Metcalfe Playfield

On Oct. 1, 2026, Milwaukee Recreation celebrated the grand reopening of Metcalfe Playfield, part of the department's push to renovate its network of playfields throughout the city of Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Recreation hosted community engagement sessions at Metcalfe Playfield in the summer and fall of 2023. Community participation at these events was critical in determining programming and design priorities.

This project involved a full-scale renovation of the playfield, and features an upgraded walking loop, age-appropriate playground equipment, a splash pad and cooling plaza, basketball courts, shade structures, a body weight exercise equipment area, a football field, and a multi-purpose field. New and upgraded site amenities were added, including seating, lighting, benches and trash receptacles, and the fieldhouse was renovated with improved restrooms, storage, and multi-purpose areas. The playfield also includes a new green infrastructure system, native flowers, shade trees, and granite pavers that were repurposed from old City of Milwaukee streets.