By Mrinal Gokhale
The Mitchell Park Domes Re-Opening. (Photo Mrinal Gokhale)
Poinsettias, nests, burrows, pansies and other winter plants decorated the Show Dome of the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory on Dec. 1 as a part of their “Not a Creature Was Stirring” holiday floral show. After almost a year of being closed, the conservatory, also known as “The Domes” officially became reopen to the public on this day.
The morning began with a strings performance by youth from Latino Arts, an organization that provides Latino/Hispanic arts programming in Milwaukee community, following a flower “ribbon” cutting ceremony.
Northwestern Mutual Foundation was the main sponsor this day, which allowed for free admission all day.
The Mitchell Park Conservatory, a longtime Milwaukee attraction, features the Desert Dome, Show Dome, and Tropical Dome, which all host endangered trees, shrubs and plants through a greenhouse. All domes had closed in February 2016 when concrete falling from the walls was deemed unsafe, causing controversy, protests and uproar among the public.
John Dargle, Jr., Director of Milwaukee County Parks, Recreation and Culture, was the first to address the crowd. He explained that the domes were previously closed due to concrete falling from the walls, which has been repaired for safety purposes.
“We have installed a wire mesh to protect you and our staff from the falling concrete. Today, we celebrate the grand re opening of the Milwaukee Domes,” he said.
Theo Lipscomb, Milwaukee County Board Chairman, spoke next, expressing the importance of the Mitchell Park Conservatory as a Milwaukee sightseeing attraction for many decades. He recalled a time in which he grew up near the Mitchell Park Neighborhood and his grandma lived across the street from the conservatory.
“I was disturbed when I learned that condition of the domes had fallen under in February. I think many of us as lifelong Milwaukeeans were concerned about that,” he began.
“The domes have a place in my experience growing up here.” Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele was also supposed to be at the ceremony but was unable to attend.
Throughout the rest of the day, attendees enjoyed a live concert by local musician David H.B. Drake while browsing the winter themed plants on display.