Friends of County Grounds Park

August Updates

A Forest Tour and Tree Planting

Outdoor Classroom - Forest Tour

 

Get to know the magnificent big old native trees this Saturday August 20th at 10am. This tour will help participants identify and appreciate the most significant and handsome species in this remnant of “old growth” forest that survived the rampant deforestation of the 1800s. You will see fine large specimens of sugar maple, white oak, burr oak and basswood, many of them hundreds of years old. Also to be noticed are smaller trees, shrubs and ground cover.

 

Charlie Mitchell is a guy who loves the forest and has a lifetime of knowledge of trees and experience in woodlands to share. Living in Eagle River 1991 - 2013 he owned and managed an 11-acre woodlot. Charlie serves on the board of directors of Partners in Forestry, a forest management oriented non-profit organization with headquarters in Conover. He will reflect on the stewardship that will be needed to insure the health of the woods.

 

Charlie has co-led the Sanctuary Woods tree survey including thousands of trees - he will be able to show you the most majestic examples of trees in this forest.

 

Tour is free, registration is requested: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/county-grounds-park-sanctuary-woods-forest-tour-8202022-10am-tickets-395390051287

Habitat Restoration - Fall 2022 Tree Planting

 

Nearly 1 year in planning, we have funding, approval, and a target date for tree planting this fall. Many donors helped make this possible including dedicated gifts from Charlie Mitchell, Mark McNally, David and Julie Zersen, the Ronald McDonald House, Samapa Watertown Apartments, and the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center. Thanks to the Milwaukee County Parks Natural Areas for sponsoring the project. Thanks to Charlie Mitchell and Freddie Hoppe for leading the project.

 

The trees available/approved for planting in 2022 include:

35 White Oak, 20 Chinkapin Oak, 25 Burr Oak, 20 American Basswood, 20 Black Cherry, and 20 Northern Hackberry. We aspire to plant additional trees including Shagbark Hickory and Sugar Maple as they become available in 2023.

The tentative plan for planting is on Saturday November 5th. Volunteer registration is pending confirmed logistics. These trees are going into the open field between the current woods and the Ronald McDonald House / Watertown Apartments.

 

The trees that the County recommends to plant are three to six feet tall so the stems are big enough to resist rodents and they would be enclosed in wire-fence enclosures to protect them from deer.

Friends of County Grounds Park (FOCGP)

Monthly Meetings

 

  • We meet monthly

  • Topics include park improvement, communications, wildlife, outdoor classroom, youth friends, health/wellness, park signage, and tree planting

  • For more information on times/locations to join the monthly meeting, email friendsofcountygroundspark@gmail.com

Reporting Suspicious Activity

  • The Milwaukee County Grounds is patrolled and enforced by the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department
  • Please be part of the solution and directly report any suspicious activity: 
    • Sheriff:  414-278-4788
    • Fire or medical emergency:  911
  • Thanks for helping take clear ownership for our shared space

Staying connected

  • Website:  www.countygroundsfriends.org
  • Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/friendsofcountygroundspark
  • Email:  friendsofcountygroundspark@gmail.com
  • Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/youth_county.grounds.friends/   
  • Phone:  414-369-2155
  • Please join any of our monthly meetings!
  • Want to see previous versions of this newsletter - they are listed at the bottom of our website on this page

Sincere appreciation for a community that has been such good stewards for this precious space. We have a lot to be proud of, the ability to make a difference, and hope for the future. Thank you!!