From the Ground Up
The Park opened in 2007, and was entirely re-graded to bare ground and seeded before opening. All of the native and turf grass areas are relatively new and still under development. It will take time for the soil to develop and support the desired species of plants that will in turn support native wildlife.

Trees
Park visitors often wonder why there are no trees on the island portion of the park. When the Park was being planned, there was widespread agreement among the various interested parties that the view of Lake Michigan should be preserved. Plantings on the former island portion are limited to prairie and turf. There are over 50 trees north of the pedestrian bridge, which will provide shady access to the park when mature.

Prairies
The natural areas of the park consist of short-grass prairies, a plant association native to Wisconsin but not the Milwaukee area. Short grass prairies were selected because of their drought resistance, variety of colorful flowers, wildlife habitat and colorful winter grasses. Little bluestem, prairie dropseed, and sideoats gramma dominate the grasses. Among the flowers, the bright orange butterfly weed, purple prairie clover and yellow coreopsis dominate in the summer. Fall brings a variety of asters to provide late-season color. Watch for the “Plant of the Week” signs for what is currently in bloom.

In 2008 and 2009, the Park staff planted prairie demonstration areas north of the bridge and just north of the fishing pier. Their purpose was to show park visitors how the large prairies will eventually look. They also provide examples of natural landscaping for homes and businesses that do not get too tall or untidy. These plantings are flourishing with over 30 species of flowers, and now provide habitat and color year round. Signs in these areas identify the plants.

The large prairie areas are in the early stages, where weed control is the critical to allowing the prairie plants to grow and mature. Most weeding is done by repeated machete cutting, the only efficient way to deal with the vast numbers of weeds and the hard soil. Watch for the “Weed of the Week” signs that identify what problem plants we are currently removing.