Harbor View Plaza

This is a neat little playground by the water. The climbing structure has a big red tube slide. There is also a smaller baby slide. In the summer they have the water feature turned on which kids can splash around in. My only complaint is there is usually garbage at the park.

The drinking fountains were turned off (May 2nd). This place is a good place to launch a kayak. Parking was ample.

It’s been a few years since we visited Jones Island and the Great Lakes Water Institute. What a wonderful job UWM and partners did with this space. It appeared to have been done in 2019 and gave the public some access to the waterway here. A small tower gives a slightly better perspective of the area around, but the narrow viewing slots give an indication of what is wrong with things here. Children were unsupervised and a constant stream of the landscaping rock was being thrown into the water as the mom did not care. Chalk had been used to draw genitalia throughout the area. Not a few, but many, in many colors. The left decorative gate, made from perhaps a 5x5 square of steel, showed distress where it was hit by a large vehicle and pushed intentionally to wreck the gateway. A security guard sat down the block in his truck by the railroad tracks. The whole plaza is undergoing gentrification, and it’s an exciting process to watch. This area was well done, but I’m afraid it will not last long unless they can change attitudes.

What a treasure! Small playground with overlook tower, fountains & pumps for water play, and wildlife all around thanks to the bioswales & abundant perennials. Such a cool oasis just blocks from major city streets, close to the bike path too.

Charming small park with views of Jones Island, harbor activity, and the downtown skyline to the north. There are a plenty of benches and some fountains and engaging water features, along with some presumably native prairie style plants in the space between the park and the UWM building (I saw bees and butterflies). The park could use some shade, but it will take some time for the trees to grow.