City of Milwaukee - File #: 251701

• File #: 251701
• Version: 0
• Type: Resolution
• Status: Passed
• File created: 2/10/2026
• In control: COMMON COUNCIL
• Final action: 3/24/2026
• Title: Resolution relating to the construction, maintenance, and funding of Stella’s Playground, Milwaukee’s first universally accessible and inclusive playground.
• Sponsors: ALD. COGGS
• Indexes: PLAYGROUNDS

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
3/26/2026	0	MAYOR	SIGNED
3/24/2026	0	COMMON COUNCIL	ADOPTED	Pass	15:0
3/11/2026	0	PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE	RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION; Minutes note: Appeared Jerrel Kruschke (DPW Commissioner), Rese Schneider, Robert (Bob) Schneider (Parents of Stella Schneider), Elizabeth Mueller. Rese Schneider (Stella’s mom) shared that Stella was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor in July 2023. Post-surgery, Stella lost major abilities (walking, talking, swallowing,smiling) and has slowly regained some function, with a long and uncertain road ahead. In summer 2024 at Reservoir Park, while using a walker, Stella told her mom, “Mom, playgrounds aren’t for me,” which became the catalyst for creating an inclusive playground. The main goal is to create the City of Milwaukee’s first universal accessible and inclusive (adaptive) playground so kids like Stella can feel “this park is for me.”	Pass	5:0
2/10/2026	0	COMMON COUNCIL	ASSIGNED TO

Number
251701
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
930217, 211710
Sponsor
ALD. COGGS
Title
Resolution relating to the construction, maintenance, and funding of Stella’s Playground, Milwaukee’s first universally accessible and inclusive playground.
Analysis
This resolution expresses the City of Milwaukee’s support for the construction and maintenance of Stella’s Playground at Kilbourn Reservoir Park and acknowledges existing authority for the acceptance and expenditure of contributions received by the Department of Public Works for that purpose.
Body
Whereas, Research shows that play space is essential for children’s physical, social, emotional and cognitive development; and

Whereas, Children with disabilities should rightfully have access to the same opportunities as their peers without disabilities; and

Whereas, Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child declares every child has a right to engage in play and entities should support and ensure equal opportunities for them to do so; and

Whereas, A survey from the Milwaukee Health Department and the Wisconsin Southeast Regional Center for Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) found that the prevalence of children with special health care needs in Milwaukee (23.5%) was almost double that of the surrounding Milwaukee metropolitan statistical area counties (12.1%), the state (13.4%), and the nation (12.8%); and

Whereas, An inclusive and accessible playground will provide a welcoming space for all children to play and socialize; and

Whereas, The City’s neighborhood playgrounds have historically been a great asset to the city and a source of pride for the community; and

Whereas, The Department of Public Works - MKE Parks is responsible for maintenance of the existing playground at Kilbourn Reservoir Park, which is managed collaboratively with Milwaukee Water Works (MWW); and

Whereas, MKE Parks and MWW are supportive of community efforts to replace the existing playground, whic...