Community-driven recreation

ALBA School and Burnham Playfield

Location	Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Client	Milwaukee Recreation
Expertise	Inclusive & Accessible Design, Community Collaboration
Size	2.75 acres
Completion	2022

The renovation of ALBA School and Burnham Playfield – two properties located directly across from one another – was part of Milwaukee Recreation’s broader initiative to modernize outdoor playfields and fieldhouses throughout the Milwaukee Public Schools district. Together, the sites were reimagined as vibrant, inclusive spaces that promote creative play and offer dynamic water and recreational experiences

Milwaukee alba burnham playfield aerial site design group

Colorful playground equipment and painted surfaces energize the landscape, while splash pads, basketball courts, soccer fields, and other amenities foster activity, wellness, and social connection. Community gardens and rain gardens further enrich the site, supporting environmental education and long-term stewardship.

Milwaukee alba burnham playfield ribbon cutting site design group

Community engagement was central to the design process. Bilingual public meetings, conducted in English and Spanish, ensured that local voices meaningfully shaped the program and features. The Burnham Playfield design draws inspiration from the Hispanic nursery rhymes, while the ALBA School playground references elements of historic Aztec culture – celebrating the neighborhood’s cultural identity through play and form.

Milwaukee alba burnham playfield aerial play site design group

Partially funded through a Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District (MMSD) Green Infrastructure Grant, the project integrates creative stormwater strategies throughout the site. Bioswales, permeable paving, and permeable sport courts manage runoff while enhancing the aesthetic and experiential quality of the landscape.

Mi escuelita, mi escuelita,
Yo la quiero con amor,
Porque en ella, porque en ella,
Es que aprendo la lección.

Por la mañana temprano,
Lo primero que yo hago,
Saludar a mi maestra,
Y después a mi trabajo.

Mi escuelita, mi escuelita,
Yo la quiero con amor,
Porque en ella, porque en ella,
Es que aprendo la lección.

My little school, my little school,
I love it so much
Because in it, because in it,
The fact is, I learn my lessons.

In the early morning,
The first thing that I do,
Is to say hi to my teacher,
And then to my work.

My little school, my little school,
I love it so much
Because in it, because in it,
The fact is, I learn my lessons.