Milwaukee boasts a robust and well-structured parks system, managed by both Milwaukee County Parks and the City of Milwaukee’s Department of Public Works (DPW) in partnership with local communities. In total, there are over 150 parks in the county and more than 50 neighborhood parks in the city. These green spaces include large historic parks, scenic trails, urban pockets, nature centers, beaches, dog parks, athletic fields, and specialized facilities like botanical conservatories and sports complexes.

Milwaukee County manages expansive flagship sites like Lake Park (138 acres on Lake Michigan), Lakeshore State Park (22-acre urban state park), a network of trails including the Oak Leaf Trail (135 mi) and Hank Aaron State Trail (15.2 mi), plus specialized venues (beer gardens, golf courses, beaches). Meanwhile, the city’s DPW supports neighborhood-scale parks, playgrounds, and pocket parks—often community-designed and funded—with more than 50 such locations.

Combined, Milwaukee offers a diverse range of outdoor amenities—from Olmsted-designed historic spaces to modern shared-use trails, environmental education centers like Havenwoods State Forest, and approachable neighborhood parks—serving a wide spectrum of recreational and cultural needs.