Join our Email List!
Blog

Blog: The Natural Realm

Topics

 

 

Dates

 

 

Click for a list of blog posts

Panoramic view of the Milwaukee River Greenway and downtown from Locust Street.

A Guided Tour of the Milwaukee River Greenway with Sierra Club and RRF

May 13, 2024  |  Topics: Issues, Places

By Dan McKinley and Catie Petralia

Photography by Eddee Daniel

Introduction by Dan McKinley of the Sierra Club

Last year I was asked to lead and recharge the Outings Committee of the local Great Waters Group of the Sierra Club. Diminished by the effects of the pandemic, but with ambitions to grow and have a large impact in Milwaukee, the Outings Committee seeks to help make the beauty and healing presence of nature accessible to everyone. I am working to attract kindred spirits and organizations like the River Revitalization Foundation to collaborate on a variety of outings that explore the legacy of our great natural spaces. Every outing provides an opportunity to feel how the beauty and healing presence of nature enhances our quality of life.

A flowering serviceberry tree outside the RRF headquarters in Turtle Park, the start of the hike.
A flowering serviceberry tree outside the RRF headquarters in Turtle Park, the start of the hike.

This outing took place along the lower stretches of the Milwaukee River Greenway (our fourth hike along different parts of the Greenway), from Turtle Park at the southern end to Locust Street. We learned how the area upstream of the former North Avenue Dam had been spoiled by years of industrial and agricultural pollution—as well as the major restoration effort that is underway thanks to a $450 Million grant from the EPA, local leadership from the DNR and Milwaukee County, and the work of many non-profit organizations. It was an informative and inspirational hike!

The group hiking along a rugged section of the West Bank Trail in Gordon Park.
The group hiking along a rugged section of the West Bank Trail in Gordon Park.

The wonderful legacy of Milwaukee’s parks needs to be better appreciated and efforts to reclaim them from years of neglect supported. There will be additional outings in more parks this year and the public will be invited to join Sierra Club members as we explore what we inherited thanks to visionary leaders of previous generations.

Restoring the Greenway by Catie Petralia of River Revitalization Foundation (RRF)

As one of the main stewards of the Milwaukee River Greenway, RRF is proud to host hikes that share its history of degradation, preservation, and restoration! And to emphasize and promote the beautiful natural resource we have right in the middle of our city! The Milwaukee River Greenway valley—over 878 acres of green space just north of downtown Milwaukee—is home to over 61 species of local conservation interest, including mussels, invertebrates, crayfish, fish, migratory birds, and mammals. It also serves as a place for recreation for neighbors, students, nature enthusiasts, fishermen, birders and many others. We love to get the word out as much as possible since the Greenway seems to remain a hidden gem for some locals even today. 

View of the towers of downtown Milwaukee, Riverside Park (left) and Gordon Park (right) from the Locust Street bridge.
View of the towers of downtown Milwaukee, Riverside Park (left) and Gordon Park (right) from the Locust Street bridge.

For this hike we partnered with Milwaukee County Parks AOC Coordinator Natalie Dutack as well as Dan McKinley of the Sierra Club. Natalie spoke about the upcoming Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern (AOC) Cleanup projects on our waterways. The Milwaukee estuary is a designated Area of Concern because of its history of industrial pollution, which has left contaminated sediments in the floodplain soils of the river valley. The EPA and many other partners are funding an enormous project to dredge the soil and capture it all in a “dredged material management facility” (DMMF), which will store the contaminated sediment and help clean up the river valley to make it healthier. The ultimate goal is to make our waters once again swimmable and drinkable. 

Aerial view taken in 2023 showing the former North Ave Dam and the Area of Concern behind it where contaminated sediments have collected.
Aerial view taken in 2023 showing the former North Ave Dam and the Area of Concern behind it where contaminated sediments have collected.
Aerial view taken in 2023 showing close up a portion of the "flume" between North Ave and the former dam where sediments have been impounded, the riverbank buttressed to contain them.
Aerial view taken in 2023 showing close up a portion of the “flume” between North Ave and the former dam where sediments have been impounded, the riverbank buttressed to contain them.

RRF wants to connect people with nature, especially here in the city! It’s so important to appreciate our preserved lands in an area that might have been more concrete jungle. Many people fought very hard to protect the Greenway and conserve it as a natural area. One result is that the Greenway is now protected by a zoning overlay district, which limits building heights on adjacent properties and requires approval for drastic changes to the plants or lands (among other things). 

A small segment of a large patch of white violets in Gordon Park.
A small segment of a large patch of white violets in Gordon Park.
Yellow violets, a little rarer than their purple and white cousins, in Riverside Park.
Yellow violets, a little rarer than their purple and white cousins, in Riverside Park.

RRF is following the river’s path to a bright new future as well! RRF will be joining forces with Ozaukee Washington Land Trust (OWLT) to merge into a single regional, Milwaukee River watershed land trust. OWLT has a large footprint in Ozaukee and Washington counties, with over 34 public preserves and thousands of acres to steward. RRF is excited to announce this initiative. As some have said, the birds don’t see borders so neither should we! 

The group hiking the West Bank Trail in Gordon Park.
The group hiking the West Bank Trail in Gordon Park.

Both OWLT and RRF participate in the Gallery 224 ARTservancy program as land trust hosts to the artists. Which is how RRF was connected with Eddee Daniel (the author of this awesome blog if you didn’t know!), who served as an ARTservancy resident from 2019-2021, covering the Milwaukee River Greenway. Culminating in an informative book all about its history and current community. Thanks Eddee for joining the hike!! 

An angler enjoying the solitude in the Greenway at Gordon Park.
An angler enjoying the solitude in the Greenway at Gordon Park.
A prodigious patch of Virginia bluebells in Riverside Park, which was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.
A prodigious patch of Virginia bluebells in Riverside Park, which was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.
Bluebells up close and personal.
Bluebells up close and personal.
A "wild" section of the West Bank Trail in Gordon Park.
A “wild” section of the West Bank Trail in Gordon Park.
The group passing through the Milwaukee Rotary Centennial Arboretum--a reclaimed industrial site--on the East Bank Trail.
The group passing through the Milwaukee Rotary Centennial Arboretum–a reclaimed industrial site–on the East Bank Trail.
A patch of non-native lesser celandine along the East Bank Trail near North Avenue.
A patch of non-native lesser celandine along the East Bank Trail near North Avenue.
The group on the pedestrian bridge connecting Caesar's Park with Turtle Park at the former dam site.
The group on the pedestrian bridge connecting Caesar’s Park with Turtle Park at the former dam site.
The group returning to Turtle Park at the end of the hike.
The group returning to Turtle Park at the end of the hike.
Kelly Moore Brands, RRF Community Conservation Director, with the youngest hiker of the group.
Kelly Moore Brands, RRF Community Conservation Director, with the youngest hiker of the group.
Group portrait shot from the ruins of the former Gordon Park Bathhouse.
Group portrait shot from the ruins of the former Gordon Park Bathhouse.

Thank you to all the RRF volunteers, neighbors, Sierra Club members, and awesome hike leaders who came out to support and enjoy the beautiful day!

The next Sierra Club hike will be in Falk Park on May 17th from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. All are welcome! Sign up here.

Related stories:

Nature and Community: A winter walk in the Milwaukee River Greenway

Milwaukee River Greenway: A year in the wilderness

Milwaukee River Greenway: Moments of Gratitude

Hiking the Milwaukee River Greenway: Our premier urban wilderness

Photo essay: Milwaukee River Greenway in white!

Dan McKinley is the Outings Committee Chair for the Great Waters Group of the Sierra Club. Catie Petralia is Office, Communications and Volunteer Coordinator for River Revitalization Foundation. Eddee Daniel is a board member of Preserve Our Parks, former ARTservancy Artist in Residence for RRF, and author of The Milwaukee River Greenway: A Wealth of Nature in the Heart of the City. RRF and OWLT are project partners of A Wealth of Nature.

2 thoughts on "A Guided Tour of the Milwaukee River Greenway with Sierra Club and RRF"

  1. Howden Michael says:
    May 24, 2024 at 3:22 pm

    Eddee,
    Whatever happened to the Beaver Habitat Restoration project? Read About it in Beaver Land.
    Thanks for your beautiful work, Mike Howden

  2. Carolyn Wells says:
    May 25, 2024 at 9:40 pm

    As always, inspiring photos of some important parks and walkways.

Comments are closed.