# Urban Ecology Center - Riverside Park: Winter Gear Lending & Nature Room > Place to go for families in the Milwaukee–Waukesha area (WI). Times are Central Time. - When: Open on its own schedule - Where: Urban Ecology Center - Riverside Park, 1500 E Park Pl, Milwaukee, WI 53211 - Ages: All ages; free equipment loans for member families; indoor children's exploration room - Price: Free general admission to center and trails; annual family membership ($60/year) includes unlimited free snowshoe, sled, and ski loans - Organizer: Urban Ecology Center - Official page: https://urbanecologycenter.org/ - Last checked: Thu, Nov 5 Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/activities/urban-ecology-center-riverside-park-winter-gear-lending-and-nature-roo--listing-fc8565e3fe7ec0975bbc06bb ## About Nestled in a wooded bend of the Milwaukee River on the East Side, the Urban Ecology Center at Riverside Park is a community environmental paradise. In winter, this innovative green facility acts as an outdoor equipment hub, offering sleds, snowshoes, and cross-country skis for families to borrow. Kids can zoom down snowy park hills or hike through oak savannas along the riverbank. Inside the multi-story educational center, children can climb an indoor rock wall, slide down a secret spiral slide between floors, and visit the live native animal room to observe Wisconsin turtles, bullfrogs, and river fish. Rotating weekend family programs explore winter animal tracking and fire building. Family Experience & Accessibility: • Stroller Accessibility: Elevator serves all floors of the center; paved pathways connect to the park entrance and outdoor children's play garden. • Nursing & Rest Spots: Cozy indoor seating alcoves, comfortable couches overlooking the woods, and gender-inclusive family restrooms with changing stations. • Age Suitability: Welcomes infants through teens; hands-on discovery drawers and touch tanks designed specifically for young children. • Sensory Tips: Calm nature sounds and warm natural wood interiors; indoor play areas can have cheerful chatter during weekend family events. ## Similar picks in Milwaukee - [Urban Ecology Center Washington Park - Freshwater Ecology & Autumn Lagoon Walks](https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/activities/urban-ecology-center-washington-park-freshwater-ecology-and-autumn-lag--listing-47905d489fac794f295e97b5) — Open on its own schedule · Urban Ecology Center - Washington Park · All ages · Free · checked Nov 5. 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