Dogs are amazing. That is all.
DOWNTOWN DOG PARK
Since the topic of a downtown dog park seems to have overstayed its welcome on the main development forum thread, at the request of some, I'm creating this separate thread. Mods, please feel free to move all previous conversations about dog parks into here, if you get a chance. Thanks!
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I think multiple dog use parks in downtown would be a benefit for all, some small, some larger ones in Vets park
Under the freeways could easily be landscaped and enclosed with a fence from the road with access points on both sides. Let your dogs run wild while you and your dog have protection from rain and snow. All the way down could be a continuous park. Add a skatepark, add a dog park, add some hipster little swings and cool lighting, add a stage for live performances by the Market add a plaza for summer expansion outdoors. If done right, it could be awesome.
I was thinking that the top floor of underutilized parking garages could be converted into a dog park. For example a good one would be the grand avenue parking garage. Plus it would have the same benefits of a green roof. There likely would need to be a membership fee (with a secure entrance to the park) to make it worth it to the garage owner.
Under the freeways could easily be landscaped and enclosed with a fence from the road with access points on both sides. Let your dogs run wild while you and your dog have protection from rain and snow. All the way down could be a continuous park. Add a skatepark, add a dog park, add some hipster little swings and cool lighting, add a stage for live performances by the Market add a plaza for summer expansion outdoors. If done right, it could be awesome.
I've had the same idea for that are too. Could add basketball and tennis courts in there also. Maybe have a place were food trucks could line up and serve food near the market. Make the area more of a destination for people. It could be a pretty unique area if done right.
Yeah, I really like this idea, especially if it was well-lit at night.Under the freeways could easily be landscaped and enclosed with a fence from the road with access points on both sides. Let your dogs run wild while you and your dog have protection from rain and snow. All the way down could be a continuous park. Add a skatepark, add a dog park, add some hipster little swings and cool lighting, add a stage for live performances by the Market add a plaza for summer expansion outdoors. If done right, it could be awesome.
Surfacing might be an issue, however, as you would have trouble growing grass in a super-shaded area under a freeway, however perhaps artificial grass could be implemented, or else wood chips, sand or a combination of shade grass with wood chips.
Nate, I'm curious what block under 794 you might propose for such a space? I have been considering this myself. My thoughts for potential sites are:
1.) The larger lot along the eastern side of Plankinton between St. Paul and Clybourn
2.) The smaller lot under 794 on the east side of 3rd, again between St. Paul and Clybourn.
3.) The "V" lot that is on the western side of Van Buren (b/t St. Paul & Clybourn), that is formed by the ramps forking off at this point of the lakefront interchange... I know WisDOT just recently planted a copse of trees here, which is fine, but maybe the space could be fenced in and made into a dog park as it is now.
Anyway, I'm curious to hear what particular spaces you have in mind for creative use.
Really, any of the blocks to the west of 3rd Street could work. Add in some plants, some good landscaping some lights and the area could really be something special. Haul in some extra soil from one of the many big projects happening downtown and create some hills and changes in terrain. I think the closer to Stone Creek Coffee you can get the better. I picture park users sipping their coffee over a conversation while letting their dogs run around.
A skate park wouldn't really have to take up too much space either. Looking at Google Maps there is a substation and then the Milwaukee Streetcar has their facility going in. The space right now is so underutilized its not even funny. Parking lots, and a bunch of dirt. Create an entire urban park/experience from the Marquette interchange all the way east. Obviously some blocks are on/off ramps and would have to be skipped but any good landscape architect/urban planner should be able to tie all of those spaces together using common themes while incorporating different elements along that stretch.
Dog Park, skate park, tennis courts, basketball courts, playground, stage. I wish there was an easier way to look at the space to sort of see what we are working with than looking at google maps/streetview.
A skate park wouldn't really have to take up too much space either. Looking at Google Maps there is a substation and then the Milwaukee Streetcar has their facility going in. The space right now is so underutilized its not even funny. Parking lots, and a bunch of dirt. Create an entire urban park/experience from the Marquette interchange all the way east. Obviously some blocks are on/off ramps and would have to be skipped but any good landscape architect/urban planner should be able to tie all of those spaces together using common themes while incorporating different elements along that stretch.
Dog Park, skate park, tennis courts, basketball courts, playground, stage. I wish there was an easier way to look at the space to sort of see what we are working with than looking at google maps/streetview.
There is! Going there in person by bicycle or on foot!I wish there was an easier way to look at the space to sort of see what we are working with than looking at google maps/streetview.
No.. i mean for me to visualize the space from above block by block. If i had a way to visualize how much space is underutilized and could be tied into this I could create a much better vision for the space. Right now to me, I can visualize certain pieces but I can’t really put it all together without seeing it all together. Looking from above you see the freeway and from street view or seeing it in person it’s hard to see or realize how much room is actually down there. These are essentially entire city blocks.There is! Going there in person by bicycle or on foot!
Ah, yes... I'll see if I can find a city plot map I can scan for you.No.. i mean for me to visualize the space from above block by block. If i had a way to visualize how much space is underutilized and could be tied into this I could create a much better vision for the space. Right now to me, I can visualize certain pieces but I can’t really put it all together without seeing it all together. Looking from above you see the freeway and from street view or seeing it in person it’s hard to see or realize how much room is actually down there. These are essentially entire city blocks.
How many areas under 794 are officially parking lots? And how much of the space is just unused right now? And how much would it cost for a skatepark or dog park with some astroturf? Also curious if the city's Department of Development or Parks Department have even looked into 794. Would love to have a forumer from either department able to loop in on this. If MKE could activate under 794 in a meaningful way, that would be an absolute game changer. It could be done affordably too with some creative lighting, rotating murals, skateparks, dog parks, weekday foot carts, a weekend crafts market...Instead of the idiotic BC petition, anyone here want to create one for better utilizing underneath the freeway?
They had a request for proposals for the area between the River and Broadway earlier this year or maybe late last year. With the Button Block conversion nearing completion and the new Jeffers apartments, AND the streetcar going right past, I could definitely see them building something there in the near future.How many areas under 794 are officially parking lots? And how much of the space is just unused right now? And how much would it cost for a skatepark or dog park with some astroturf? Also curious if the city's Department of Development or Parks Department have even looked into 794. Would love to have a forumer from either department able to loop in on this. If MKE could activate under 794 in a meaningful way, that would be an absolute game changer. It could be done affordably too with some creative lighting, rotating murals, skateparks, dog parks, weekday foot carts, a weekend crafts market...Instead of the idiotic BC petition, anyone here want to create one for better utilizing underneath the freeway?
Is that the same lot as the existing Public Market parking?They had a request for proposals for the area between the River and Broadway earlier this year or maybe late last year. With the Button Block conversion nearing completion and the new Jeffers apartments, AND the streetcar going right past, I could definitely see them building something there in the near future.
Yes, but first phase was the lot immediately by the river. My google-fu is failing me today and I can't find it.Is that the same lot as the existing Public Market parking?
What entity owns the land under the 794 freeway (state, county, city)?
According to MCLIO, the county owns most of it, although I think WisDOT has a lot to say on how it's used/developed.What entity owns the land under the 794 freeway (state, county, city)?
Bringing this topic back to light because there still isn't a good dog park downtown. What would people think of turning the corner of N Van Buren and E Kilbourn into a fenced in dog park? I'm talking the grassy, unused land just SouthEast of the intersection.
Well it's a gravel lot with some weeds and grass growing through it, not exactly a grass lot. And it's prime for development. It was always supposed to be a second phase of those townhome style condos that are next door.Bringing this topic back to light because there still isn't a good dog park downtown. What would people think of turning the corner of N Van Buren and E Kilbourn into a fenced in dog park? I'm talking the grassy, unused land just SouthEast of the intersection.
Utilizing part of Veterans Park for an off-leash area seems like the easiest and most cost efficient option. The space is there. The grass is there. It's already owned by the county.
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