The Highway/Parks Department provides the manpower and supplies necessary to properly maintain all City Parks. This encompasses 173 acres of land, 7 miles of bike trails, and 15 recreational facilities. The City Parks include play equipment, playfields, play structures, ball diamonds, tennis courts, volleyball courts, and park buildings. Park facility reservations are handled by the Clerk's Office.
Lions Legend Pavilion, Vernon E. Barg Pavilion, Pleasant View Park Pavilion, Market Square Gazebo, Franklin Woods Nature Center Pavilion, and Ken Windl Park Pavilion are available to rent by filling out the required respective permit application. See complete details below on each venue.
City park hours are from dawn to dusk and park pavilion rental hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. All decorating, set-up, and clean-up must be done within your rental time.
Park reservations are made in person on a first-come, first-serve basis, through the City Clerk's Office (425-7500) at Franklin City Hall, 9229 W. Loomis Road, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. No telephone, email, online, or mail-in applications are accepted. Park Permit applications are accepted for Franklin groups or residents beginning on the first business day in January of each year. Applications are accepted for all other groups beginning on the first business day in April of each year.
Franklin Parks & Trails Map: Courtesy of the Franklin Parks Commission, this map includes City parks as well as Milwaukee County parks located within the City of Franklin. Be sure to check this map out!
Lions Pavilion at Lions Legend Park - 8030 S. Legend Dr. (Behind City Hall)
(Pavilion Permit Application) Lions Pavilion at Lions Legend Park is available for rental April 15th through October 31st with the exception of June 26 through July 6th. The park permit entitles you to use of the open air pavilion, electricity, picnic tables, water, and charcoal grills where available. Playground equipment, as well as tennis, pickleball, and volleyball courts, must be shared with the general public. Lions Pavilion is available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Permit Fees are as follows:
| |
Resident |
Non-Resident |
| 1-49 People |
$250 |
$500 |
| 50-99 People |
$300 |
$600 |
| 100-149 People |
$325 |
$650 |
| 150-199 People |
$375 |
$750 |
| 200-250 People (Max) |
$425 |
$850 |
| Required Security Deposit |
$150 |
$150 |
| Use of Band Shell |
$100 |
$100 |
Pleasant View Park Pavilion - 4620 W. Evergreen Street
(Pavilion Permit Application) Pleasant View Park Pavilion is available for rental year round. The park permit entitles you to use of the indoor/outdoor pavilion (limit 50 persons), electricity, picnic tables, and water. (Pavilion does not have air conditioning or heat. It has warmers for the winter months.) Playground equipment, as well as tennis, pickleball, and volleyball courts, must be shared with the general public. Pleasant View Park Pavilion is available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Permit Fees are as follows:
| |
Resident |
Non-Resident |
Summer Rental Apr. 15-Oct. 31
(1-50 People Max) |
$275 |
$550 |
Winter Rental Nov. 1-Apr. 14
(1-50 People Max) |
$375 |
$750 |
| Security Deposit |
$200 |
$200 |
Market Square - 11230 W. Franklin Street
(Pavilion Permit Application) Market Square is available for rental April 15th through October 31st with the exception of Labor Day weekend or the first Monday of each month. The park permit entitles you to use of the gazebo (with electricity) and picnic tables. Permit holder is required to rent portable toilet for use in the park if your event will last longer than 2 hours. Market Square gazebo is available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Permit Fees are as follows:
| |
Resident |
Non-Resident |
| 1-49 People |
$225 |
$450 |
| 50-99 People |
$275 |
$550 |
| Required Security Deposit |
$150 |
$150 |
Vernon E. Barg Pavilion at Lions Legend Park - 8717 W. Drexel Avenue
(Pavilion Permit Application) The Vernon E. Barg Pavilion at Lions Legend Park is available for rental April 15th through October 31st with the exception of June 26 through July 6th. The park permit entitles you to use of the open air pavilion with enclosed serving area, electricity, picnic tables, water and charcoal grills where available. Playground equipment, as well as tennis, pickleball, and volleyball courts, must be shared with the general public. Vernon Barg Pavilion is available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Permit Fees are as follows:
| |
Resident |
Non-Resident |
| 1-49 People |
$275 |
$550 |
| 50-99 People |
$325 |
$650 |
| 100-149 People (Max.) |
$350 |
$700 |
| Security Deposit |
$150 |
$150 |
Franklin Woods Nature Center Pavilion - 3723 W. Puetz Road
Home of Kayla's Playground
(Pavilion Permit Application) Franklin Woods Nature Center Pavilion is available for rental April 15th through October 31st. The pavilion permit entitles you to use of the open air pavilion, electricity, and picnic tables within the pavilion. There are no grills available. You may bring a gas grill for food preparation; however, charcoal grills and ground fires are NOT allowed at any time. Kayla's Playground and patio area must be shared with the general public. The pavilion rental is available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and all decorating, set-up, and clean-up must be done within your rental time. Permit Fees are as follows:
| 1-49 People (Maximum) |
$250 |
| 1-49 People Non-Resident |
$500 |
| Required Security Deposit |
$150 |
Kayla's Playground Scheduled Visit - 3723 W. Puetz Road
Franklin Woods Nature Center
(Playground Scheduled Visit Application) Kayla's Playground is open to all visitors and is not reservable. Therefore, no permit is required for a group to visit the playground. In an effort not to overcrowd the playground or parking area any given day, groups wishing to use the playground are requested to schedule a date at the City of Franklin Clerk's Office. There will be no fee for a scheduled visit, but the playground, patio area, and pavilion must be shared with other park visitors. Please Note: You may request a Pavilion Permit at the City Clerk's Office for a fee. The Pavilion Permit would reserve the pavilion only for your group. The playground and patio area would still be shared with all park visitors.
Ken Windl Park - 11615 W. Rawson Avenue
(Pavilion Permit Application) Ken Windl Park is available for rental year round. The park permit entitles you to use of the indoor pavilion (limit 50 persons), range, refrigerator, electricity, picnic tables, and water. Playground equipment, gazebo, and tennis courts must be shared with the general public. Ken Windl pavilion is available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. All decorating, set-up, and clean-up must be done within your rental time. The pavilion will be closed and locked at 8 p.m., no exceptions. Permit Fees are as follows:
| |
Resident |
Non-Resident |
Summer Rental Apr. 15-Oct. 31
(1-50 People Max) |
$275 |
$550 |
Winter Rental Nov. 1-Apr. 14
(1-50 People Max) |
$375 |
$750 |
| Security Deposit |
$200 |
$200 |
Pictures of the kitchen and table/chair area of Ken Windl Park Pavilion:
8222 S. 51st Street (Inside Franklin High School)
Franklin, WI 53132
Phone: 414-423-4646
Fax: 414-423-4648
The Franklin Community Education and Recreation Department is located inside Franklin High School at 8222 South 51st Street. The mission of the Franklin Community Education and Recreation Department, in active partnership with the entire community, is to promote wellness and life-long learning by providing a broad selection of physical, learning, and leisure activities. Visit their website for more information.