Lake Park was designed in the late 19th century by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed Central Park in New York City along with many others. Believing that access to nature had a civilizing and restorative effect on the urban public, Olmsted designed Lake Park in the Romantic tradition, with a preference for natural (over formal) landscaping, winding paths, a variety of vistas, incorporation of wildlife, and a balance between active recreation and more passive enjoyment.[4][5]
Milwaukee architect Alfred Clas designed the park's pavilion, dedicated in 1903, as well as the grand stairway, added in 1908, that led from the pavilion to the lakeshore promenade below.[6]
Covering 138.1-acre (559,000 m2) on the shore of Lake Michigan,[2] the park is part of a mostly contiguous stretch of lakefront amenities that extend north from Milwaukee's downtown, including Bradford Beach, various parks, McKinley Marina, and the Milwaukee Art Museum.
The park terrain includes both bluffs and ravines. In addition, Lake Park is home to the last remaining Indian mound in the city of Milwaukee.[7] The others were destroyed by early settlers of the city and surrounding area.[4]
A 6-hole golf course was built in 1903, expanding to 18 holes in 1930.[4]
Lake Park is the favorite park of John Hamann, a local celebrity known as the Milverine for his resemblance to Wolverine when walking shirtless.[9]
History
This section needs to be updated. The reason given is: decade-long closure of Ravine Road, historic pedestrian bridge reconstruction, and the park's increasing prominence in urbanism debates. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(November 2023)
In July 2016, Lake Park became a popular location for Poké-Stops in the game Pokémon Go. In August 2016, the Milwaukee County Parks Department asked Niantic to remove the game stops until a permit was received, in compliance with a county ordinance.[10]
