Malone Park

Malone Park in New Berlin is one of the Milwaukee area's best-kept family park secrets — with a free splash pad, a stocked fishing pond, quality playground equipment, and open green space that feels genuinely spacious. At 943 Google reviews and 4.8 stars, this is among the highest-rated parks in the entire metro.

The splash pad is the summer draw. Unlike some parks where the splash pad is an afterthought (a single arch sprinkler), Malone's is a real, multi-element water play area that keeps kids genuinely engaged on hot days. It's free, which is uncommon — many splash pads in the region charge admission or require tokens.

Bring swimsuits, towels, and sunscreen, and plan to stay until the kids are waterlogged.

The fishing pond adjacent to the park is a highlight for families with older kids or fishing-curious younger ones. The water is accessible, the setting is peaceful, and for kids who've never held a fishing rod, this is the kind of low-stakes environment where they can try it without pressure. Bring simple gear — a rod, a bobber, and some worms — and you'll get 45 minutes of quality time on the bank.

The park is open until 11PM daily, which is later than almost any other park in the area. Summer evenings here — post-dinner, golden-hour light, kids running on the playground before bed — are exactly the kind of slow family memory that New Berlin families come back for every year.

Everything here is free. The splash pad, the playground, the fishing access, the paths — all of it. For a zero-cost family half-day in the western Milwaukee suburbs, Malone Park is the top recommendation.