Milwaukee Recreation recognized with two Mayor's Design Awards

On May 20, the City of Milwaukee hosted the 2026 Mayor's Design Awards at the UWM School of Architecture & Urban Planning (Marcus Commons). Milwaukee Recreation received recognition in the "Places and Spaces" category for its playfield renovation work at both Wick Playfield and Modrzejewski Playfield. Milwaukee Recreation celebrated the grand reopenings at both sites in 2025.

The "Places and Spaces" category is described as follows:

“The following projects have found unique opportunities to contribute to the character of their neighborhoods and have made our streets and public spaces more attractive and inviting by engaging the public, enhancing public infrastructure, and creating meaningful community spaces for all to enjoy.”

Places and Spaces Category
Mayor's Design Awards

Modrzejewski Playfield (see photo above) now includes updated playground equipment, a splash pad, new basketball courts, upgraded walking paths, comfortable plaza seating, and shade structures, in addition to painted play spaces, a multi-purpose field, improved lighting, an updated fieldhouse, renovated restrooms, and a remodeled community room.

Wick Playfield (see photo below) now features modern playground equipment, a splash pad, new basketball courts, comfortable plaza seating, upgraded walking paths, improved lighting, and renovated restrooms, all alongside the recently renovated turf baseball and softball diamonds.

Community input was a critical element of both projects, helping to guide the design process and create a sense of ownership for the surrounding neighborhoods. Thanks to public feedback, gathered through on-site events and online surveys, the sites now reflect the needs and ideas of the people who use the facilities the most.

History of the Playfield Revitalization Project

In 2014, Milwaukee Recreation retained a consultant to conduct a review of the existing facilities and provide a roadmap for improvements to the playfields spanning a 10-year timeframe. The result was the Milwaukee Outdoor Recreation Facilities Master Plan. The purpose of the planned projects is to address the community’s current and future recreational needs by upgrading 52 playfields and fieldhouses maintained by Milwaukee Recreation. These efforts will assure the highest level of service and safe utilization to users.

The 2022-23 update to the Milwaukee Recreation Equity Prioritization Matrix expanded on the previous model to include lessons for equitable open-space assessments from around the country, helping reveal how open space can positively support communities around Milwaukee. The updated plan continues to guide Milwaukee Recreation’s decision-making. It includes explorations of park access, the existing condition of facilities, an understanding of the people who live around our parks, and conversations about the ways that parks can positively impact individual and community health.

To date, Milwaukee Recreation has successfully remodeled 14 playfields throughout the city of Milwaukee, which now includes Emigh Playfield, where the department will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 22. Milwaukee Recreation has received Mayor's Design Awards for its work at the following playfields as part of this renovation project: Wick Playfield, Modrzejewski Playfield, Carmen Playfield, Stark Playfield, Green Bay Playfield, Burnham Playfield, Franklin Square Playfield, Southgate Playfield, and Columbia Playfield.

Renovations are currently underway at Lincoln Playfield, Metcalfe Playfield, and Browning Playfield, with community engagement sessions set to be scheduled for future renovations at Ohio Playfield and Holt Playfield.