Riverside Park

Riverside Park, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a historic 25-acre urban park designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted in the 1890s. Situated along the east bank of the Milwaukee River, the park offers a blend of natural beauty and recreational facilities.

Originally known as River Park, it was part of Olmsted's vision for a connected park system in Milwaukee. The park's landscape once featured a natural ravine sloping from Oakland Avenue to the Milwaukee River, which Olmsted incorporated into his design. Although much of the original topography has changed over time, some elements of Olmsted's plan remain visible today.

In the early 20th century, the park included features such as a two-story pavilion with steps leading to the river, illuminated paths, and ornate light fixtures. While many of these historic elements are no longer present, the park still maintains 15 acres of wooded land and riparian habitat along the Milwaukee River.

The park has evolved over the years to meet community needs. In the 1970s, part of the original parkland was converted into athletic fields for the adjacent Riverside High School. Today, Riverside Park serves as an important educational and ecological resource, housing the Urban Ecology Center, which offers environmental education programs and activities for local schools and residents.

Riverside Park is part of the Milwaukee County Parks system and connects to the Oak Leaf Trail, a popular multi-use path that runs through the park where a railway line once divided the property. The park continues to provide a valuable green space for the surrounding East Side and Riverwest neighborhoods, offering opportunities for recreation, nature observation, and community gatherings.