Wauwatosa is an Eco-friendly Destination

While we want to leave an impression on the people who live here and visit, it’s also important to us that we minimize our carbon footprint on the planet. Wauwatosa has undertaken a number of eco-friendly projects and initiatives that align with these goals.

We know there are endless options to go on your next trip. But doesn’t it feel good to know that you’re traveling to a place that cares about the environment the same way you do? Discover just a few ways Wauwatosa is working on making the world a better place.

Firefly Grove Park

Welcoming you into Firefly Grove Park is Mama Rosa, a 25-foot troll sculpted by world-renowned recycle artist Thomas Dambo. All the wood and light posts came from Wauwatosa and embody Dambo’s mission to use recycled materials and turn trash into treasure.

Firefly Grove Park is not only home to Mama Rosa, but also home to many environmentally features. Designed with sustainability in mind, the park features two solar panel arrays (one that powers the park), a retaining pond, and a marshy area with native grasses and plants designed for additional water run-off. The walking paths are constructed with permeable pavement, which prevents stormwater runoff. The park even contains a living willow hut and much of the park’s landscaping was filled in by land and dirt removed during the reconstruction of the nearby freeway on/off-ramp at North Avenue.

LED Street Lights

The majority of our city’s 6,300 streetlights have been converted to LED fixtures. Not only does this help with saving money and energy, but it also helps residents and visitors see the stars and planets more clearly due to the streetlights low uplight. And bonus points – these LED components are recyclable.

Sustainable Food Practices

The Tosa Farmers Market isn’t just a good time, it also supports local vendors that are part of a sustainable food system. There are a variety of restaurants and grocery stores, like Outpost Foods, that promote green thumbs and green practices. Many restaurants are following a city ordinance to remove single-use plastic straws too. Every bit helps!

Soaking Up the Sun to Power Our City

Did you know that in one hour, enough sunlight hits the earth to power our world for one year? Wauwatosa’s City Hall (and public library) is taking full advantage of this knowledge and is one of the first governments in the state of Wisconsin to add solar panels to its roof. And it’s not the only municipal building using the sun to power the grid. The Muellner Building in Hart Park, the Wauwatosa Police Station, the Potter Road pumping station, and Firefly Grove Park all have solar panels to help power our city. It’s part of an initiative to double our current renewable energy generation.

Wauwatosa Transit

There are plenty of ways to get from point A to point B in Wauwatosa. With Bulbr bikes and Lime Scooters (depending on the season), bike lanes, and sidewalks, you can bike, scooter, or walk to many destinations. A lot of points of interest are found near one another allowing you to easily get to multiple places in one trip. And the Milwaukee County Transit System’s bus lines go through various areas of Wauwatosa and even feature an energy-efficient bus rapid transit line near the hospital. 

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

If you’re traveling to Wauwatosa with your electric vehicle (or renting one for the trip!), the following EV charging stations in Wauwatosa are ready for you:

• 10411 W Watertown Plank Road at Springhill Suites – Milwaukee/Wauwatosa
• 7000 State Street at Outpost Foods (ChargePoint)
• 11530 W Burleigh Street (AmpUp Charging Station)
• 11800 W Capitol Drive (ChargePoint)
• 1301 Discovery Parkway (Noodoe EV Charging Station)
• 1901 N Mayfair Road (ChargePoint)
• The 2100 Apartments (Blink Charging Station)
• 11001 W Plank Court (Blink Charging Station)

Header image courtesy of @anibnannee.