Enderis Playground
Enderis Park Neighborhood, Milwaukee
2938 N 72nd Street, Milwaukee
Enderis Playground has so much to offer. This is not just a playground on a city block. Bordered by 72nd street to the west, the park stretches from Chambers Ct to Locust St and features a baseball diamond, tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, soccer nets, horseshoe courts, paved walking paths, a wading pool, and more.
There is parking on 72nd, but you can also park on Chambers Ct. or in the small parking lot off the court near the baseball field. Across from the baseball field there is a paved lot with my kids’ favorite: a giant painted United States map. They love to travel the country, running from state to state. Four square courts are also painted on, as well as a snail-like spiral hopscotch game. There’s a set of swings here for those who just want to swing without the rest of the playground stuff.
Continue along the path past the building in the center (the park hosts a Farmer’s Market, summer concerts and other events) to the main playground area and you’ll see all the exciting play options. More swings! Natural sandpit area! Huge web swing! Giant spinner! Besides the main playground (which has cool climbing areas tucked underneath the slides and platforms), there are a few pockets with more slides and climbing equipment. Everything is bordered by upended log chunks of varying heights which offer an additional balancing challenge.
Trees surround the play area for plenty of shade, and there are lots of benches. A little free library is near the swing area. The terrain is mostly rubber with wood chips in places. There are logs and large rocks to scale, and grassy areas to run around. Paths are always busy with dog walkers and other pedestrians, and there’s a network of stone archways with built in benches and picnic tables. My kids love to run under them and they’re great for a picnic lunch.
A network of signs along the walking path offers fun activities and suggestions, with corresponding painted sidewalk decorations.
In the summer, cool off in the wading pool. The pool is fenced and has a giant mushroom raining water down at the center. No changing clothes or diapers in the pool area - use the nearby bathroom building. The pool is staffed but does not provide lifeguards.
Take a walk to the south end of the park to check out the Magic Grove - a steel sculpture installed in 2004 that has become iconic of the park and neighborhood. The park (and the neighborhood) are named for Dorothy Enderis, an MPS teacher who championed recreation and education programs. You can learn more about the park and its events and offerings from the Enderis Park Neighborhood Association.
If you’re walking nearby, Triangle Park at 67th & Emory and Squirrel park at 72nd and Hadley are lovely green areas to walk through in the Enderis Park neighborhood.
