A new way to positively impact your Milwaukee County Parks
Thank you for your interest in improving Milwaukee County Parks! We have developed a few avenues to make it easier for you to make a project request and understand our most common request processes.
Park Improvements
Park improvements are the most common type of request we get and they involve anything from building a kiosk for a scouting project, to renovating a roof, to constructing a new facility on a Park site. Be it large or small, should you have a project improvement request, you will need to complete this form…
Land Utilization
Land utilization requests o en come in the form of a need for an easement for utilities or memorandum of understanding (otherwise known as an MOU) in a specific park location for a specific purpose. Requests to access a portion of a park site most commonly come from our utility partners in the energy, water management, and conservation sectors. If you are looking to utilize park land for an extended period of time, you will need to complete this form…
Utilization Form
Land Donations
Land donations generally support a long-term parks objective like making a connection between park sites, preserving a natural area, or expanding access to an underserved area. While we are not currently working to dramatically expand our footprint, occasionally an opportunity surfaces that we can’t refuse. If you are interested in donating a parcel of land to the Milwaukee County Parks system, you will need to complete this form…
Donations Form
If you’re uncertain about which form to complete, we’re here to help. Contact parkprojects@milwaukeecountywi.gov Parks Improvement Project Form
PROJECT CONSIDERATIONS
In general, community project requests should address the following considerations:
• Serve the general public.
• Address the park system’s need for ongoing improvement.
• Be implemented by Milwaukee County Park standards.
• Reflect the character of the park and/or park system.
• Enhance the park without compromising the quality of our open spaces.
• Have identified funding sources that address both the initial implantation AND longer-term operations and maintenance needs of the request.
• Have broad community support.
• Be compatible with surrounding uses (within and adjacent to the park site).
• Align with Milwaukee County Parks system planning e orts.
• Comply with zoning, land use and building requirements.
• Maximize resources by identifying leveraging opportunities and supporting partners.
• Help mitigate Parks fiscal challenges – not expand fiscal need.
• Support Parks planning e orts.
• Ensure community participation, transparency, and quality.
HOW PARKS PROJECTS GET FUNDED
Typical park projects include the repair, renovation, or replacement of existing park facilities or amenities, and the construction of new facilities or amenities in existing parks.
While there are some exceptions, county funding for park operations, including capital and maintenance improvement projects for parks, comes from an annual budget comprised of tax levy (1/3) and Parks-generated revenue (2/3). Parks projects over $100,000 in value on our prioritized 5-year capital plan, are most commonly funded through the county’s capital budget. Projects under that amount may be funded with major maintenance dollars. However, given our resource constraints, the County is only able to support a handful of parks capital projects each year. This means that annually county funds can only support about 1% of Parks’ actual improvement need. Alternative funding sources like grants, sponsorships, and direct revenues are pursued to help minimize this gap.
External funding sources that support your request have a direct impact of the viability of your project. If you can identify accessible resources to leverage your project, it will have a better chance of coming to life.
PARKS PROJECT REQUEST REVIEW PROCESS
The Parks Review Team, comprised of sta subject matter experts, performs biannual reviews of parks improvement requests (typically April and October), quarterly reviews of land utilization requests (typically February, May, August, November), and reviews of land donation o ers as needed. Be aware, certain requests may require legislative action. Anticipate submitting your request several months in advance of your desired schedule.
The process for all requests is as follows:
• Requestor assembles background information and submits the online Project Request Form.
• Parks subject matter experts and leadership team review and rank project requests.
• Parks notifies requestor of review status (project approved or denied).
• If approved, sta dra s an implementation plan for the project to identify potential issues, confirm additional legislative or approval requirements, and outline a schedule for project implementation.
• Sta communicates implementation plan to project requestor.
• Together, Parks sta and the project requestor work to implement the request based on a process and schedule defined by Parks sta .
Note that all three types of project requests may be submitted year-round, however, sta will review them based on the review schedule outlined above. Reponses to requests will be issued as soon as possible. That said, Parks sta response time will vary with the complexity of the request. Because of our legislative process and established monthly Board cycle, it can be di icult for sta to expedite projects; you are encouraged to submit your project request as early as possible. Project timelines are subject to change.
The project review determines project need, relevance, and prioritization. Each project can score a maximum of 150 points, identifying it as high need, moderate need, or low need. General review criteria for all requests includes:
• Supports or Improves Public Health & Safety
• Maintains or Reduces Operating Budget Impact
• Reduces Deferred Maintenance
• Aligns with Parks Planning & Capital E orts
• Promotes Operational E iciency, Innovation or Best Management Practices
• Considers Life Cycle Costs
• Positively Impacts the Environment or Preserves Natural Resources
• Integrates Quality Design & Aesthetics
• Leverages Non-County Resources
• Supports an Area of Need
• Improves Recreation Opportunities for Diverse User Base
• Provides Direct Revenue Opportunities
• Provides Indirect Revenue Opportunities
• Land utilization-specific criteria includes:
• Impact to Designated Natural Areas
• Impact to Wildlife
• Impact to Wetlands
• Alteration of Topography or Drainage Patterns
• Duration of Installation
• Ongoing Maintenance Needs
• Proximity to Designated Recreation Areas
• Public Outreach Conducted
COMMUNITY PROJECT REQUEST FORM
COMMUNITY PROJECT REQUEST FORM
CPR SUBMITTED BY
Community Project Request application submitted by applicant by posted deadline on second Monday of May or November
Community Project Request application submitted by applicant by posted deadline on second Monday of May or November
STAFF REVIEW
& COMMENTS
STAFF REVIEW &
COMMENTS
Parks review team has 2 weeks to review all CPR applications and deliver feedback to Community Engagement Manager
Parks review team has 2 weeks to review all CPR applications and deliver feedback to
REVIEW MEETING
REVIEW MEETING
Parks Leadership Team and review team meet together to make final determinations
Parks Leadership Team and review team meet together to make final determinations
Review team is comprised of Executive Director, Deputy Director, Director of Operations, Director of Recreation, Assistant Director of Planning, Natural Areas Supervisor, Infrastructure Manager, Assistant Chief of Recreation
Review team is comprised of Executive Director, Deputy Director, Director of Operations, Director of Recreation, Assistant Director of Planning, Natural Areas Supervisor, Infrastructure Manager, Assistant Chief of Recreation
DETERMINATION
LETTERS SENT
DETERMINATION LETTERS SENT
Parks Engagement Manager informs requester of final determination of application within 1 month of the application deadline. Letters include whether the project was advanced, denied, or needs more information.
Determination letters may include instructions on how to apply for a Right of Entry permit
Parks Engagement Manager informs requester of final determination of application within 1 month of the application deadline. Letters include whether the project was advanced, denied, or needs more information. Determination letters may include instructions on how to apply for a Right of Entry permit.For a step-by-step process, please click here.
Right-of-Entry Permit Application
Right-of-Entry Permit Application
LAND UTILIZATION REQUESTS
START
REQUEST INTAKE
Land Utilization Request form submitted online by requester
Requester pays standard application fee
Parks contact receives request and ensures completeness of submittal
Parks point of contact communicates review time frame and process basics
REQUEST REVIEW: PART 1
Our sta review team is comprised of Parks senior leadership and Parks planning, recreation, business services, and trades sta .
They meet four times a year (typically in February, May, August, and November) to review all requests received in the preceding quarter.
The review team scores every proposal using objective predetermined scoring criteria based on Parks mission.
The review team determines if the request directly serves or benefits a county facility, and if it supports the Parks mission.
REQUEST MOVES ON Yay! The project directly serves or benefits a county facility, and the easement supports the Parks mission.
Parks point of contact informs requester of approved status.
The response includes their proposal score and other relevant information.
Parks may require that a mitigation plan be required to move ahead with the request.
REQUEST REVIEW: PART 2
Parks Planning and Natural Areas sta conducts a secondary review to determine impacts on ecology, park use, and recreation access.
This team also assess any ongoing, long-term maintenance plans, future repair plans, and potential impacts to the park site.
Requester
FEE Fees, magnitude assessed
Fees include Deeds
will not Parks receives the
Once the the request
FEE ANALYSIS
Fees, based on the magnitude of impact, are assessed to the requester.
include the Register of Deeds recording fee.
Requester pays fees. Request move forward until receives payment from the requester.
the fees are received, request is approved.
REQUEST DENIAL
Unfortunately, the easement directly does not serve or benefits a county facility to the magnitude needed to justify the action, or the request does not adequately support the Parks mission.
Parks point of contact informs requester of denied status.
The response includes their proposal score and other relevant information.
COUNTY REVIEW
Parks contract manager completes a land utilization form on behalf of the requester.
The requester provides copies of exhibits as needed, including hard copy and digital.
Other county departments, including Corporation Counsel and Architecture & Engineering, review all related documentation.
Both parties agree to contract terms and design plans
COUNTY APPROVALS
Depending on the scale and complexity of your project, after the county review, the project is shared with other County departments and leaders for final approval.
The project may visit the County Facility Plan Steering Committee, the County Executive, and the Board of Supervisors.
These groups meet on a regular cycle, and communication of the request, and subsequent approval, is woven into the regular meeting schedules as appropriate.
It’s important to get your request to as early as you can, as review and approval can take some time. That said, sta does what they can to help expedite requests.
REQUEST APPROVAL
The request is finalized and recorded by the Register of Deeds. Records of the approval are available to the requester.
LAND DONATION REQUESTS
LA N D DON ATION R E QU E S T S
START
DONATION INTAKE
Land Donation form submitted online by donor
Parks contact receives request and ensures completeness of submittal
Parks point of contact communicates review time frame and process basics
NATURAL AREAS REVIEW
Parks Natural Areas sta reviews the proposal to determine the ecological value of the parcel.
They consider the presence of rare/threatened species, wetlands, environmental corridor status, and bu ers to other natural areas.
They also assess the risk of trespassing and illegal dumping.
PLANNING, RECREATION, & OPERATIONS REVIEWS
Planning sta reviews the proposal to evaluate if the donation provides the potential for trail connectivity, if the land is adjacent to an existing park, if it is beneficial to expand that park, what the impact on tax base might be, and if park plans have previously identified the parcel for acquisition.
Recreation sta also reviews the proposed donation to determine if it will enhance a recreational o ering.
Operations sta evaluates the proposal to determine if there is any existing infrastructure requiring ongoing maintenance, or if any new infrastructure will be required to accept the donation.
PARKS DIRECT reviews is compil
PARKS DIRECTOR
Feedback from all Parks reviews is compiled sta point of contact
1) Parks Benefit Form fiscal note form.
Parks Director determines whether or not to accept land donation.
Parks Director whether or not land don
SKILLED TRADES REVIEW
SKILLED TRADE
Parks Skilled Trade reviews the proposed donation.
reviews the pr donation.
They evaluate if there are existing structures utilities on site requiring demolition, what environmental remediation concerns might be, potential costs.
They evaluate are existing structu utilities on site demolition, wh environmental rem concerns migh potential c
They also complete a life cycle cost analysis safety review.
They also compl life cycle cost anal
REVIEW osed there res or quiring the diation , and osts. a total sis and REVIEW ed by the termines accept the tion.
DONATION ACCEPTED
Acceptance of the donation is determined to be in the public interest.
COUNTY APPROVALS
acceptance of the land donation, approval forms
The donation is sent (DAS) for review of the title and environmental condition encumbrances.
SORRY, NO
DONATION REJECTED
Acceptance of the donation not determined to be in the public interest.
DONATION FINALIZED
recorded by the Register of Deeds. Records and of the approval are available to the updated.
Documents are also shared for review of total life cycle costs.
Notice is then sent to the
These groups meet on a regular cycle, and communication of the request, and subsequent approval, is woven into the regular meeting schedules as appropriate. request to as early as you can, as review and approval can take some time. That they can to help expedite requests.
W E CRE AT E P O S ITIV E
CHANGE TH R OUGH PAR K S .
Parks and trails are amazing spaces. They can improve physical heath by providing spaces for recreation; they can help our mental health by connecting us to nature; they connect people to jobs through system literally connects our 19 municipalities. When we ensure our parks thrive, our parks ensure we thrive.
MILWAUKEE COUNTY PARKS
BY THE NUMBERS
Acres of parkland
Parks & Parkways
Rentable pavilions, areas and shelters
Miles of Trails
Beaches, Marinas & Boat launches
Permanent Beer Gardens -leash Dog Parks
Friends Groups s
Golf
Courses
Pools, splashpads and water parks
Playgrounds
QUESTIONS
For questions on any community project request, contact parkprojects@milwaukeecountywi.gov
