In recent years, the Parks & Forestry Division "has created a stronger leadership team with significantly more trained and experienced staff dedicated to the planning, management and implementation of park and urban forestry initiatives and design," according to a memo from two council members.
Despite progress on the repairs, the city-owned Hart Park stadium has not yet officially reopened, though the Tosa East track teams have been able to practice there and are hopeful they can resume home meets soon.
The city opened its newest park to great fanfare in 2025, offering the rare green space with recreational options for west-side residents. Now it is considering an agreement with MMSD to help improve how the southeast corner handles stormwater.
Installing mobile saunas at Hart Park was a novel concept last fall when Heat Haven's owners pitched it to city officials. Now, as the inaugural season is winding down, the wellness business is counting a number of successes.
The Common Council is scheduled next week to consider and possibly approve spending up to $690,000 on a project to repair the stadium's playing surface, which was destroyed by August flooding.
The Friends of Firefly Grove Park is looking ahead to an active 2026 and soon expects to proceed with its efforts with the backing of a formal partnership with the City of Wauwatosa.
Though cars won't be able to get through, the county is turning the half-mile middle segment into a dedicated bike and pedestrian path, an extension of the Oak Leaf Trail.
Heat Haven has begun setting up its mobile saunas and cold plunges at pop-up installations in the region and has proposed a semi-permanent winter sauna park at Wauwatosa's Hart Park.
The city was able to identify just enough space outside of the flood plain and south of the parking lot to fit two single-occupancy restrooms, though installation is at least nine months off.
