From the vision of Croatian emigrants to the strategic project of the Republic of Croatia, the Croatian Park in Milwaukee remains a place that connects generations, nurtures traditions and strengthens ties between the homeland and the Croatian diaspora.
Accompanied by the Consul General of the Republic of Croatia in Chicago, Sanja Laković, CHF Director Zdeslav Milas visited the Croatian Park in Franklin, near Milwaukee, where Tomislav Kuzmanović, President of the Milwaukee Croatians organization that manages the entire park, warmly welcomed them.
The Croatian Park is not only a gathering place, but it is a symbol of perseverance, unity and love of Croatian emigrants towards their roots. Back in 1956, Croatian emigrants established it with one desire – to have a space in which to preserve Croatian identity, nurture customs and pass on love for the homeland to new generations.
Today, the park covers more than 30 hectares and is the pride of the Croatian community in southeastern Wisconsin, as well as a regular meeting place for Croats and many friends of Croatian culture.
A special place in its story is the Croatian Eagles soccer club, founded by Croatian emigrants in Milwaukee in 1922. Today, it is the oldest active Croatian soccer club in North America and one of the oldest soccer clubs on the continent still operating. Founded as a gathering place for Croatian immigrants, the club has become one of the strongest symbols of Wisconsin’s Croatian community for over a century. Over the decades, the Croatian Eagles have achieved numerous sports successes, developed one of the most respected youth soccer programs in the region and remained a place where sports, Croatian tradition and community have been intertwined for over a century.
The visit was an opportunity to discuss the rich history of the Croatian community in this area, but also to confirm how important such places are in preserving national identity outside the homeland. The Croatian Park remains a permanent monument to the vision of Croatian emigrants who, through their work, unity and love for Croatia, have created a space that has been connecting people, preserving tradition and building bridges between the homeland and the Croatian diaspora for seven decades.
The Government of the Republic of Croatia has recognized the exceptional role that Croatian Park has played for almost seven decades in preserving Croatian identity among Croats in Milwaukee, as well as the broader Croatian community, including Chicago and the American Midwest. Therefore, at the end of 2025, the project of building a new multi-purpose pavilion within the Croatian Park was declared a project of strategic importance for Croats abroad. This is one of four strategic projects for which the Republic of Croatia has provided financial support, confirming the Croatian Park’s importance as a key center for gathering and preserving Croatian identity in the United States.
Text and photo: CHF
