That’s why we’re partnering with the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District and Greenprint Partners to install green infrastructure on our property through the Fresh Coast Green Communities program.
Green infrastructure uses plants and soil to soak up and clean stormwater. Our new additions will capture more than 65,000 gallons of water every time there is a major storm, which means less water going into Milwaukee’s sewer system. When the sewers get too full, they can overflow into Lake Michigan. By reducing the risk of these overflows, our project helps keep Lake Michigan clean!
What we’re doing.
We’re introducing several green infrastructure elements: a bioretention basin, native plants, stormwater trees and a rainwater harvesting system.
● Bioretention basin: The landscaped depression on the eastern side of the park will use plants and soil to capture and treat stormwater. We will place sculptures throughout the basin to connect art and nature. When the basin fills up, it will look like our sculptures are floating on top of the water!
● Rainwater harvesting system: This system will collect stormwater from the future solar pavilion’s roof, providing a sustainable water source for our gardens.
● Native plants: Native plants will be integrated throughout the site. They thrive in our local climate, have deep roots that help water soak into the ground, are tolerant to both drought and flooding, and support pollinators.
● Stormwater trees: Thirty-seven stormwater trees will be planted to absorb water into the ground or hold it on their leaves and branches until it evaporates.
Learn more
Want to learn more about our new green infrastructure features?
Contact Derrick at management@artintersectionmke.com for more information or to schedule a site visit.
Why we’re doing it.
Art Intersection MKE’s Founder, President and CEO Derrick Cainion envisions the site’s green space as an outdoor oasis for the Washington Park neighborhood. Art Intersection MKE will deploy green infrastructure to advance environmental justice, bring nature closer to home, and strengthen community connections.
Art will be woven throughout the landscape in the form of sculptures, murals, and interactive installations. This integration of creativity and sustainability will transform the space into a dynamic, engaging environment for all to explore and enjoy.
Rendering Courtesy of KCB Buildings, LLC
Embracing Sustainability through our Green Infrastructure Project
Welcome to a greener future at Art Intersection MKE!
At Art Intersection MKE, we believe art and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. We are deeply committed to creating spaces that inspire connection– to the arts, to each other and to the natural world. We prioritize sustainability to set an example for how community spaces can support both people and the planet.
“Art intersects with everything we do as human beings.”
— Derrick Cainion, President & CEO of Art Intersection MKE