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Community Centers
Milwaukee Recreation hosts programs at seven community centers throughout the city, including two stand-alone community centers (Beulah Brinton and OASIS) and five community centers within MPS schools (Hamilton, Gaenslen, MacDowell, Marshall, and Riverside).

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Playfields
Milwaukee Recreation operates 52 playfields throughout the city of Milwaukee. These playfields range from smaller, pocket parks to large-scale neighborhood hubs. Each playfield features a range of playground equipment, green space, and/or field space.

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Summer Playgrounds Program
Each summer, Milwaukee Recreation provides supervised enrichment activities, play opportunities, and free meals at playground sites across the city for kids ages 6-17. All playgrounds are operated as a “free drop-in” program.

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Splash Pads & Wading Pools
During hot weather, select playfields are equipped with free water-based activities like refreshing sprinklers, water games, hydration stations, splash pads, and wading pools. These locations provide safe spaces for children to cool off while engaging in physical activity.

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Indoor Pools
Milwaukee Recreation serves all community members at indoor pools throughout the city with a variety of aquatics programming, including learn-to-swim lessons, aqua fitness, training sessions, safety certification courses, and more. All pools are located within Milwaukee Public Schools facilities, and many locations have been recently renovated to better serve all community members.

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Twilight Centers
Milwaukee Recreation strives to serve young people at our Twilight Centers, which are safe spaces located throughout the city and open on weekday and weekend evenings. This free drop-in program allows young people to spend time with friends, learn new skills, and work with mentors in a healthy and familiar environment.

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Before- & After-School Programs
Milwaukee Recreation provides a safe haven at hundreds of locations for youth in grades K5-12 during non-school hours. Before- and after-school programs provide varying types of academic and recreational support, including homework assistance and tutoring, enrichment activities, technology education, sports and fitness, leadership training, and social skills development.

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About Us
- Our mission, vision, and values are rooted within our deep history.
- Connect with a staff member in your preferred program area.
- Explore our full-time and part-time job opportunities today.
- Discover our plans to bring renewed recreation to your neighborhood.
- Find your nearest community center, playfield, pools, and splash pads.
- Dive into our latest feature stories and news releases.
- Contact our team to initiate a media request or interview.
- Subscribe to our biweekly newsletter for updated department details.
Registration
- Register online for our programs in the latest Recreation Guide.
- Find frequently asked questions about the course registration process for accounts.
- Refunds are available for some classes in the Recreation Guide.
- Weather updates will also be available on our social media platforms as needed.
- We believe all young people should have access to recreation services.
- We strive to serve all individuals in our programs, regardless of ability.
- Complete this brief form if you did not receive your guide in the mail this season.
Enrichment Programs
- Register now for enrichment courses listed in the Recreation Guide.
- Visit the OASIS Community Center for courses for ages 50 and up.
- Our pools feature swim lessons, aqua fitness classes, certification trainings, swim teams, and more.
- We bring health and fitness to your neighborhood with our free wellness courses.
- MPS and non-MPS students learn critical driving lessons in the classroom and behind the wheel.
- Embrace Milwaukee's natural beauty, including with programs at Hawthorn Glen.
- Join our family of staff and participants with our year-round programs for individuals with disabilities.
- Create new memories at one of our family-friendly special events this season.
After-School Programs
- We are dedicated to providing out-of-school-time arts opportunities for young people throughout Milwaukee.
- We partner with MPS schools to provide academic support, enrichment, and care for youth beyond school hours.
- In partnership with local agencies, we offer young people opportunities to learn and grow throughout the year.
- We provide youth with opportunities to engage in educational and social enrichment activities, and play in safe environments.
- Our staff helps three-year-olds take steps towards kindergarten in a safe environment designed to assist families.
- Ages 10-14 and 12-18 can attend our free evening programs to play sports, spend time with friends, and meet new people.
- Find the updated summer site list for the Camp, CLC, or Safe Place program at your child's school.
Sports
- This school-based program for individuals with disabilities is available in eight different sports.
- Stay connected with friends and meet new community members through one of our adult sports leagues.
- These evening soccer and basketball leagues for young adults are free, competitive, and engaging.
- The MCC is the athletics conference for participating high schools in MPS.
- Youth can stay active and develop lifelong skills in any one of our specialized clubs.
- Team Milwaukee is a community-based athletic program for individuals with an intellectual disability.
- We host school-based youth sports leagues for grades 1-8 in the fall, winter, and spring.
Permits & Rentals
- The fun can come to you with any of our rental packages and recreation mobiles.
- Community members can permit outdoor facilities through the outdoor facility application process.
- To secure an indoor permit for an event, please submit a building permit application.
- Hawthorn Glen rental spaces include an indoor assembly room, outdoor picnic areas, and a soccer field.
- Brinton Community Center has multiple spaces available for rent for your next celebration.
- Review these city ordinances and district policies when permitting with Milwaukee Recreation.
- Milwaukee Recreation is available to set up informational booths at community events.

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Outdoor Education

Hands-on learning in the great outdoors

Community members of all ages are invited to experience the outdoors throughout the year with Milwaukee Recreation. Our locations are open for all participants to attend a field trip with their school, walk the trails with family, or register for a course to learn more about nature.

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Hawthorn Glen

Hawthorn Glen is Milwaukee Recreation’s 23-acre nature center, located in the heart of the city. Every year, over 12,000 children and families visit the Glen for classes and school field trips.

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Lakeshore State Park
Lakeshore State Park is located on the shores of Lake Michigan and is almost completely surrounded by water, connecting to Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin via a beautiful bridge. Milwaukee Recreation leads field trip groups at Lakeshore State Park throughout the year.

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Mobile Nature Outreach
Our mobile nature programs bring outdoor education directly to your schools. Taught by our experienced naturalists, the interactive sessions aim to inspire students’ curiosity about nature and science. Topics include animal adaptations, paleontology, metamorphosis, and space science.

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Oak Ridge Farm
Milwaukee Recreation maintains and operates a 200-acre farm near Dousman (30 miles west of Milwaukee). Oak Ridge Farm is a real working farm with large animals, moving machinery, and a barn with dairy operations. This allows children to experience farm life up close, with opportunities to touch many of the animals.

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Survive Alive House
The Survive Alive House is a cooperative effort between the Milwaukee Fire Department and Milwaukee Recreation. Children receive a hands-on, practical, safe learning experience by escaping from a simulated burning building.

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Virtual Field Trips
We are offering several virtual learning opportunities for your students to engage in environmental education. Our naturalists will provide stimulating activities, thought provoking videos, educational games and many ways for your students to experience nature right in their own neighborhoods.

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