AGING IN PLACE + WASHINGTON PARK

WASHINGTON PARK

Washington Park (originally West Park), was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, a well-known landscape architect who designed many celebrated parks throughout the United States.  The 128 acre park was completed in 1891 and housed the original Milwaukee County Zoo known as Washington Park Zoo (originally West Park Zoo), which was founded in 1892 and located on the south-east corner of the park. 

The landscape design was relatively subtle.  It consisted of meadow grasses, woodland areas, diverse tree species, stone bridges and meandering paths.  The park was intended to be utilized as a retreat from the bustling urban environment.  The park provided several activities including ice-skating, boat rentals, golf, a toboggan slide, tennis, horseshoes, sports fields, a band shell and horse racing.

The Washington Park Senior Center, which currently occupies the site of the original primate house, opened in 1968 after the Washington Park Zoo relocated to its current location in 1963.  Overtime, the original boathouse was converted into a community center.  Washington Park provides numerous activities and infrastructure, which adds to the richness of the community.  Some of these include the Washington Park Urban Ecology Center, musical events at the band shell, ice skating, fishing, sports fields, activity paths, playgrounds, bike polo fields, a community swimming pool, the Vliet Street Green Market and walking paths.