Who We Are

We are a group that  participates in various activities to maintain and improve  Estabrook Park.
We have cooperated with the Milwaukee County Parks Department  and the Milwaukee Historical Society in maintaining this historic park.   We have sponsored  nature walks for the community, have replanted several degraded areas and have constructed trails and repaired stairs, have participated in weedouts and river cleanups.  

We have been around since 2008 and have had a formal structure since 2012. The by-laws call for a board of directors and officers as well as members. We can be contacted by e-mail at friendsofestabrook@gmail.com .

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Board of Directors in 2021:

Harold Schmidt, President
Donna Pollock, Vice President  
Andrew Dressel, Secretary
Gil Walter
Greg Wyder
Emily Burkholder
Henry Tomasiewicz





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                                                                    Minutes FOE meeting Wednesday, November 17, 2021
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Present Board Members: H. Schmidt, G. Walter, G. Wyder, D. Pollack, H. Tomasiewicz, E. Burkholder, A.Dressel 
Guests: Gary -, Dennis Carl
Meeting was called to order by President Harold Schmidt at 7:10.
Minutes of meeting of 8-18-21 were approved. Introductions of the members and guests followed. 
Old Business:
Current FOE Fiscal Status reported by Harold: Approximately $20,075 on hand since new projects were postponed due to COVID. New projects are needed to lessen this surplus, current projects on hold are: Tunnel Facade repair, Stairwell # 3 landings, Stairwell # 5 railings. 
Membership: Emily reported on membership; new memberships due to presence at the of FOE booth at the Farmer's Market was less than in 2020.
Donna reported the interest in FOE declined compared to 2020 at the Farmer's Market. Various methods of increasing the traffic to our booth were discussed.
Harold reminded us that Newsletter articles should be sent to Gary Sis by 12/07. 
The work crews will concentrate on buckthorn removal this fall; Carolyn Morse received her herbicide certificate to join the three other certified members. 
Harold reported on the success of the Greenway 15 event. It will be followed by a meeting and a triathlon in 5/22. 
The possible closure of Estabrook Park Drive and its ramifications were discussed. 
New Business:
Board membership: The number of members was reduced again to 7 with the resignation of Jenny Vulpas. 
Andrew introduced his member survey which should help establish consensus of the membership regarding our activities. 
The composition of the subcommittees of the board were discussed. The Executive Committee consists only of Harold who would like some company; the Membership committee consisting of Emily and Donna could include other recruitment activities; the Finance committee consisting of Harold and Gil should learn arithmetic; the Flora committee should be enlarged to include Henry, Gil, and Dennis Carl; new subcommittees devoted to master planning and to advocacy should be formed. 
Andrew proposed that micro volunteering programs be established (e.g., picking up trash on walks in the park). 
Yard signs advertising our group and the park were proposed, Donna to explore the format and cost of such signs. 
The “no mow” alternatives to mowing areas of the park not used for recreation were discussed. Harold expressed pessimism that the parks department would approve such a change. 
Gil indicated he would resign as secretary. Andrew volunteered to replace him. 
The annual membership meeting will be held in January 2022 and should include an update on the falls' fish bypass; a board meeting will be scheduled some time later. 
​ Meeting adjourned at 9:00. Respectfully submitted, Gil Walter, secretary 

                                                                                   For additional information you can visit our Facebook page