Valley Park is one of the first and oldest immigrant neighborhoods in Milwaukee. It was also once home to seven bars. In fact, the ratio of bars to houses was so outstanding the consequences inspired the name of a neighborhood bowling league that once held the world’s record longest loosing streak: Valley Pukers. There’s more to that story, but we’ll spare you. 

Today, our neighborhood makes up one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the city, and at some abbreviated marks on our timeline, the nation. The most remarkable aspects of The Valley are the neighbors, obviously. We come from all walks of life. Most of us newcomers have only been around for 25 years or so. A quarter century may seem like a long time to still be considered new to The Valley, but to be inducted into an old-timer status around here you still have a few more generations to go. 

Kristofer Illeman just celebrated his 21st birthday down here in our last remaining establishment, The Valley Inn. Bartender Ashley served him his very first beer. Kristofer’s mother, Kristin recalled, “Ashley’s mother, Tammy, was the bartender who served me my first beer. Kristofer’s beer marks the 4th generation of carrying this tradition in our family: The tradition of being served your first beer at The Valley Inn.”

How did Kristofer like it? He seems to have taken after his mother: He did not care for beer at all. Still, he sat proud and legally aged at his neighborhood establishment and finished his beer to it’s last drop while his mother celebrated with a brandy old fashioned. 

Even neighbors who no longer live here make their way back down to celebrate special occasions from time to time. This past summer, Terri H. rented a bus and designated the Valley Park as the first stop on her 50th birthday tour. She opted for Valley Park because The Valley Inn was closed, unfortunately. Regardless, the park was a place she spent much of her childhood playing with friends. Now all grown up, it’s a place to return to her roots. The nostalgia is evident in the way her eyes trace the landmarks she came to know growing up: The War Memorial, where she used to meet with friends after school to talk about their day. The kickball field where she dominated the sport. The old, once overgrown with vines house on the corner where the purported witch used to live. Over the levee and out of sight is where unsupervised memories were made, and it’s a good thing a river can’t speak. 

What keeps us here? What beckons us to return to raise our own families, or make our way back to celebrate milestones? Our tiny micro-community continues to inspire newcomers and old- timers alike. New families now walk the same paths our old-timers have always walked. We play the same fields and sip our first beers at our one and only bar. I for one am glad to be one of the few hundred of us to find sanctuary here. Please tell us about what brought you here or what keeps you here. We’d love to post your coming of age in The Valley or finding your way home to The Valley story in one of our future newsletters

Announcements: 

Halloween

What are your plans? Yes, I’m talking to you, Tim and Tom. Please let us know when the children can pick a pumpkin and when we can line up in costumes for candy at your door. 

The city-wide Trick or Treat takes place Sunday, Oct. 27, 1-4 p.m. Don’t forget to turn your porch light on if you are participating.

If any of you would be interested in coordinating a map on NextDoor for homes open for trick or treating, please reach out to us. We’d be happy to help get the word out. 

Police Contacts

Just because it’s always good to know, click here for the 3rd district webpage. As a reminder, whenever you hear gunfire/shots, call 9-1-1 to report them.

Lastly, the core members of the Valley Park Civic Association have been working on-

Garbage Collection- At times, it seems the City has forgotten we are here. If you have found your garbage loaded with flotsam and abandoned, please call this number to have it collected: 414-286-CITY (2489)

Abandoned houses- With the demand for housing, it is a shame this is so.

Molson-Coors- A petition will be coming door to door for you to sign requesting Molson-Coors keep humane trucking hours in their truck lots adjacent to our neighborhood and that their employees stop dumping their garbage from their cars parked on the corner of bluemound and N 40th. Please reach out if you would like to schedule a time to sign this petition. Once the trees come down next year for the flood prevention plans, the noise from the truck yard will be amplified. We need our sleep!

Light Up the Valley- We’d like to coordinate as a neighborhood to celebrate the holiday season like we never have before. If you have extra lights you are able to donate to your neighbors who might not, please let us know. Also, if you are able to help string lights for our shorter neighbors, we’d appreciate that as well. 

As always, we need volunteers. The more the merrier. If you have an extra hour or two, or a skill  to dedicate towards keeping Valley Park viable and connected, don’t hesitate to reach out today! ValleyParkCA@gmail.com