For years, neighbors have felt uneasy when entering Milwaukee’s Johnsons Park. Numerous, tall hills known as “berms” block views into the park and deter visitors from enjoying this central city green space. But that is about to change. On August 19, Milwaukee County Parks and the City of Milwaukee, in collaboration with the Center for Resilient Cities, will finally lower at least four of the most imposing land forms. This will be a significant step forward in a plan developed by community members and the Center for Resilient Cities to create neighborhood resilience by improving Johnsons Park.

The Johnsons Park berms cover the results of the failed Park West freeway: debris from thousands of homes that were torn down to accommodate a 112 mile expansion. As budgets shrank during the 1970s, the project was abandoned. In a later effort to restore the Fond du Lac and North Avenue neighborhood, Milwaukee County Parks created Johnsons Park. Housing debris from the freeway project was used to form large hills in the park – novel design features that over time created safety issues for park users.

The 13 parkland acres between 17th and 20th Streets at Fond du Lac Avenue were named for Clarence and Cleopatra Johnson who were early leaders in the development of Milwaukee’s African American community. The Johnsons’ Ideal Tailor Shop, which opened in 1921, was known by business people throughout downtown. Mr. Johnson went on to be one of the founding officers of Columbia Savings and Loan in 1925 and the former Booker T. Washington YMCA on 8th and Walnut Streets (now Milwaukee Renaissance Academy).

Over the years, the honorably named park fell into a state of disrepair. The 2002 Public Policy Forum deemed Johnsons Park to be the most unfit among 38 Milwaukee parks that it investigated. It received poor ratings for quality of air, water, soil and facilities. Neighbors have long been concerned about safety, the poor condition of facilities, and the inflexibility of designated recreation areas. Although basic maintenance for Johnsons Park has recently improved, the existing berms still pose significant safety issues.

The Center for Resilient Cities is proud to be working with Milwaukee County Parks and the City of Milwaukee on this important first step towards making the park a welcoming space that supports healthy lifestyles.

As part of the Center’s Greater Johnsons Park Initiative, the park holds a key central role in creating a more resilient urban community. The Center for Resilient Cities uses resilience design to weave green landscapes into the built environment, creating organic opportunities for social and economic development. We help cities adapt to social, economic, environmental, and climate change. Since 1996, the Center has protected or restored more than 300 urban acres and has created green infrastructure plans in more than 1,500 urban acres throughout Wisconsin.