"A sore spot for the neighborhood" is transformed into Milwaukee's newest park!

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- It is a small park that is expected to have a big impact on a Milwaukee neighborhood.

The newest park was officially opened on Thursday, September 25th.

Ezekiel Gillespie Park is located on the city's north side -- at the corner of 14th and Wright. The park was built on land that was once empty lots and a foreclosed home.

It is all part of a private-public partnership to make productive use of some unwanted properties.

"A sore spot for the neighborhood -- a place were people didn't want to congregate and now with the help of many, many partners we have transformed this into a place where people can come, where I want people to come and be safe and to sit in their chairs and to watch their kids and grandkids play," Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said.

Besides being a great place to play, the park will also have apple and pear trees and raspberry bushes for the community.

Ezekiel Gillespie was an African-American civil rights and community leader in Milwaukee who won a landmark case securing voting rights in Wisconsin.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Ezekiel Gillespie Park.