Washington Park (Milwaukee)

The park was originally called West Park after the city purchased the 128.5 acres in 1891. The park is one of the oldest in the Milwaukee County Parks system. The Wisconsin Historical Society has said that the land was purchased for $387,793.75 USD. In 1900 the park was renamed Washington Park. The park's designer was landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. In 2020, the Murder of Ee Lee, took place in Washington Park. She was repeatedly raped and beaten by teenagers and left for dead. In the fall of 2022, the road through the park was renamed from Washington Park Boulevard to Olmsted Way to honor its architect. ==Design==

Olmsted's design called for bridges, ponds, lagoons and trees and shrubs. The design eventually included a zoo, and there was also a one mile horse racing track. The park also had other sports facilities including grass tennis courts and a six hole golf course. In 1938 Emil Blatz built a bandshell in the park and it was called the Blatz Temple of Music. ==See also==