The Urban Ecology Center began in 1990 as an idea...perhaps the natural ecology of an under used, crime ridden park could be used as a place to bring local school children to learn. Perhaps this use would drive the crime away. It worked! Today the 15 acre wooded area along the river is managed by the Center as an outdoor classroom for neighborhood schools. With the current facility as a base, the Center will continue to be an important conduit between residents and nature. This green facility was built totally with community support.
We are proud and excited about our 20,000-sq.-ft. green building. Dedicated in September 2004, the building has won national awards for its use of recycled or renewable materials. With the current facility as a base, the Center will continue to be an important conduit between residents and nature.
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Stream Slide. Slide down the river to Lake Michigan! Find the secret entrance to the slide on the north side of the building. |
Native Wisconsin Animal Room. Visit the Center’s painted and snapping turtles, snakes and bullfrogs. Each tank is labeled with the eco-zone it represents, such as Prairie, Oak Savannah, Wetland, etc., all found in Riverside Park! |
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First Floor Community Area. Relax with a book or play one of our games. The furniture, made from fast growing willow and poplar trees, is from the La Lune Collection (lalunecollection.com). The faceplates found in the chimney behind the stove represent the companies who originally created this brick. |
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River System Tanks. These 16-ft.-long tanks contain a cross section of aquatic life found in the Milwaukee River. See if you can find the mudpuppy! |
Camouflage Room. Bet you can’t find this “hidden” classroom.
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Crayfish Touch Tank. Search this round steel tank for the crayfish that live inside. How many elusive creatures can you find?
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Sustainable Building Resource Center. Learn about the recycled and sustainable materials used in the Center and how you can use these materials in your home. |
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Second Floor Exhibit Hall. The maple floor is from the old Bartlett Avenue School, torn down in 1990. The floor, seeing new life at the Ecology Center, was originally laid in 1896. |
Green Roof & Deck. A green roof is a live, growing green space on top of a human-made structure. It manages excess water run off by keeping it out of the sewers, insulates the garage and reduces temperature gain from the roof. The deck is made of African Benghazi hard wood left over from the Atlantic City boardwalk. |
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Community Room. Multipurpose room for workshops, lectures and party rentals. Why not use the UEC for your next get together? Call 964-8505 or pick up an info sheet from the reception desk if you are interested in renting any room. |
Tunnel to Oak Leaf Recreational Trail. (basement entrance). Use this direct entrance to the Milwaukee County Oak Leaf Recreational Trail. |
Both Executive Director, Ken Leinbach and Director of Education, Beth Fetterley led the design team for the State-of-the-Art green building. Join Ken every Wednesday morning for a tour of the building and park or Beth every Wednesday evening for a building tour. For group tours, contact Tim Vargo at tvargo@urbanecologycenter.org.
The Urban Ecology Center is a testament to what a group of creative individuals can do when they share resources, talents and ideas. Thanks to a rich community of committed citizens providing thousands of hours of volunteer support, Riverside Park is being transformed into a vibrant (and safe) community space and a national model for urban environmental education. If you'd like to join our community contact Ginger Duiven, Development Manager, at (414) 964-8505, x106.