Contact: Robert Gosse, President of FLSP, rgosse@summerfest.com, 414-412-8552
Milwaukee, WI – In honor of Earth Week and John Muir, “Father of the National Park System” born April 21, 1838, the Friends of Lakeshore State Park Board of Directors invite the public to attend an open house on Tuesday, April 21 from 4-7 p.m. in the Miller Room at O’Donnell Park, 910 E. Michigan St. for the public introduction of a design study by The Kubala Washatko Architects for a new Visitor and Education Center on Lakeshore State Park. Join the board members to view the design features, discuss the project, and plan for the future.
Lakeshore State Park was dedicated in June 2007 as the first and only urban state park in the Wisconsin state park system. This proposed Visitor and Education Center with an Outdoor Plaza will be the gateway to the state parks system. Positioned between downtown Milwaukee and Lake Michigan, the Center will serve as a hub for education and social activities with emphasis on appreciating natural resources, experiencing nature and learning about environmental stewardship.
The facilities will:
• Meet transient boater needs with 24-hour secure access to restrooms and shower facilities
• Meet general visitor needs for access to public restrooms that are currently unavailable on the Park grounds
• Provide indoor multi-purpose space for education and other meeting activities
• Provide an outdoor plaza, featuring a double-sided fireplace for large and small events
• Showcase the building and plaza as sustainable demonstrations of the Living Building Challenge
The Living Building Challenge is an international building certification program created by the International Living Future Institute. More rigorous and wide-ranging than green certification programs such as LEED, the Living Building Challenge is comprised of seven performance categories called Petals: Place, Water, Energy, Health and Happiness, Materials, Equity and Beauty.
When completed, the Lakeshore State Park Visitor and Education Center will set new standards for sustainability. Key project goals include ‘Net Positive’ Energy and Water use, engineered wetland and on-site rainwater harvesting, rigorous adherence to ‘Red-List’ approved and locally-sourced construction materials, along with other innovative requirements such as the integration of ‘urban agriculture’ into the site.
The LSP Board of Directors and Friends Group members look forward to your enthusiasm, support, and help in spreading the word to others about the project. By volunteering and making a donation you can help make this dream a reality. The signature bridge in the park can lead to a new Center of ideas and learning opportunities for future generations.
