MILWAUKEE – Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson recently introduced a resolution celebrating the contributions of Frederick Law Olmsted to Milwaukee County and Washington Park by renaming the portion of Washington Boulevard in Washington Park to Olmsted Way. Chairwoman Nicholson and Supervisor Peter Burgelis are asking the public to share their thoughts on the proposed name change.
“Frederick Law Olmsted’s design of Washington Park deserves to be celebrated. The landscape architecture in the park has shaped how people have enjoyed the space for more than 130 years and will continue to shape how we enjoy it for the next 100,” said Chairwoman Nicholson. “Naming this stretch of road ensures we remember this history.”
“Having Olmsted Way run through Washington Park gives us the unique opportunity to uplift a historic figure whose work was vital to the development of our parks system,” said Supervisor Burgelis, whose district includes Washington Park. “I’d like to encourage all residents of Milwaukee County—especially those near Washington Park—to contact my office with comments and follow File 22-769 on the Milwaukee County Legislative Information Center. The public is welcome to provide in-person testimony or e-comments about the proposed name change.”
“Renaming the road in this way will help draw attention to what a treasure the park is, building community pride and support for continued efforts to ensure it is maintained and preserved for future generations,” said Jeremy T. Ebersole, Executive Director, Milwaukee Preservation Alliance.
Olmsted is well regarded in Milwaukee for designing Lake, Riverside and Washington parks, as well as Newberry Boulevard. He is most known worldwide for designing New York City’s Central Park, Boston’s Emerald Necklace, and the grounds of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
This year marks the 200th anniversary of Olmsted’s birth. The Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum is commemorating the occasion with its “In the Park with Olmsted: A Vision for Milwaukee” exhibit, running through September 25.
The resolution has been referred to the Committee on Parks and Culture.
