Milwaukee’s King Park Secures $100,000 for New Natural Grass Field
A $100,000 grant awarded to the Milwaukee Parks Foundation will support the installation of a natural grass field at King Park, a 21-acre public space owned and managed by Milwaukee County Parks. The funding comes from the Green Bay Packers, operating in partnership with the NFL Foundation and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation through the LISC Grassroots Field Grant Program.
The grant will support renovations on the existing multi-use athletic field in the southwest corner of King Park. The upgraded field will continue to support high school football practices, flag football and athletic training. The nearby Milwaukee Academy of Science has committed to using the field for football in the fall and track in the spring. By providing a safe, reliable playing surface, the project will also create new opportunities for seasonal clinics, community events and year-round youth engagement.
Partnerships Built Over Decades
The nationwide initiative behind the grant has deep roots. Since 1998, the NFL Foundation and LISC have worked together to help young people stay active by funding safe, accessible places to play. Across nearly three decades, the partnership has distributed more than $70 million to community organizations and schools, resulting in the construction or refurbishment of nearly 500 fields nationwide. LISC itself brings decades of community development experience to the table, having invested $38 billion since its founding in 1979 to create affordable housing, educational spaces, and neighborhood amenities. The NFL Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of those touched by football, supports the health and safety of athletes and communities across the country.
For nearly 30 years, the NFL Foundation and LISC have helped expand access to safe, high-quality places for young people to play, grow and connect. Through the Grassroots Field Grant Program, we are proud to support local leaders who are creating healthier communities and opening more pathways for youth to experience the benefits of football.
That local leadership in Milwaukee falls to the Milwaukee Parks Foundation. Founded in 2019 as an independent nonprofit, the organization partners closely with Milwaukee County Parks to build philanthropic and community support for the park system. Local agencies chosen for the program receive both financing and technical assistance, and oversee the construction, maintenance and programming for each field.
Local Funding Creates Safe Sports Spaces
The project addresses a need for safe, reliable playing surfaces. Regarding the broader impact of such projects, LISC Vice President of Sports & Recreation Beverly Smith noted, These new fields, like all of those the NFL Grassroots Program has established over the years, will provide opportunities for young people to compete in safe, healthy, structured environments.
While the grant provides the financial catalyst, the King Park field relies on local oversight and community programming. The project serves to support students, athletes, and families throughout Milwaukee. The program has historically targeted areas lacking access to well-maintained play spaces, having supported 416 fields thus far. Organizations interested in future funding should note that the next Grassroots funding cycle begins January 31, 2022, with a proposal submission deadline of May 31, 2022.
