An oft-neglected aspect of the years-old conversation about the future of the Mitchell Park Domes is the neighborhood surrounding the park—and, more specifically, the people who live in that neighborhood. Sure, general questions about deferred maintenance, preservation, and/or building a super sweet zip line in the Domes are important, but so are the specific concerns of the folks who call the Mitchell Park area home.

Now, as Milwaukee County awaits the release of a real-deal, this-is-the-last-one-we-swear consultant report about what to do with the beleaguered landmarks, a public input session hosted by Milwaukee County Supervisor (and Milwaukee Record contributor) Juan Miguel Martinez aims to give Mitchell Park neighbors a chance to voice their “thoughts on future plans and construction ideas.”

“It is time people who live in the area have a say in what goes on in our parks!” reads a flyer. The event is set for Monday, June 5, from 5-7 p.m., at the Mitchell Park Pavilion. There will be music, as well as free food from Sabor Divino.


“Most people in the surrounding community don’t go to The Domes,” Martinez tells Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service. “I do doors around my neighborhood, and people haven’t been in years or haven’t been there at all.

“The simple fact is that it’s unsustainable right now,” he continues. “It has the feel of a suburban playground, and I’d rather it be used by more people in the community.”

A chunk of fallen concrete was discovered in one of the Mitchell Park Domes way back in 2016. Emergency closures, emergency nets, and endless task forces and studies have followed. The real-deal, this-is-the-last-one-we-swear consultant report—this one from The Concord Group—is expected this summer. It will contain four redevelopment options for the Domes (including demolition), and provide up-to-date costs for each option.

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Matt Wild weighs between 140 and 145 pounds. He lives on Milwaukee's east side.