At the Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA) Governor’s Conference in downtown Milwaukee, Davidson Park was front and center stage.
Davidson Park has quickly become a vibrant public space in Milwaukee’s Near West Side, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Harley-Davidson Motor Company Foundation, Near West Side Partners, the Forest County Potawatomi Community, and the surrounding neighborhoods – all brought to life by Greenfire. As the construction manager, Greenfire played a crucial role in turning the Foundation’s vision into reality. Working with International project designers Heatherwick Studio and local architects and engineers HGA, the project team was able to centrifuge community collaboration, historical symbolism, locally sourced design elements and sustainable functionality into a thriving yet evolving public space.
Greenfire’s Simmi Urbanek, Director of Marketing and Business Development, moderated a panel featuring key project stakeholders for Davidson Park. The panel included April Gianeselli, Manager Community Impact, Harley-Davidson Foundation, Peter Balistrieri, Principal, HGA and Lindsey St. Arnold-Bell, Executive Director, Near West Side Partners.
The panel shared insights on how private-public partnerships and neighborhood engagement coalesced in the development of Davidson Park. In the initial development phases, a series of “Appreciative Inquiry Summits” helped refine the project vision, ensuring that community input shaped everything from the design of the park’s playground and gathering spaces to sustainable stormwater management solutions.
Davidson Park was designed to celebrate Harley-Davidson’s legacy; help revitalize the Near West Side and create a year-round gathering space. Key design elements include:
- Flexible, Multi-Purpose Space: A destination that supports recreation, cultural events, and neighborhood programs throughout the year. Since opening in June 2024, Davidson Park has already hosted over 15 community events, bringing new energy, resources, and experiences to the Near West Side. The park has not only met its original vision but has also inspired unexpected uses—such as live music and dance performances—further enriching the neighborhood.
- Sustainable Solutions: Replacing a parking lot with green space. Pervious pavers, and retention basins helped to manage stormwater and reduce strain on the sewer system. Also, the utilization of reclaimed and locally sourced building materials and native plantings.
- Community-Driven Features: Residents helped shape the park’s garden, playground, and artistic elements, ensuring it reflected their needs. Design elements of the park include student-design brick mosaic patterns, and a MIAD-student designed centralized medallion in The Hub, the park’s central point in the sunken amphitheater. The park also features a serenity garden, designed and developed in collaboration with the Forest County Potawatomi Community.
Davidson Park stands as a model for how private-public partnerships can transform urban spaces, proving that when communities are engaged from the start, the results are both meaningful and lasting.
Read more about Davidson Park and Greenfire’s construction efforts to bring it to life here.
