By Angela Damiani Special to OnMilwaukee.com Published Nov 18, 2010 at 2:15 PM

Wednesday evening I ventured out to Whiskey Bar at 788 N. Jackson St. for the Party for the Parks event hosted by the Park People of Milwaukee County Inc., an organization that champions projects directly for the Milwaukee County Park System.

I initially heard about the event through Facebook. The invite described it as a 2011 calendar release party and fundraiser for the Park People. Never previously aware of the organization, but intrigued by idea of raising funds for the Milwaukee County Parks, I arrived punctually at the start time of 5:30 p.m.

Whiskey Bar has several distinct spaces for guests to enjoy. This party set up in the back bar area with a band on stage and several high-top tables scattered about for people to indulge in the spread of appetizers without having to ungracefully balance a drink in one hand and a plate in the other while networking with a stranger.

Having been to Whiskey Bar a few times before, once for a magazine issue release party (which is a similar concept to the calendar release), I immediately noted how very well-attended the event was so early in the evening.

Typically I find, despite how many have clicked "attending" on a Facebook invite, the standard practice is to show up at least an hour late and even then, only about a third of the amount that intended to come actually arrive. But then again, the majority of those in attendance fell within a demographic that perhaps does not regularly check (or know how to check) their Facebook event invitations.

The demographic of the attendees is specifically what I found most striking. Not that there were too many middle-aged individuals working passionately to preserve our beautiful (and by the way, gold-medal award winning) county parks, but that there were not enough young people in attendance.

I do not at all mean to lay blame on the Park People, who clearly had every detail of the event orchestrated to appeal to a younger crowd: trendy bar, drinks specials, free food, raffle prizes, live music, the featured calendar release and as I've said, a presence on Facebook to attract all those youngsters.

It seems that even with all that, Milwaukee's youth was too busy or uninterested in the cause, which left me feeling disheartened. Our County Parks are an incredible asset for our city, something we should all (young and old) take pride in and a part in not only preserving, but promoting.

Clearly, because this was the first instance I had participated in a Park People event, I am not an expert and I do intend to scream atop of a soapbox of any kind. Instead I'll admit that I feel inspired, after seeing how few of my peers seem to care about this issue, to take the cause as my own.

And hopefully in the near future I'll find the chance to inform and enthuse at least those immediately around me of the incredible efforts put forth by the Park People of Milwaukee County.

Angela Damiani Special to OnMilwaukee.com

Angela returned to Milwaukee after living on both coasts and overseas. Filled with uncertainty about the move, she quickly discovered the hidden gem that is Milwaukee. The caliber of arts, music and culture as well as the ease of accessibility to it all, make Milwaukee one of a kind.

After a year of acclimating to life in Milwaukee, she is now surprised she ever doubted the return home in the first place. Exploring the different facets of Milwaukee has been an adventure she never expected and is what you'll mostly read about in this blog.