moody motivation

2/22/2022

Along the lowland hardwood trail at Mitchell Park in Brookfield.

A welcoming entrance to the ArtsPark at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center For The Arts.

Winter is beautiful here, but it sure does drag on some days. Too many cold gray days in a row and motivation fades. I have to push and push myself to pick a park and just go. Monday was such a day. Especially after Sunday's spring-like weather, when everyone seemed to be out for a walk in the blessed sunshine.

Then came moody Monday. Colder. Cloudy. Blah. What I wanted was some color, some art, and some of natures inspiration. It took me all morning to decide where to go. But once I got there, I was rewarded.

Mitchell Park is a 405-acre park on the outer wild edges of Brookfield, and encompasses walking trails, a sledding hill, a park pavilion, the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center For The Arts, and more.

One of five Shifting Perspective sculptures by Ray Chi on display along the path in the park.

There are some nicely paved trails spanning the length of Mitchell Park, starting along the south end, and heading north towards the Arts Center. There's a dog exercise area on the south end, which seems to be a popular spot. In fact, there were lots of dogwalkers there, pups running in the open areas, or leashed and walking the paved trails.

I found the outdoor art I was craving. There are several art displays lining the walking trails, offering inspiration in colors that offset the gray day.

From the paved path I took the lowland hardwood trail that exits at Mitchell Park Drive, crossed the road, and followed the paved trail and boardwalk back south to the Arts Center parking lot entrance. Along the way I found some color in faded milkweed and red-twigged dogwood.

The Strohmaier Sculpture Garden in front of the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center For The Arts.

The Strohmaier Sculpture Garden is no doubt stunning abloom in flowers and visiting butterflies, but it has a certain muted beauty in winter as well. And the sculptures adorning the grounds are truly unique and worthy of attention.

From a pair of metal sculpted horses, dancing cranes, the graceful 15-foot tall FLIT, inspired by a nesting sparrow, to the bronze 5-piece musicians in performance installation JOY OF MUSIC, the sculpture garden blends with the natural surroundings in perfect harmony.