Catalano Square emerged through a streetscapes project completed in 1992. The triangular park is bound by three streets: E. Menomonee Street, E. Erie Street, and N. Young Street.
The name chosen for the space comes from Mariano Catalano, an Italian immigrant who arrived in the city in 1884 and who by 1910, together with his brothers, had become one of the largest wholesale distributors on Broadway.
A social gathering space enjoyed by the Third Ward community and visitors, Catalano Square has evolved into a lovely social gathering green space.
During the summer, a free concert series, Ayre in the Square, is held on Saturday afternoons. Guests enjoy the music of local touring artists, sun, wine, and beer. The park has also become a wonderful backdrop for small, intimate weddings.
In the winter, Christmas in The Ward boasts the lighting of the Christmas Tree, Santa, and more.
Founding Friend: Dawn Bloomfield
(In Memoriam)
Dawn and her husband Craig moved from Gross Pointe, MI to the Third Ward and opened Club Charlies in 2009. They wanted to create a bar where you walk in and the bartender has your drink waiting for you. It was something they’d experienced in their Michigan hometown and they wanted to bring to Milwaukee.
Dawn created Friends of Catalano Square in 2012 with a vision of making the park an intimate social gathering space and enhancing the beauty of the park. She pioneered Ayre in the Square, a free concert series that is in place today through numerous volunteers with a passion to carry on her vision.
Dawn is cherished today and greatly missed. The Friends of Catalano Square are dedicated to making her vision become a reality.