Milwaukee Recreation Community Center
Milwaukee Recreation is developing a new community center and renovating a new playfield in northwest Milwaukee.
This new community center and playfield project includes a significant expansion and renovation of the former Browning School building that is located at N. 76th St. and W. Silver Spring Dr. (the current Browning School is located on N. 64th St.). The 7.5-acre site includes 4.1 acres of playfield space.
The design program and priority improvements will be informed by internal stakeholders, neighbors, and user groups via community survey, community engagement sessions, several listening sessions, and planning meetings. Planned amenities for the new community center and playfield include:
- Gymnasium
- Indoor pool
- Multi-purpose rooms
- Enrichment spaces & fitness classrooms
- Elevated walking track
- ADA access to all indoor/outdoor facilities
- Green space
- Basketball courts
- Tennis & pickleball courts
- Pump track
- Walking paths
- Playground equipment
- Splash pad
- Shade structures
The new community center building will be roughly 101,700 square feet. This project represents a $54 million investment in the community, and is expected to be completed in 2027. The project is funded through Milwaukee Recreation’s extension fund. See below for more project information and renderings.
Currently, Beulah Brinton Community Center, located in southeast Milwaukee, is Milwaukee Recreation's only full-service standalone community center. Milwaukee Recreation hosts the majority of its community center programming inside school buildings during non-school hours (the department does operate the OASIS Community Center on the south side of the city, a standalone community center that serves active older adults and individuals with disabilities).
With this new facility on the northwest side of the city, Milwaukee Recreation will be able to fill critical service gaps for a variety of recreation, wellness, and sports programming needs for community members of all ages and abilities.
The playfield renovation at this location is also part of a larger Milwaukee Recreation project to update 52 playfields throughout the city of Milwaukee. To date, Milwaukee Recreation has completed 11 full-scale renovations, as well as a tot lot renovation at Ohio Playfield. In addition to the ongoing work at this former Browning site, Milwaukee Recreation is also currently working to renovate Emigh Playfield, Lincoln Playfield, and Metcalfe Playfield. Learn more about the playfield revitalization project here.