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 [email protected] .

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Board of Directors in 2026:

Harold Schmidt, President
Donna Pollock, Vice President
​Andrew Dressel, Secretary
Greg Wyder
Carolyn Morse
Henry Tomasiewicz
​Andrew Larsen



                FRIENDS OF ESTABROOK PARK BOARD MEETING MINUTES August 12th, 2026

Board Present - H Schmidt, H Tomasiewicz, C Morse, D Pollock, A Dressel, A Larsen   Absent - G Wyder Meeting called to order at 7:12p Board unanimously approves 05/20/26 Board Meeting Minutes

OLD BUSINESS

FISCAL - Net expected expenses for the year $7.5k, ~$7k Biergarten Donation expected, leaving the year end estimated balance at $17k
POLLINATOR GARDENS - Henry to continue work into the fall weather permitting. He will need work volunteers on Tu-Th 8a-10a. Will be mowing and tarping the south field at the end of October. Looking for greenhouse opportunities for next May.
MEMORIAL PLAQUES - Plaques are in and look great. Carrie's near Stairwell 3. Greg's TBD.
FARMERS MARKET: Continuing to have difficulty reaching new members. Steins left to sell.
YUTKA FENCE - Fully approved, awaiting printing.
PROPOSED PROJECTS -
     Pond Stairs- Parks to send out staff to assess
     Railing Improvement & Bike Repair Station- Both approved, need contractors, Harold has two options to pursue through Parks and Hans.
     Sledding Hill- PIP due 11/9, need estimate for clearing,Harold to liaise with Peter Bratt.
     Geology Plaque- Carolyn to donate Goss book to library. New Board member Ken Bucholz to provide info on who SMC used for recent plaque. Once size and lettering limits are known customize the wording. PIP due 11/9
     Kiosk Insert- Ask Parks for permission on content. Paint the Kiosk reinforcements 
     Bat Houses- Henry to build and install 4x Bat Houses

NEW BUSINESS

REPLACE CROSSWALK SIGNAGE - Harold has board approval for $500 for new item, will check online for additional options. GREENHOUSE IN MAINTENANCE YARD - Peter Bratt is a maybe on this idea. Donna to get estimates for a Design of ~10'x20'; Location and further PIP TBD post design phase after fall.
BOARD MEMBER CANDIDATES - Tom Good, Ken Bucholz, and Matthew Kavanaugh were interviewed and approved unanimously by the Board for Member positions. TBD their entry order to stay incongruence with the bylaws for rolling term limits.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Final Biergarten Picnic of 2026 8/25- 5p to 730p, send announcements to membership Recruit Board members at the Picnics, Try to increase attendance through outreach
Weedouts - 9/12, 10/17, 10/31; 9a-12p, Meet at maintenance yard lot. post event drinks at BG
Fall Cleanup - 11/14 10a-12p, Meet at BG parking lot, post event drinks at BG
Next Board Meeting: 11/11 7pm- Tentative Blatz, potential move to Estabrook Maintenance Yard
Newsletter: submissions due by 9/18.
                                                                           

                                                                                   For additional information you can visit our Facebook page