Milwaukee County Grounds in Wauwatosa

Activities: Birding, Cross-Country Skiing, Cycling, Hiking, Running, Snowshoeing, Wildlife Viewing

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County Grounds Park

Located in Wauwatosa at the confluence of Underwood Creek and the Menomonee River and adjacent to the Menomonee River Parkway, the over 500 acres known collectively as the County Grounds is comprised of several properties owned and managed by different agencies and having differing amounts of development and protections.

Forest Exploration Center, dedicated to forests and forestry, is newly opened in Wil-O-Way Woods. The woods is approx. 45 acres owned by WDNR and is technically a State Forest. A brand-new accessible gravel trail makes a loop through the woods. Adjacent to Wil-O-Way Underwood, a Milwaukee County facility specializing in accessible summer camp experiences.

Underwood Parkway: Home to Hansen Golf Course and a link in the Oak Leaf Trail with connections to Menomonee River Parkway on the north and the Hank Aaron State Trail and Greenfield Park to the south. Milwaukee County parkland.

Monarch Trail: An 11-acre butterfly habitat conservation zone located within the UWM Innovation Campus. Active friends organization with tours and other programming.

Detention Basins: 65-acre flood management area surrounded by a well-used, gravel multi-purpose trail. Managed by Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District.

County Grounds Park: 55 acres of open prairie on rolling hills, along with 58 acres of woodland in Sanctuary Woods. Well-used trails throughout. Outstanding views of the downtown Milwaukee skyline and surroundings. Milwaukee County parkland. Sanctuary Woods includes remnant ruins of the former Milwaukee County Asylum; diverse habitats make the park particularly good for birds and other wildlife. Friends of County Grounds Park is very active with year-round programming.

Story links: Sanctuary Woods…gets national attention.

Monarch migration underway on the Milwaukee County Grounds in Wauwatosa

Welcome All to the Forest (Forest Exploration Center)

Monarch Trail: Magic of the monarchs.

An interactive map reveals the secrets of Sanctuary Woods.

A Magical Mystery Tour of the Milwaukee County Grounds

Sanctuary Woods: Restoring an old growth forest with “historical roots”

An historic tour of Sanctuary Woods

Buckthorn Brigade tackles Sanctuary Woods