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Jackson Park
Sunday, August 2, 2026
New in 2026
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Show day weather:
(Will be added the morning of August 2) |
Navigation (This page, not your car. We'll get to that...)
Using this page
You’ve Planned Your Visit. Now Let’s Get You Here.
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This page is designed to work as your Shakespeare in the Park guide to Jackson Park.
Use it on show day for things like....
We recommend bookmarking this page before heading to the park |
Companions = This Page + The Main SitP 2026 Page Work Together
The main SitP 2026 page contains a great deal of detailed information and is where you'll do your planning. This page focuses specifically on this location and might reference the more detailed info on the main page. |
Please register
We highly recommend that you register to receive the fastest updates. The person who typically maintains this website is at the park and wifi can be spotty. The person who sends updates to people who register is sitting at a desk with an excellent internet connection. You decide. No pressure. ----- Details are on the Main SitP page - Navigate to "Gather Your Party" ------ |
Getting to Jackson Park
Arrival Lead Time
This is the first time Shakespeare in the Park has performed at Jackson Park, so we have no historical observations about how quickly seating may fill. Parking is somewhat less convenient than at some of our other locations, so we recommend allowing a little extra time to arrive and get settled.
At most Shakespeare in the Park locations, guests arrive 15–30 minutes before performances to find seating, enjoy a picnic, and take part in pre-show activities. Happily, there are a few amusements to enjoy before and after show times. See the entertainment schedule below for details.
This is the first time Shakespeare in the Park has performed at Jackson Park, so we have no historical observations about how quickly seating may fill. Parking is somewhat less convenient than at some of our other locations, so we recommend allowing a little extra time to arrive and get settled.
At most Shakespeare in the Park locations, guests arrive 15–30 minutes before performances to find seating, enjoy a picnic, and take part in pre-show activities. Happily, there are a few amusements to enjoy before and after show times. See the entertainment schedule below for details.
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Driving Directions
Jackson Park 3500 W Forest Home Avenue (recommended) Milwaukee, WI 53215 For GPS navigation, we recommend using the street address above. The address will take you to the park pool (currently closed) on W Kinnickinnic River Parkway, the road that runs through the center of the park. Alternate: Search for “Jackson Park” with no street address and Google Maps may direct you to the intersection of W Forest Home Avenue and S 43rd Street on the southwest side of the park.
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Performance location within the park
Performances are on a gentle hillside south of the pond and north of the restroom building. The pin on the map is approximate but there will be plenty of signage along the sidewalks closest to the performance space. Map Link
This map shows you performance locations, restrooms, where to park, helpful hints and more. Shakespeare in the Park at Park Jackson Google map The full Shakespeare in the Park 2026 map |
Getting around at Jackson Park
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Drop-off
Both for general use and ♿ mobility access, the best drop-off is at the sidewalk access point at W Montana Street and S 43rd Street. S 43rd is fairly busy so we recommend using flashers when pausing for drop-off. Parking Park anywhere along Kinnickinnic River Parkway, as close to the pool (closed) as possible. Alternate Parking: Along S 43rd Street. Follow Google Map for walking directions. Note: No parking along S Forest Home Ave. |
Walking
From Kinnickinnic River Pkwy, either walk along the sidewalk nearest the pond that skirts around it. Follow SitP signage and look for the event on your right. You may also walk along the sidewalk to the west of the pond toward the restrooms. Follow SitP signage. The event will be on your left. Pathways ♿ Sidewalks are paved and flat. The performance space is not directly accessible via sidewalk. Will need to traverse grass on a gentle hillside. |
Enjoy the Park
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Sun and Shade*
We haven't performed at Jackson Park yet; however the performance area at looks like it will be a combination of sun and lots of dappled shade. Did you bring a chair* Just a reminder even though it's probably too late since you're already here. Check-In / Info Tent* At Jackson Park, it's located uphill of the event, closer to the sidewalk east of the restrooms.
Seating Surface Audience seating is on grass and is on a gentle incline Restrooms ♿ An accessible, portable restroom is available and should be located slightly south of the event. This is a unit rented by Optimist Theatre and in use only for Shakespeare in the Park. ♿ Park restrooms are also available in the building to the west of the performance space.
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Picnic Tables.
There are picnic tables near the performance space at Jackson Park If you bring your own folding table, please set up outside of the audience seating area.
Concessions Light snacks will be available for a suggested donation starting at 1:00 PM Pets*
Well-behaved pets and service animals are welcome at Jackson Park As a matter of fact, dogs seem to enjoy Shakespeare and SitP cast and crew definitely love dogs. *----- Details are on the Main SitP page -----
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Enjoying Shakespeare in the Park
It's all led up to this
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Daily Schedule
1:00 PM ... Games and activities open Available all afternoon, including....
1:40 PM ... All About Richard III The low-down, the gossip, the history, and oh, the drama. 2:00 PM ... Richard III (Puppet Edition) Approximately 55 minutes. About 3:30 PM ... Reset the stage reconfiguration and shift to follow the shade.
4:15 PM ... All About The Merry Wives of Windsor Our version, and what we’ve gotten ourselves into. 4:30 PM ... Early Music Now Approximately 25 minutes. 5:00 PM ... The Merry Wives of Windsor: Falstaff’s Tale With live musical accompaniment by Early Music Now. Approximately 40 minutes. |
Sun, Stages, Shade, Shift*
The Seating and Stage Configurations and the Stage Location Will Change Between Shows Sun... The audience seating area at Jackson Park is probably a combination of sun and shade. In years past, when we've attempted to find a happy medium - seeking shade for both the 2:00 and 5:00 performances, it's been less than successful. Stages... Richard III at 2:00 uses an intimate thrust-style stage where the audience sits on 3 sides of the action. After the show, the stage crew will reconfigure the stage by turning the thrust into more traditional proscenium set-up. Shade... Because we have to reconfigure the stage and seating area after the 2:00 show, we're going to shift to follow the shade. At Jackson Park, that might mean it will end up behind you. Let's find out together. Shift... Just relax while we make the shift. Please re-join the fun after we're done. 
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Program & Show Info
- Explore the digital program and show details anytime:
Fun-Facts About Jackson Park
- Milwaukee's First Outdoor Pool: In 1932, Jackson Park made local history by opening the City of Milwaukee’s very first outdoor public pool. Currently closed; however there's always hope.
- Home to "The Pewter Lady": The park features a striking 1881 zinc sculpture officially named Spirit of Commerce, locally dubbed "The Pewter Lady." It originally stood atop downtown Milwaukee's Mackie Building until it was gifted to the park in 1909.
- Originally "Reynolds Grove": Before the city purchased the initial 80-acre parcel in 1907, the heavily wooded area was known as Reynolds Grove. It wasn't officially renamed after the 7th U.S. President, Andrew Jackson, until 1910.
- A W.P.A. Lagoon: The scenic lagoon at the center of the park was excavated by hand in the 1930s by laborers from the Works Progress Administration (WPA).
- Oak Leaf Trail Hub: The park acts as an active hub for the community and is a designated stop along the 135-mile paved Oak Leaf Trail network.
Join Us Again
Did you have a good time? Only a few show days left to come again and bring new friends. Jackson Park is the eightthe stop on our 2026 tour with only two more chances to join us in the Milwaukee area and one more chance farther afield in Hartford, WI. The grid near the top of the main SitP 2026 page shows the whole season.
Thank you for coming to Milwaukee's free Shakespeare in the Park, an annual summer tradition since 2010.
Did you have a good time? Only a few show days left to come again and bring new friends. Jackson Park is the eightthe stop on our 2026 tour with only two more chances to join us in the Milwaukee area and one more chance farther afield in Hartford, WI. The grid near the top of the main SitP 2026 page shows the whole season.
Thank you for coming to Milwaukee's free Shakespeare in the Park, an annual summer tradition since 2010.