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A summer-like September is keeping outdoor businesses busy

Posted at 7:22 PM, Sep 19, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-19 20:34:47-04

The lasting warm days have been creating good business for outdoor businesses and Milwaukee County Parks.

“From golf, to aquatics, to our public services at picnic pavilions and picnic shelters, and our concession areas, they've all been booming this year with a lot of people coming out to enjoy the outdoors,” said Milwaukee County Parks Director John Dargle.

Dargle said there has been steady increase in use in golf concessions and at Lincoln Park on Monday, where they saw some 100 golfers.  

Multiply that by a $30.00 standard fee for eighteen holes for one of some 15 golf course -- that equals good business.

“I don't think it's been this nice in September in years," Kevin Hege says. "And this course is in the best possible shape it's ever been.”

Milwaukee County Parks are also seeing dollars flow into Milwaukee’s Beer Gardens.

At Estabrook Park there were several people enjoying a beer along the river.

“I like to think of it as like an Irish vacation. You have a different beer in a different place,” Justin said – who just goes by Justin.

And it’s not just in parks reaping the benefits, fruit farmers are also seeing an uptick in business but most importantly the temperature the quality of their product.  

Bob Barthel said he lives and breathes the weather.

These days the weather has made his life much sweeter.

The good weather is bringing more people to pick apples but the great weather is also good for the harvest of the apples – making them very tasty as it brings out the flavors.

The apples taste better they get a little bit sweeter and it's just wonderful,” said Bob Barthel, of Barthel Fruit Farm in Mequon.

It's not just the apples that are tasting really good. The temperature has been excellent for all the different variety of pumpkins that Barthel's grows.

Barthel wants people to take advantage of this weather by eating local fruit.

“A lot of people don't have connection to the local food anymore - and by eating local it taste better.

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