Milwaukee’s Newberry Boulevard recognized as “Great Street” by American Planning Association

East Newberry Boulevard, a 12-block boulevard that connects Riverside Park with Lake Park on Milwaukee’s east side, has been named one of the nation’s ten “Great Streets” by the American Planning Association (APA). The designation, made through APA’s Great Places in America program, singled out East Newberry as an iconic example of the boulevard planning concepts espoused by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead Sr., who designed both Lake and Riverside Parks in Milwaukee (and Central Park in New York City).

The designation also noted the outstanding concentration of architecturally distinguished homes, built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, that line East Newberry Boulevard. The street showcases 101 fine residences and represents a veritable catalogue of residential styles, according to APA.

“Newberry is one of Milwaukee’s earliest boulevards, and remains today as perhaps its most gracious example within our 120 mile boulevard system,” said Mayor Tom Barrett. “Milwaukeeans consider boulevards important neighborhood amenities. In addition to their beauty, the boulevards are environmental assets that enhance our city’s sustainability.”

"It is a true pleasure to walk, bike, or drive along Newberry Boulevard, a tree lined string of grassy islands gracefully connecting two of the world's most scenic freshwater bluffs - Lake Park and Riverside Park (part of the Milwaukee River Greenway),” said 3rd District Alderman Nik Kovac. “I walked along the boulevard every day to and from Riverside High School and played football in the median when I was younger. The trees were convenient first down markers. The residents of Milwaukee's East Side, and everyone who lives along the Fresh Coast of America are lucky to have this tree-lined right of way connecting a source and basin for 20% of this planet's fresh water."

Newberry was Milwaukee’s second boulevard, designated as such in 1897. Highland Boulevard on Milwaukee’s west side was the first, designated two years earlier. The boulevard was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.

More information about the history of East Newberry Boulevard and APA’s Great Places in America program is available at www.planning.org/greatplaces/streets/2009/index.htm#EN.