Washington Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin turned 130 years old in 2025, so a refreshed map seems an appropriate anniversary gift. The park, originally designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, opened in 1895 as ‘West Park’. Visitors could walk the scenic paths or rent a row boat on the lagoon for 10c a hour. Soon, other attractions were added, including a six-hole golf course and a deer paddock - which grew over the years into a full zoo with a wide variety of animals. In 1900 the park was renamed after President George Washington & in 1919, a polar bear named Zero became the first polar bear born in captivity in North America.
This mapmaxing interpretive sign blends an updated map with key information on park, including the history of the park, the Urban Ecology Center housed in the park, and the Blatz concert stage.
This design is a concept creation and not an official Milwaukee County Parks design.
