We use cookies to ensure our site functions properly and to store limited information about your usage. You may give or withdraw consent at any time. To find out more, read our privacy policy and cookie policy.
Manage Cookies
A cookie is information stored on your computer by a website you visit. Cookies often store your settings for a website, such as your preferred language or location. This allows the site to present you with information customized to fit your needs. As per the GDPR law, companies need to get your explicit approval to collect your data. Some of these cookies are ‘strictly necessary’ to provide the basic functions of the website and can not be turned off, while others if present, have the option of being turned off. Learn more about our Privacy and Cookie policies. These can be managed also from our cookie policy page.
Strictly necessary cookies(always on):
Necessary for enabling core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies. This cannot be turned off. e.g. Sign in, Language
Analytics cookies:
Analytical cookies help us to analyse user behaviour, mainly to see if the users are able to find and act on things that they are looking for. They allow us to recognise and count the number of visitors and to see how visitors move around our website when they are using it. Tools used: Google Analytics
Share Oak Leaf Trail Extension - Bender Park on FacebookShare Oak Leaf Trail Extension - Bender Park on TwitterShare Oak Leaf Trail Extension - Bender Park on LinkedinEmail Oak Leaf Trail Extension - Bender Park link
Oak Leaf Trail in Bender Park
Milwaukee County Parks is working on an exciting project that involves the addition of over 1 mile of 10-foot-wide paved trail in Bender Park. The trail will extend the South Shore Line of the Oak Leaf Trail, connecting Bender Roadway to Oakwood Road. Trail users will weave through prairies and woodlands and enjoy sweeping views of Lake Michigan. Importantly, this project will close a key gap in the regional trail network, creating a 20-mile continuous bike facility between and through Milwaukee and Racine counties!
Funding for this project was awarded in 2020 thanks to a $1,306,400 federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant in conjunction with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. In 2023, the project secured Milwaukee County match funding.
The project has been awarded, and construction activities have started in February 2026. Construction of this Oak Leaf Trail project is anticipated through Fall 2026
For details regarding the project background, refer to the linked Rails-to-Trails Conservancy article below.
Oak Leaf Trail in Bender Park
Milwaukee County Parks is working on an exciting project that involves the addition of over 1 mile of 10-foot-wide paved trail in Bender Park. The trail will extend the South Shore Line of the Oak Leaf Trail, connecting Bender Roadway to Oakwood Road. Trail users will weave through prairies and woodlands and enjoy sweeping views of Lake Michigan. Importantly, this project will close a key gap in the regional trail network, creating a 20-mile continuous bike facility between and through Milwaukee and Racine counties!
Funding for this project was awarded in 2020 thanks to a $1,306,400 federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant in conjunction with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. In 2023, the project secured Milwaukee County match funding.
The project has been awarded, and construction activities have started in February 2026. Construction of this Oak Leaf Trail project is anticipated through Fall 2026
For details regarding the project background, refer to the linked Rails-to-Trails Conservancy article below.
Share Milwaukee County plans to extend Oak Leaf Trail through Bender Park on FacebookShare Milwaukee County plans to extend Oak Leaf Trail through Bender Park on TwitterShare Milwaukee County plans to extend Oak Leaf Trail through Bender Park on LinkedinEmail Milwaukee County plans to extend Oak Leaf Trail through Bender Park link
Share Federal Grants Provide Momentum for Southeast Wisconsin's 700-mile Trail Network on FacebookShare Federal Grants Provide Momentum for Southeast Wisconsin's 700-mile Trail Network on TwitterShare Federal Grants Provide Momentum for Southeast Wisconsin's 700-mile Trail Network on LinkedinEmail Federal Grants Provide Momentum for Southeast Wisconsin's 700-mile Trail Network link
Oak Leaf Trail Extension - Bender Park has finished this stage
South Shore Oak Leaf Trail Extension - through Bender Park is currently at this stage. The following work may take place during the planning stage - site surveys, feasibility studies and further development of project goals, outcomes and budgets. Additionally, this may include the Department of Transportation (DOT), as appropriate.
Design
Oak Leaf Trail Extension - Bender Park has finished this stage
The design stage can involve several phases, including concepts, final design and engineering design plans. Once design is complete we develop technical renderings and construction plan documents.
Construction Ready
Oak Leaf Trail Extension - Bender Park has finished this stage
This is an upcoming stage for the project. During this stage requests for bids are issued and contractors are selected. Sometimes projects may wait in this stage until construction funding is secured.
Construction
Oak Leaf Trail Extension - Bender Park is currently at this stage
This is an upcoming stage for the project. Construction is underway and will follow the construction plan - which may include several phases. During this stage facility and road closures may be needed.
Close Out
this is an upcoming stage for Oak Leaf Trail Extension - Bender Park
This is an upcoming stage for the project. Construction has ended and final reviews are underway
In Use
this is an upcoming stage for Oak Leaf Trail Extension - Bender Park
This is an upcoming stage for the project. The project is open to the public for use.
Project Details
Grant:
$1,600,000 through the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Program with Wisconsin's Department of Transportation program
