MILWAUKEE – Leaders from The Ability Center, Milwaukee County, Milwaukee County Parks, and design partners from IMPACT Parks broke ground Wednesday on Moss Universal Park, a $10 million redevelopment project that will transform the former Wisconsin Avenue Park in Wauwatosa into a first-of-its-kind, 18-acre universally inclusive park. Once complete, the county park will feature recreational areas and amenities designed for individuals of all ages and abilities.
“It is an absolute joy to be moving forward with the development of the United States’ first universal park where everybody will be able to play together. The Ability Center has been proud to create many universally inclusive ‘firsts’ for our Milwaukee County community – we have partnered with the County to increase accessibility at Bradford Beach, Veterans and Red Arrow Park – creating opportunities for everybody to play together, regardless of ability,” said Damian Buchman, founder and CEO of The Ability Center. “Moss Universal Park will be an amplification of each of those efforts, creating a truly inclusive 18-acre park filled with recreation opportunities – a fitting way to celebrate the 33rd anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.”
“We know more than 25 percent of households in Milwaukee County have at least one family member who has a disability, and of 15,000 acres of Milwaukee County parks, there are currently no universally inclusive parks,” said County Executive David Crowley. “Those families have lacked an equitable opportunity to partake in play, recreation, and other physical activities. I want to thank The Ability Center, my colleagues at the County Parks and all those who are making Moss Universal Park a reality – your efforts to transform this space into a universally inclusive park brings us one step closer to creating a more equitable county.”
The Ability Center has partnered with the national experts at IMPACT Parks to design Moss Universal Park, a multi-generational, universally inclusive and accessible space for people of all ages and abilities. Once complete, community members and visitors will be able to enjoy play and fitness pockets, a family fitness area, a clubhouse with universally inclusive restrooms, sensory rooms, enhanced baseball fields, picnic areas, a half-mile of universally inclusive trails, a challenge course, and much more. Seasonal, adaptive equipment will be available for free rental including bikes, trail chairs, and cross country skis for inclusive enjoyment of the park year round.
“Moss Universal Park will be a beacon of universal accessibility, fostering a sense of belonging for individuals of all abilities. We are grateful to be part of this significant milestone that promotes equity, inclusion, and embraces diversity,” said Guy Smith, Executive Director of the Milwaukee County Parks.
Groundbreaking launches the first of a two-phase project. Phase one will include the development of the park clubhouse, playground, baseball fields and parking lot and is expected to be completed by Summer 2024. Phase two will improve the west side of the park, including by developing universally inclusive paths, fitness and play pockets and an inclusive challenge course. Partners anticipate the full redevelopment will be completed in Summer 2025.
In recognition of a transformative $2.5 million gift from the George F. Moss Foundation Trust, the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors on June 22, 2023 renamed the former Wisconsin Avenue Park – located at 103000 W. Wisconsin Avenue – as Moss Universal Park.
To date, more than $4.1 million has been committed toward the project, including through a more than $1.1 million Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) grant and a $500,000 gift from the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee.
