Lakeshore State Park has been a beloved Milwaukee park since its official official opening in June 2007, offering spectacular Downtown and Lake Michigan views. Wisconsin’s only urban state park, it has also been undergoing a continuous prairie restoration that has added to its appeal for residents and visitors alike.
The Friends of Lakeshore State Park, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Sincerely in Song will host the inaugural Wildflowers on the Water event from 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday to further boost efforts to make the peninsula-like parcel that locals once informally called Summerfest Island a hub for education, conservation and recreation.
The event, which will be held on the north end of Lakeshore State Park immediately south of Discovery World (500 N. Harbor Dr.), will feature performances by local musicians and artists, food trucks, a community drumming circle and more. Attendees can also participate on guided hikes led by a Wisconsin DNR naturalist and a variety of wildflower-inspired activities.
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“What we’re trying to do is make it an active park,” Friends of Lakeshore State Park President David Wenstrup said. “It’s the only free state park and the only urban state park in the state. A lot of people go through the park, and we want people to have a reason to stay in the park and really enjoy the beauty of the lakefront there.”
Another goal of the gathering is to rally public support for fundraising initiatives that enhance Lakeshore State Park’s amenities. The park serves as an invaluable resource for environmental and freshwater education, conservation and recreation, event organizers said.
“The 360-degree view is unique and so is having a prairie at the lakefront like that,” Wenstrup said. “Typically, prairies are in the interior of the state. They aren’t along the coastline like this.”
Wenstrup pointed out that the soil at Lake Shore State Park doesn’t sustain trees but is ideal for short-grass prairies.
“Over the years, it’s been turned into a beautiful prairie,” he said. “Sunrise there in the morning is just fantastic and so is the moonrise in the evening and the cityscape is just amazing. We’re very fortunate in Milwaukee to have this.”
Friends of Lakeshore State Park is partnering with Sincerely in Song and local singer and songwriter Sarah Fierek to curate an experience that honors the land and helps raise awareness for the work of Friends of Lakeshore State Park.
Fierek recently debuted her latest original song, “Wildflowers.” A portion of the proceeds from the song will be contributed to Friends of Lakeshore State Park.
“Every song I release I pair with a nonprofit cause or movement. In this case, we decided to produce an event together, too,” Fierek said. “Dave and the DNR and Friends of Lakeshore State Park have really invested a lot of time to bring life to the land. I wanted my release to help support their efforts and encourage the community at large to get behind their mission.”
Fierek co-wrote the track with creative partner Derek Linzy, a Grammy-nominated engineer and producer.
Sincerely in Song operates under the umbrella of Fierek’s main business, Illustrious Creative Works.
“The vision for Sincerely in Song is to morph into more of a granting foundation, but I’m not quite there yet,” Fierek said. “The idea is to have it be more of a charitable side of my publishing company. The mission is to uplift and inspire the public to get behind causes and movements with each song’s flight.”
Fierek spoke of her affinity for Lakeshore State Park.
“I grew up in the country in central Wisconsin, so I had the privilege of having land and ponds that my great-grandfather had dug on our land and having a place with nature that I can go to in the city is really important to me,” said Fierek, who served as a founding board member of the Milwaukee Parks Foundation. “The parks have always been near and dear to me and I value the opportunity to have so much great nature in a city setting. I really just love having a sanctuary where I can go to just slow my mind.”
Through the release of “Wildflowers,” Fierek said she wants to support additional prairie plantings at Lakeshore State Park.
Fierek said organizers have been working with Lindsay Stevens of Rock the Green, a Milwaukee eco-focused nonprofit, in developing the event. Compost Crusader and CannedWater4kids are involved in making the event as environmentally friendly as possible, she added.
Stone Creek Coffee is also producing a private label product for the event, Fierek noted.
“The fun part for me has also been curating an event with other really amazing local artists and creators,” she said.
Admission to Wildflowers on the Water is free, with opportunities to contribute to the park’s initiatives throughout the event.
Here’s the event lineup:
3-4 p.m.: Community Drumming with Angie Mack and live harp with Sofia Mattson
4-4:30 p.m.: Steel pan drums by Charlie Short’s Bocas Breeze Island Sounds, Solo
4:30 p.m.: Welcome and remarks
4:35 p.m.: Anne Koller “Calling in Creativity”
4:45 p.m.: Ceiba Chavez, Sound Bowl Healing Journey
5-5:20 p.m.: Sofia Mattson, harp and vocal set
5-5:40 p.m.: Kavon Cortez Jones and Next Paperback Hero (spoken word and guitar)
5:40-6:15 p.m.: Angie Mack and Sarah Fierek music set
6:15-7 p.m.: Father Sky, original music set
Attendees are welcome to remain in the park for fireworks courtesy of Festa Italiana (must be seated in a designated area determined by the DNR.)
