Pulaski Park Flood Management

Pulaski Park is one of the only green spaces in the area, serving a very diverse community with many different needs. The park includes something for people of all ages and activity levels from active (basketball/futsal) to passive (walking paths). The park also includes one of two indoor pools within the Milwaukee County Park system.

In the 1960s, government officials thought the best way to protect the neighborhood and public health was to move the water through the river systems as fast as possible. To accomplish this, many sections of the Kinnickinnic River and its tributary streams, including in Pulaski Park, were “channelized” by lining the streams with concrete. The concrete channels were successful at quickly moving water through the system. Unfortunately, it also created safety, water quality, and downstream flooding problems.

Project Overview
This project is part of a larger effort by Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) and its partners to reduce the risk of flooding, improve public safety by slowing down the river, improve the natural habitats within the river and along its banks for fish and wildlife, and refresh parts of the park to better support recreation and meet community needs.

Along with Milwaukee County Parks, MMSD has partnered with several other groups in order to transform Pulaski Park. Those groups are the City of Milwaukee, Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers (SSCHC), and the Kinnickinnic River Neighbors in Action (KKRNIA)

Please see MMSD project page here, Pulaski Park | MMSD

Project Components Include:

• Over 1,700 feet of cracked and broken concrete removed
• River channel widened
• The bridge at the center of the park was opened up
• Tennis court changed to a futsal court
• The basketball court replaced
• The park's pedestrian bridge replaced
• New native plants and trees were planted throughout the park
• A new playground installed
• Improved trails and river overlooks are now throughout the park
• A new pool patio with open views of the restored river
• Curb bump-outs in Cleveland Avenue

Project Benefits

• Naturalize the creek’s channel
• Slow flows during rain events
• Improve aquatic and streambank habitat

Project Timeline

• Dec.2009-Dec. 2020: Preliminary/Ongoing Engagement
• Dec. 2009-Dec. 2018: Planning & Design
• Aug. 2018-Aug. 2020: Construction
• Aug 2020-Aug. 2025: Post Construction Vegetation Establishment