Esperanza Gutierrez
She believes that setting an example is the first step towards collective climate action, she is an unapologetic climate activist. She recognizes the importance of keeping our water clean, as clean water is a vital element for a healthy environment - and a healthy community. Gutierrez has been an active community member for over ten years! Learn her story and take on her example.
Travis Hope
Travis Hope created funky benches inspired by his own children’s designs to be placed in Pulaski Park in a community effort to renovate it. He found his appreciation for the river by getting involved in a river clean-up. After participating in several other community activities he became an active member of the KK River Neighbors in Action.
Linda Hope
Linda has been a resident since she was ten years old, she has fond memories of the river as part of her childhood.
Marisela Martin
Empowerment and diversity are a vital part of a community that works together. Learning to embrace and accept our differences can help connect the water stories of all residents of Milwaukee.
Listen to more neighbor voices…
Neighbors voted for the letter Ñ to represent the community on the WaterMark by the KK River at Pulaski Park. (Click to listen to Esperanza Gutierrez explain the reasoning in a 1:36 audio recording)
Ursula A. Borowiak: Recalls with Linda Hope what it was like to venture down by the KK River as a kid, as well as tales of severe flooding after the concrete channel. (Click to listen to a 1:40 edited audio recording.)
District 12 Alderman José Pérez: Asks about the nature of community and challenges neighbors to take on responsibility as the river area is redeveloped. (Click to listen to a 1:26 edited audio recording.)
LeRoy Hope: Shares other letters and themes considered to represent the positive transformations underway in the KK River neighborhood. (Click to listen to an 1:19 edited audio recording.)
Click each image above to listen to short audio recordings from the special WaterMarks meeting of the KK River Neighbors in Action on April 13, 2019.