Why Madison's Central Park Became Milt McPike Park

November 30, 2017 

When you walk through Madison's many public parks, you'll notice something striking: only one park—Orlando Bell Park on the far east side—honors a person of color. Madison Parks Foundation is working to change that. 

Central Park, tucked into Madison's near-east side, is beautiful. The 6-acre green space hosts a skate park, draws crowds to its farmer's market, and comes alive with summer music events. But as Stephanie Franklin, executive director of the Madison Parks Foundation, puts it: the park is a "missed opportunity." "It's a beautiful park," Franklin says. "But we wondered why the name couldn't have more of a connection to the neighborhood that it's in." 

The foundation's board agrees. "Representation is really important when it comes to naming public spaces," explains MPF board member Bob Hemauer. "We're always looking to make sure that our public spaces represent people who have had an impact on our community." 

Enter Milt McPike 

Earlier this year, the foundation began brainstorming alternative names for Central Park, focusing on prominent Madisonians of color who made a lasting impact. One name rose to the top almost immediately: Milton McPike. If you attended Madison East High School anytime between the late 1970s and 2002, you know exactly who Milt McPike is. As principal of East High for over two decades, McPike didn't just run a school—he transformed lives. His dedication earned him recognition as one of Reader's Digest's 10 "American Heroes in Education" and Wisconsin's Principal of the Year in 1997. 

McPike passed away in 2008, but his legacy lives on in the thousands of students whose lives he touched. 

Craig Karlen, who graduated from East High in 1995, now teaches high school chemistry in St. Paul, Minnesota. He helps run a scholarship program in McPike's name, which brings him back to East High at least once a year. Even today, more than a decade after McPike's passing, students know his name. 

"My mom said, 'Milt McPike is my principal forever,'" one student recently told Karlen during a visit. 

Stories like these are what fuel the foundation's mission. "To see how [Milt McPike has] touched people, even a decade later, is really inspiring," Hemauer says. For Franklin, the connection is crystal clear: "Renaming Central Park for McPike is a natural conclusion. Milt McPike dedicated his life to the education of thousands of (Madison) students." 

A Family's Blessing 

Milt McPike Jr. wholeheartedly supports the change. "My dad's life was about kids," he shared in a recent phone interview. "A park is where you bring your kids, where you come for peace. It's a great way to honor him and his legacy. He'd be very humbled and very pleased." 

A Community United 

The foundation seems optimistic about the outcome. "The most amazing thing about this process is how supportive everyone has been," a board member stated. "That excitement is indicative of Milt's impact."  And really, isn't that what a park should be? A gathering place that reflects the community it serves, honoring those who dedicated their lives to making that community stronger. 

Update: A Dream Realized 

The community's support paid off. The McPike Park dedication ceremony took place in April 2018 to officially rename Madison's Central Park to McPike Park in honor of Milton McPike. McPike was the principal of East High School from 1979 to 2002, and the dedication celebrated his legacy as a beloved and influential educator in the community. 

The park now stands as a lasting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to Madison's children—a fitting memorial in a space where families gather, children play, and community thrives. 

McPike Park is located on Madison's near-east side and continues to host community events, farmer's markets, and serves as a gathering place for neighbors—just as Milt McPike would have wanted.