Cirque du Lake Park

2024 Cirque du Lake Park was a smashing success…but there’s more time for donations

This year’s premier annual fundraising event, Cirque du Lake Park, on Saturday, September 7, was a smashing success!

Thanks to our amazing sponsors, guests, supporters, and auction and raffle donors, the event raised $87,000 – just $13,000 shy of our $100,000 goal for lights on the Ravine Road Concrete Footbridge.

In an effort to “bridge the gap”, we are extending our fundraising efforts. If you are interested in making a donation to the Ravine Road Concrete Footbridge Lampposts, we are accepting donations with the notation “Bridge Lights” via credit card or check.

  • Credit card donations may be made on our website. Click here.
  • Credit card information may also be called in to our office at 414.962.1680.
  • Checks should be sent to: Lake Park Friends, P.O. Box 71197, Milwaukee, WI 53211

This successful effort will make it possible for Lake Park Friends to restore the historic grandeur of the bridge by bringing back the beautiful lampposts. We partnered with James Stearns at Gallas Metalworks to engineer the four lampposts. Working from a few pictures from the early 1900s and some historical sculpting detail, Gallas was able to create a beautiful design we think will accurately reflect the original lamps. Vanguard Sculpture Services estimates the cost to produce and install the four lampposts to be around $100,000 – roughly $25,000 per lamp. The project should be completed within a year.

The arched concrete footbridge was envisioned by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted in his original 1880s design for the park. The bridge was designed by Milwaukee architect Alfred C. Claus, who also designed Milwaukee’s Central Library and the Frederick Pabst Mansion, among other state landmarks. The bridge connects the park’s north and south sections and is popular with walkers, runners, bicyclists and birders.

We hope you will consider joining us as a Cirque sponsor for 2024.

Your support helps us achieve our mission of promoting the preservation and enjoyment of Lake Park and raising funds for the restoration and enhancement of the park in the spirit of Frederick Law Olmsted.

Sponsorships at $250 or above will include two tickets to Cirque.

Sponsorship levels are: 
$25,000  —  Beacon
5,000+  —  Blaze
2,000+  —  Glow
1,000+  —  Gleam
$500+  —  Shine
$250+  —  Flash
$100+  —  Glimmer
Become a Sponsor

You can also mail your sponsorship to Lake Park Friends, P.O. Box 71197, Milwaukee, WI 53211.

All donations are appreciated.

Sponsorships at the $250 level and higher that are received by August 4 will be listed in the invitation.

Sponsorships received by August 18 will be listed in materials at the event.

If you have questions, contact Ann Wollmer at [email protected] or (414) 962-1680.