According to a press release issued yesterday, Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele and the Milwaukee County Parks Department are recommending the addition of a new beer garden at Scout Lake Park in the Village of Greendale. The proposed beer garden would be the second beer garden sited inside a Milwaukee County park, joining the successful beer garden at Estabrook Park.
The Parks Department estimates the County could potentially collect $80,000 in 2014 and $100,000 in 2015 in revenue from the beer garden. The proposed beer garden would feature a number of beer and wine options as well as food and non-alcoholic drinks. The beer garden would be open daily from 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. and not serve alcohol after 9:00 p.m.
“Since taking office I’ve tasked departments across the County to look for strong partnerships and opportunities to strengthen the community; this project epitomizes our efforts,” County Executive Abele said. “I appreciate the support the County Board has shown in backing the Estabrook Park Beer Garden and I’m hopeful they share my excitement in this plan. I want to thank the Parks Department and Director John Dargle for helping create this opportunity.”
While I’m certainly enthusiastic about Milwaukee County adding a beer garden on the south side of Milwaukee County, I can’t help but wonder how Scout Lake Park was determined to be the best location for the beer garden, given the wealth of absolutely great parks on the south side of Milwaukee County – many of which would seem to be more accessible (not to mention more logical) than Scout Lake Park.
Scout Lake Park? That was my immediate reaction when they named the specific park instead of just saying a park in Greendale. Doesn’t make much sense when you have great south side parks like Wilson, Humboldt, Southshore, Grant, Jackson, etc. Humboldt or Wilson would make the most sense based on size and popularity…Humboldt certainly…a beer garden would compliment the activities at the band shell there.
Parks Dept. put out a broad call for proposals, and apparently this was one such response. Naturally I can’t speak for any of my colleagues on Parks Committee or the full board, but given the success of the Estabrook and Hoyt Park beer gardens, I think this will go through. There were more. Stay tuned.
Jason, thanks for the comment – I appreciate the insight!
Obviously I’m biased, given where I live, but I think Sheridan Park would be a great location for a beer garden.
Jason, what Zach said times 2.