Swing Park
Lower East Side, Milwaukee
1737 N Water St, Milwaukee
There’s an unfortunate lack of quality playgrounds in downtown Milwaukee, but Swing park is a nontraditional play area that expertly utilizes the space underneath the Holton Street bridge by adding sand and a variety of swinging apparatus to the industrial climbing pieces offered by the bridge beams.
If you’re driving, parking is available next to the park on Water Street, or you can park across the river on Commerce and walk across the pedestrian bridge to get the the play area. It’s also a great park to walk to if you’re already downtown. Nearby attractions include Lakefront Brewery just across the bridge, the Milwaukee Riverwalk, and tons of restaurants along Water and Brady streets.
The entire surface of the park is sand, which provides an extra element of fun. Industrial concrete benches are scattered throughout for seating, but they can be sandy and definitely aren’t comfy. A variety of swings are hung from the bridge supports, including tire swings both vertical and horizontal, and standard swings. Since they’re hung so high they’re especially exciting for kids who like to soar in the air. There’s also a freestanding accessible style swing available.
The support beams under the bridge offer a place for kids who want to do some climbing along with their swinging. There’s a beautiful mural along the back wall of the bridge, and a wooded green area nearby. It’s a busy spot with people walking, biking, scooting and driving through regularly. There are no bathrooms, water fountains or picnic tables available.
If you want to make it a park-hop, head across the bridge and pick up the Oak Leaf trail which will take you into Kadish Park, which offers a beautiful walk through a large green space with awesome views of the city. Kadish Park connects to Kilbourn Reservoir Park if you want to keep walking, or hit another playground!
