On Tuesday morning, I joined the land stewards and the ROOT volunteers who assist them in the everyday maintenance of the public green spaces we manage. I chatted with the volunteers, some of whom have been working here at the Center for years! Others had a bit less experience, and one person was volunteering for the very first time. One thing they all shared was incredible positivity and excitement for their work. They spent the morning clipping seed heads off of an invasive grass species in order to prevent the plants from spreading further into the park.
ROOT Volunteers working in Riverside Park
On Wednesday, I went to open climb on the rock wall at the Riverside Park branch. This activity may become a weekly one for me, as I loved watching the climbers fearlessly scramble to the top of the tower. The participants at the open climb I attended were a family, three brothers and their sister. They were all seasoned climbers; two of them made it to the top, and the sister made it to the top twice! Even the youngest, at only three years old, attacked the wall with gusto and climbed until he realized that he could swing from the belay rope. After that, climbing seemed a bit less exciting than swinging!
Siblings participating in Open Climb at Riverside Park
To cap off the week, I tagged along with Mike Zeigler from our Community Programs team as he led the annual Lumberjack Paddle and Brunch. We put our kayaks and canoes into the Milwaukee River at Glendale’s Kletzsch Park, then paddled all the way down to Hubbard Park in Shorewood for a hearty lumberjack breakfast! The paddle took just long enough for everyone to have developed a healthy appetite by the time we reached our destination. The unlimited flapjacks, hash browns, and made-to-order omelets served at Hubbard Park Lodge were a well-deserved reward at the end of our journey.
Lumberjack Paddle and Brunch participants in Hubbard Park
After this week’s “quiet lull” I have a better understanding of why the Urban Ecology Center is always so busy! People are coming and going all the time, contributing to the organization in all kinds of meaningful ways through volunteering, program participation, or just exploring the buildings and the parks. I can’t wait to participate in more of the Urban Ecology Center’s everyday programs and activities!
