Local Girl’s Cancer Journey Inspires Campaign to Build Milwaukee’s First Accessible Playground
Volunteer Group to Build Stella’s Playground at Kilbourn Reservoir Park
MILWAUKEE – Amidst a long-term fight to overcome a cancerous brain tumor, Stella Schneider returned to her favorite park in Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood and said sadly, “this park is not for me.” Today, a group of volunteers are launching a campaign that aims to change that by building
Stella’s Playground, the first universally accessible and inclusive playground in the City of Milwaukee.
According to Stella’s mom, Rese Schneider, “Stella not only had to fight cancer, she had to learn to do everything again, including swallowing, moving her body, talking, and walking. And she is still fighting. As a parent, you would do anything to help your kid. You wish you had a magic wand to make it all better. So when Stella felt like she didn’t belong on the playground, I knew that this was a problem that I could fix, but I’d need the support of the community to make it happen.”
Inspired by some of Stella’s favorite things: dragons, the color purple and a world of imagination, a planning effort and fundraising campaign are underway to transform the north end of Reservoir Park located along East Meinecke Avenue, between North Booth and North Bremen streets.
As Reservoir Park is one of 52 parks owned and operated by the City of Milwaukee, the volunteer organization is working in partnership with the City and Mayor Cavalier Johnson to support the playground planning and design process. Joe Kaltenberg, City of Milwaukee Parks Manager, has provided crucial planning guidance and expertise, and the project has gotten full support from District 6 Alderwoman Milele Coggs. The park will be built to City standards and incorporate community input. “This new accessible playground represents an important milestone for Milwaukee. It ensures that children of all abilities have a place to play, connect, and feel included. We’re proud to be creating a space where every family feels welcome and every child can thrive,” said Mayor Cavalier
Johnson.
With input from the volunteer group, the City has engaged Play by Design, national leaders at creating inclusive playgrounds, to help imagine the design for Stella’s Playground, and will move forward with the planning effort with input from Riverwest neighbors, Stella’s classmates at Maryland Avenue School, other nearby elementary schools, and other stakeholders from throughout Milwaukee.
The City has committed a lead gift of $200,000 toward the project, using previously allocated funds designed to improve accessibility in city parks. In total, the volunteer group hopes to raise $2 million in cash and in-kind donations to bring Stella’s vision to life for all of Milwaukee to enjoy.
“Stella’s Playground is a powerful example of what happens when a community comes together to make every child feel seen and supported,” said District 6 Alderwoman Milele Coggs. “I’m honored to support a project that is creating a space where joy and accessibility go hand in hand.”
Stella turns 9 years old today, on May 7. The group hopes to celebrate her 10th birthday with a celebration at the new playground. To learn more, volunteer, or donate, please visit
www.stellasplayground.org.
