Valley Park Civic Association (Piggsville)

Valley Park Civic Association (Piggsville)

NEIGHBORHOOD POSITIVES

The Valley Park (Piggsville) neighborhood possesses a fortunate combination of assets rarely found in surrounding communities.

* Oldest immigrant neighborhood in the City of Milwaukee

* A high Quality of Life standard

* Resident Commitment to the Neighborhood

* Location - somewhat water and landlocked, the neighborhood retains it's small town feeling

* Within 5 minutes of major highways

* The housing stock in the neighborhood is affordable, well constructed, and diverse in it's architecture

* Families have three generations living in neighborhood

* Residents who are accomplished in many different professions

* A committed Mayor and City council

* A Neighborhood Association that sponsors neighborhood based initiatives that provide a vehicle through which neighbors can come together to empower themselves on different issues.

ABOUT OUR ASSOCIATION

"Life is what you make it,
And you make it what you will.
If you're happy in this valley,
Don't try to climb the hill."
-Ambrose Sery

The Valley Park Neighborhood is a valley settlement, the only one in the city. It is the smallest distinguishable neighborhood in Milwaukee.

People not familiar with the neighborhood, including most Milwaukeeans, usually chuckle when they hear the neighborhood referred to as Piggsville. The name has a long history and there are many arguements as to how it came to be. But residents are content to sit back and openly enjoy the distinction this unusual name brings to their neighborhood.

The Valley Park Civic Association is an organization of neighbors who care about the valley community. The first Valley Association was formed in 1925 when residents organized and stormed City Hall with the intention of being annexed by the City of Milwaukee. Piggsville was finally heard and annexation became official on October 8th 1925.

The Civic Association has remained an important force. In 1948, the association lobbyed for a county park in the neighborhood. The land for the park was donated by residents of the Valley. The park was intended as a memorial to the neighborhood's war dead. A memorial at the corner of 42nd and St Paul Avenue honors these individuals.

In 1997 the Valley Park Neighborhood was ravaged by horrendous flooding. Through the tenacity of the Civic Association and neighborhood residents, a $70 million flood control project was developed to preserve and protect the area from future flooding.

The current incarnation of the Valley Association was formed and incorporated in 1990 and will celebrate it's 20th Anniversary in 2010. The Association and Valley residents have been active participants in many positive initiatives.  

The Valley Park/Piggsville Neighborhood is an honest, straightforward community. It's not too complicated, but it has a rich tradition and strong sense of identity. Its river, its railroad, its houses, and above all, its people make it one of a kind in Milwaukee.