11/14/2023
From the Executive Director of Friends of the Domes:
Hello, Dear Friends of the Domes Members,
From the media, you know that this amazing Milwaukee icon—owned by Milwaukee County, supported by Friends of the Domes, and beloved by generations of area residents—has been in danger of demolition for years. Many ideas have been floated about how to fix the crumbling concrete and leaky seams, with no consensus about how to move forward.
Today, that has all changed. I’m proud to report that Friends of the Domes has advanced a vision for The Domes’ future that has been unanimously approved by our Board of Directors, and has received support from Milwaukee County, the Parks system and leaders of our Clarke Square community.
Our vision includes restored domes, a new café, increased educational facilities, an expanded gift shop, enhanced events space—and, importantly, long overdue steps to reinvigorate Mitchell Park itself to benefit our surrounding community. The solution will be funded by the County, municipal and other public funding sources, and private philanthropy. I’ll share more details via a webinar, but all parties agree that the plan addresses the structural shortcomings of the buildings, reactivates the park, and establishes a financially sustainable future.
And what made our plan possible? You did.
Your recent support has given Friends of the Domes credibility—the kind of credibility that comes when your organization has more than doubled its membership in just two years. When it hosts twice as many children on school field trips. When it’s increased revenue by 100% and doubled donations. Those numbers—your numbers—helped our organization win new attention, respect, and, ultimately, agreement from officials and community leaders. That’s what made this plan possible.
We are hosting a webinar where you will have the opportunity to ask questions (be sure to register by clicking the link below). That webinar will take place on Tues, Nov 21 at 12PM. Jim Tarantino, Deputy Director of Parks, and I will walk you through the vision and answer questions you might have about next steps.
Friends of the Domes just kicked off our end-of-year campaign. This special initiative raises $20,000 to support educational programming and other initiatives managed by Friends of the Domes.
Consider making a gift today online. (Or mail a gift made payable to Friends of the Domes, PO Box 1632, Milwaukee, WI 53201.)
All gifts of $100 or more are eligible for both two admissions to the Mitchell Park Domes (just in time for the holidays), and a beautiful mosaic print that was created by a local artist.
Thanks in advance for helping make the work we do possible!
For the love of nature,
Christa Beall Diefenbach
Executive Director, Friends of the Domes
