‘L’ is for
Lindsay Heights

Milwaukee’s First Eco Neighborhood Embracing the Good

“L” is for LOVE, LINDSAY, LOYAL, LIQUID, LIFE, LIGHT. Lindsay Heights... Lindsay Heights is a Milwaukee neighborhood west of I-43 and east of 20th Street north and south of North Avenue. The nonprofit Walnut Way is headquartered at the heart of Lindsay Heights just south of 17th and North Avenue. Motivated neighbors of Lindsay Heights have united with each other and city and other entities to face health, housing, and safety challenges. Faith and wellness are themes shared by many neighbors.

As the City of Milwaukee’s first Eco Neighborhood, Lindsay Heights features an array of green infrastructure. There are fruit orchards and gardens, bioswales and cisterns, native plantings, green roofs and porous pavers among public art and cafes, small businesses and public parks.

The story of Caroline Quarlls remains alive in the neighborhood as well. The land that is now Alice’s Garden, once that of farmer Samuel Brown, was a key stop for Quarlls, recognized as the first enslaved person to pass through Wisconsin on the Underground Railroad in her 1842 journey to freedom.

Today neighbors are coming together to reclaim vacant lots for positive community activities like prayer circles and cookouts and ministering to those for whom hope may seem lost. Hope is alive, evidenced by participation in a Neighborhood Improvement District and a Health & Wellness Challenge that saw residents get out on bikes and exercise in Clarence and Cleopatra Johnson Park.

Video embedded with permission of James Groh, TMJ4, who produces the My Block series. Learn more and read James’ story here!