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 2022:

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





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                              Minutes FOE Meeting Wednesday, September 7, 2022
Board members - Present: H. Schmidt, G. Walter, G. Wyder, D. Pollock, C. Morse   Absent: H. Tomasiewicz, A. Dressel (on leave)   Guests: C. Kelly, B. Pedraza
Meeting was called to order at 7:17. Minutes of June 8, 2022 were approved.
                                                                                      OLD BUSINESS
Fiscal – Approximately $20K on hand.   Expect outlay of $2K rest of year.
Membership – no change Farmers’ market – Donna reported that the interactions are good but there is little interest in membership.  Discussion about FOE mugs tabled for now given Boelter’s $10 cost and 264 min.
Capital Projects – Large trees (25) have been ordered for October at $450. Tunnel Façade project now estimated at $21K.  Will submit PIP by 11/14. Requested fiscal assistance from Parks.  Chances are slim.
Fee structure & Brochure - Present fee structure appears appropriate.  FOE email use/access in question.  Carolyn and Gil to sort out before ordering new brochures.
Walter tree to be installed this fall near the skatepark
Crews – Focus now on buckthorn removal and planting. Shout out to Audrey and Ansgar, high school students, did a good job working with us this summer.
Park People Gala – Mary is soliciting silent auction items.  Need representatives at event.
                                                                                   NEW BUSINESS
River Clean-up   Harold suggested that we hold a clean-up in mid-November, He requested leadership help.
New park manager – Jake Sheteron started September 6th.  414-531-1896
Newsletter – articles due to Gary by 9/17.
Fundraiser for Tunnel façade   Harold suggested that our budget may be stretched by costs and that we may need to fundraise $2000 to cover any overage. We will start a campaign at the Farmers Market. Need photo of existing and possibly a sketch of the proposed finished product.
                                                                                          OTHER
Donna raised the issue of getting a tenant for the Maintenance Building.  There was general agreement that something needs to be done. Hans’ interest seems to have waned. Donna did show the site to someone who might know interested parties. We need to develop a plan in conjunction with Parks to push this forward.
                                                                              ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next Meeting – 11/9 in Lincoln Park
Weed-outs  - 9/10, 10/15 & 11/6
FOE Picnic – Thursday, 9/15 at 5pm
The Park People are hiring a new director.  Part time 20 to 25 hrs/week flexible.​           

                                                                                   For additional information you can visit our Facebook page