyparks.com or call (414) 257-PARK.

My kids love to fly kites.  Problem is that you need some nice big open space to do it.  Try too small a space and the kite gets hung up in a tree or takes a nosedive into someone's fenced in back yard.  Wind is important too.  That's why I highly recommend Veteran's Park on the lakefront for flying a kite or even more fun try attending one of its annual kite festivals. 

At 11am the annual "Fireworks Kite Festival" will take place at Veterans Park, 1010 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr., with all kite fliers & enthusiasts welcome and continue through 7pm until the US Bank fireworks begin ( around 9:15pm).  Kites will color the sky throughtout the day and many kite performers like Dan Jones and his giant 4-line revolution kite will be on hand, along with the giant kites of Yves LaForest and many other kite fliers.  For more information go to giftofwings.com 

What a great idea.  The thing I never really cared much for about during golf, yes I'm impatient, is having to slow down and wait for people playing ahead of me.  Now my wait is over as long as I keep moving.  Milwaukee County Parks introduces “Fast Paced Fridays” at Oakwood Golf course, 3600 W. Oakwood Rd. in Franklin.  Oakwood is a gold level course and at 6,975 yards is the longest of all 15 county golf courses.  Each week participants who keep the pace will also have a chance to win a pair of Brewers tickets.  The purpose is to increase the pace of play so you can enjoy 18 holes of golf in less than 3 hours and 45 minutes.  It is not meant to rush people into an uncomfortable level of play, rather to ensure that a Friday golf game can be enjoyed at a systematic pace.  Try it, I think you'll like it.  For more info go to countyparks.com

It's kind of like trying to choose which one of your children you like the best, yet if you have to choose then so be it.  Boerner is a great place to visit for some natural therapy and a healthy stroll outdoors. 

The American Garden Award is a competition that enables participants to vote for their favorite flower.  The Boerner Botanical Gardens, 9400 Boerner Drive in Hales Corners, is one of only 17 prestigious gardens invited to participate in this competition in the United States. 

If you love live music of all kinds and the artistic expression and beauty that comes with it as I do, these free summertime concerts in a local park near you are unbeatable and a nice break from the stresses and demands of the day.

On Wednesday, July 1^st the Terry Sims Band will perform at Washington Park from 6:30-8:30pm.

Bring your favorite lawn chair or blanket then relax and unwind to the sounds of these selected, high quality performances.  Concessions from Milwaukee County Park's trucks as well as food from restaurant vendors will be offered at some of the listed concerts.  Visit countyparks.com for the summer season's entire schedule.  These concerts are free.