Kinnickinnic River Parkway - Jackson Park Drive

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Construction Update : Due to unforeseen project conditions, the contractor will be working on Saturday, July 25, until approximately noon. We appreciate your patience as crews work to keep the project on schedule.

Project Update — July 2026

The contractor is set to start construction in the coming weeks. They will begin work from the west side of the project area. We advise that any plants or structures adjacent to the road curb, walkways, and driveways be removed by Friday, July 10th, if you desire to preserve them. The extents for these removals include 10 ft from the back of the road curb and 3 ft outward from any path edges, driveway edges, and the curb. Please see the graphic below for a visual example:

The yellow outlined zone represents the extents of construction disturbance. We recommend removing any plants and structures within this zone.

Project Update — June 2026

A contractor has been selected to reconstruct the County-owned section of Jackson Park Drive. Construction is expected to begin in July 2026 and be substantially complete by winter 2026, with final restoration in spring 2027. Access to homes will be maintained but limited at times.


Residents in the project area will receive a flyer containing project information. Please refer to the Documents section of this page to view the flyer.

We encourage residents to check this project page regularly for updates as work progresses. Construction updates will be posted as they become available.

For questions, please email: ParksPlanning@milwaukeecountywi.gov

Curb, Driveway Apron, and Walkway Removal

Curbs, driveway aprons, and walkways within the project area will be removed and replaced as part of this project. Before work begins, residents are encouraged to remove any landscaping, decorations, or other items they wish to preserve from areas that may be affected.

Additional information on disturbance areas and a timeline for removals will be posted on this project page as it becomes available.

Tree Protection Measures

All trees within construction limits will have tree protection installed during work. This includes the street trees along the southern curb of Jackson Park Drive.

What does tree protection entail?

Tree protection safeguards not only the visible trunk and canopy, but also the vital underground network of roots known as the critical root zone. Contractors install fencing at the edges of a tree’s dripline so that adverse impacts (such as root damage and soil compaction) are mitigated as much as possible during construction.

Example of what tree protection may look like:

Project Update — April 2026

The Jackson Park Drive reconstruction project is now out to bid! Construction is expected to begin in July 2026, following contract execution.

Additional details regarding the construction schedule will be shared as they become available. Stay tuned for updates.

Project Update — December 2025

Our Project Team has been meeting with various permitting agencies to determine the best options for addressing the eroding streambank along the parkway. After careful evaluation, the plan is to move forward with clearing and regrading an approximately 300-foot section where the slope is failing. To ensure long-term stability, the bank will be reinforced with a combination of riprap and Turf Reinforcement Mats (TRM).

This work will be included as part of the overall road reconstruction project and incorporated into the bid set.

Because of the grading work required in this area, the planned adjacent path next to the narrowed roadway will now begin at the public pathway connection to Jackson Park Drive and continue east from that point. The design will also include a marked crosswalk across Jackson Park Drive to support safe pedestrian access. For a full overview of the alignment, please review the attachment in the Documents section.

 

The next milestone is to submit plans in December 2025 for permit review and approval. Pending permit approval, the project is anticipated to go out to bid in Spring 2026.

Thank you for your continued patience as we work through these important steps to ensure a safe and resilient solution. More updates will be shared here as the project progresses.


Project Update — June 2025

Well… nature had other plans!

Our project team has been keeping a close eye on environmental conditions in the area. Over the past few months, one particular spot surprised us with some pretty rapid erosion, enough to put a pause on things. The current trail and roadway design can’t be built as-is with the streambank in this condition, so now it needs our attention.

We had originally hoped to start construction in Fall 2025, but due to the erosion, stabilizing the streambank must take precedence. The team is digging into the cause (not literally… yet!) and developing thoughtful, long-term solutions to ensure a safe, stable foundation for the project.

With these efforts underway, we’re now targeting a construction start date for the road and trail in Spring 2026 at the earliest. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we take the time to do this right—for the environment, the community, and the long-term success of the project.

Please check this project page for the latest updates.


Project Location and Background

In 2019, Milwaukee County Parks received funding to complete a re-design of Jackson Park Drive. The road is currently in poor condition with a substandard pavement rating. Jackson Park Drive, which is County-owned except for a small segment (see map below), spans just under a mile and is located in the Jackson Park neighborhood of Milwaukee, bordering the City of West Allis. Jackson Park Drive is situated just south of the KK River Parkway and connects with the City of Milwaukee Street grid.

The road is adjacent to a residential neighborhood. The first 11 homes on the western end of Jackson Park Drive are located on the City of Milwaukee segment, creating a transition between municipal jurisdictions. The segment highlighted in orange on the map below is under the jurisdiction of Milwaukee County, while the segment in blue, along with the surrounding streets, falls under the City of Milwaukee’s oversight.


Public Outreach

On November 16, 2022, and October 5, 2023, Milwaukee County Parks hosted open house meetings to share project information with the public. Meeting materials from these events can be found under the Documents section.

In the weeks leading up to the November 2022 meeting, Parks staff visited neighbors adjacent to Jackson Park Drive and dropped off meeting invitations to every home north of W Cleveland Ave up to Kinnickinnic River Parkway and from S 47th St to S 60th St. Additionally, Parks staff participated in a public meeting on this project that the local County Supervisors hosted on February 25, 2023.

Alternatives Selection

Through an analysis of four potential alternatives for Jackson Park Drive, Milwaukee County Parks initially pursued a detailed design of Alternative B, which focused on narrowing the segments of roadway with driveway access, while replacing the portion of the road without residential driveway access with a 10’ wide asphalt bicycle and pedestrian trail from S 51st Street to the 5600 block of Jackson Park Drive. Additionally, the design team pursued a detailed design of Alternative C, which includes a trail in the section between S 51st and S 53rd Streets.

At the Parks and Culture Committee meeting in March 2024, four primary alternatives for Jackson Park Drive were presented and discussed. Following this discussion, the Parks and Culture Committee, and subsequently the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors at their meeting on March 21, 2024, approved File #24-350(External link), authorizing and directing the Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture to proceed with developing construction plans for a compromise design referred to as ‘Alternative C’. This alternative includes the following:

  • Reconstructing the city road segment in-kind

  • Reducing the width of Jackson Park Drive and adding an 8-ft trail alongside it, from approximately the west County Park boundary to 53rd Street, and from 51st Street to approximately 130 feet from the east County Park boundary

  • Converting the road to a 10-ft trail between 53rd to 51st Street

  • Reconstructing the remaining portion of the road in-kind

  • Replacing all curb and gutter and other infrastructure, such as storm sewers, where necessary


The design, along with its estimated construction cost, was presented to the board and included in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Culture’s 2025 capital project request. In 2024, the capital request for the construction of this project was approved as part of the 2025 Capital Budget. Construction is projected to start in Spring 2026. Updates will be posted to this project page as they become available.


If you have any questions or comments, please email parksplanning@milwaukeecountywi.gov.

Construction Update : Due to unforeseen project conditions, the contractor will be working on Saturday, July 25, until approximately noon. We appreciate your patience as crews work to keep the project on schedule.

Project Update — July 2026

The contractor is set to start construction in the coming weeks. They will begin work from the west side of the project area. We advise that any plants or structures adjacent to the road curb, walkways, and driveways be removed by Friday, July 10th, if you desire to preserve them. The extents for these removals include 10 ft from the back of the road curb and 3 ft outward from any path edges, driveway edges, and the curb. Please see the graphic below for a visual example:

The yellow outlined zone represents the extents of construction disturbance. We recommend removing any plants and structures within this zone.

Project Update — June 2026

A contractor has been selected to reconstruct the County-owned section of Jackson Park Drive. Construction is expected to begin in July 2026 and be substantially complete by winter 2026, with final restoration in spring 2027. Access to homes will be maintained but limited at times.


Residents in the project area will receive a flyer containing project information. Please refer to the Documents section of this page to view the flyer.

We encourage residents to check this project page regularly for updates as work progresses. Construction updates will be posted as they become available.

For questions, please email: ParksPlanning@milwaukeecountywi.gov

Curb, Driveway Apron, and Walkway Removal

Curbs, driveway aprons, and walkways within the project area will be removed and replaced as part of this project. Before work begins, residents are encouraged to remove any landscaping, decorations, or other items they wish to preserve from areas that may be affected.

Additional information on disturbance areas and a timeline for removals will be posted on this project page as it becomes available.

Tree Protection Measures

All trees within construction limits will have tree protection installed during work. This includes the street trees along the southern curb of Jackson Park Drive.

What does tree protection entail?

Tree protection safeguards not only the visible trunk and canopy, but also the vital underground network of roots known as the critical root zone. Contractors install fencing at the edges of a tree’s dripline so that adverse impacts (such as root damage and soil compaction) are mitigated as much as possible during construction.

Example of what tree protection may look like:

Project Update — April 2026

The Jackson Park Drive reconstruction project is now out to bid! Construction is expected to begin in July 2026, following contract execution.

Additional details regarding the construction schedule will be shared as they become available. Stay tuned for updates.

Project Update — December 2025

Our Project Team has been meeting with various permitting agencies to determine the best options for addressing the eroding streambank along the parkway. After careful evaluation, the plan is to move forward with clearing and regrading an approximately 300-foot section where the slope is failing. To ensure long-term stability, the bank will be reinforced with a combination of riprap and Turf Reinforcement Mats (TRM).

This work will be included as part of the overall road reconstruction project and incorporated into the bid set.

Because of the grading work required in this area, the planned adjacent path next to the narrowed roadway will now begin at the public pathway connection to Jackson Park Drive and continue east from that point. The design will also include a marked crosswalk across Jackson Park Drive to support safe pedestrian access. For a full overview of the alignment, please review the attachment in the Documents section.

 

The next milestone is to submit plans in December 2025 for permit review and approval. Pending permit approval, the project is anticipated to go out to bid in Spring 2026.

Thank you for your continued patience as we work through these important steps to ensure a safe and resilient solution. More updates will be shared here as the project progresses.


Project Update — June 2025

Well… nature had other plans!

Our project team has been keeping a close eye on environmental conditions in the area. Over the past few months, one particular spot surprised us with some pretty rapid erosion, enough to put a pause on things. The current trail and roadway design can’t be built as-is with the streambank in this condition, so now it needs our attention.

We had originally hoped to start construction in Fall 2025, but due to the erosion, stabilizing the streambank must take precedence. The team is digging into the cause (not literally… yet!) and developing thoughtful, long-term solutions to ensure a safe, stable foundation for the project.

With these efforts underway, we’re now targeting a construction start date for the road and trail in Spring 2026 at the earliest. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we take the time to do this right—for the environment, the community, and the long-term success of the project.

Please check this project page for the latest updates.


Project Location and Background

In 2019, Milwaukee County Parks received funding to complete a re-design of Jackson Park Drive. The road is currently in poor condition with a substandard pavement rating. Jackson Park Drive, which is County-owned except for a small segment (see map below), spans just under a mile and is located in the Jackson Park neighborhood of Milwaukee, bordering the City of West Allis. Jackson Park Drive is situated just south of the KK River Parkway and connects with the City of Milwaukee Street grid.

The road is adjacent to a residential neighborhood. The first 11 homes on the western end of Jackson Park Drive are located on the City of Milwaukee segment, creating a transition between municipal jurisdictions. The segment highlighted in orange on the map below is under the jurisdiction of Milwaukee County, while the segment in blue, along with the surrounding streets, falls under the City of Milwaukee’s oversight.


Public Outreach

On November 16, 2022, and October 5, 2023, Milwaukee County Parks hosted open house meetings to share project information with the public. Meeting materials from these events can be found under the Documents section.

In the weeks leading up to the November 2022 meeting, Parks staff visited neighbors adjacent to Jackson Park Drive and dropped off meeting invitations to every home north of W Cleveland Ave up to Kinnickinnic River Parkway and from S 47th St to S 60th St. Additionally, Parks staff participated in a public meeting on this project that the local County Supervisors hosted on February 25, 2023.

Alternatives Selection

Through an analysis of four potential alternatives for Jackson Park Drive, Milwaukee County Parks initially pursued a detailed design of Alternative B, which focused on narrowing the segments of roadway with driveway access, while replacing the portion of the road without residential driveway access with a 10’ wide asphalt bicycle and pedestrian trail from S 51st Street to the 5600 block of Jackson Park Drive. Additionally, the design team pursued a detailed design of Alternative C, which includes a trail in the section between S 51st and S 53rd Streets.

At the Parks and Culture Committee meeting in March 2024, four primary alternatives for Jackson Park Drive were presented and discussed. Following this discussion, the Parks and Culture Committee, and subsequently the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors at their meeting on March 21, 2024, approved File #24-350(External link), authorizing and directing the Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture to proceed with developing construction plans for a compromise design referred to as ‘Alternative C’. This alternative includes the following:

  • Reconstructing the city road segment in-kind

  • Reducing the width of Jackson Park Drive and adding an 8-ft trail alongside it, from approximately the west County Park boundary to 53rd Street, and from 51st Street to approximately 130 feet from the east County Park boundary

  • Converting the road to a 10-ft trail between 53rd to 51st Street

  • Reconstructing the remaining portion of the road in-kind

  • Replacing all curb and gutter and other infrastructure, such as storm sewers, where necessary


The design, along with its estimated construction cost, was presented to the board and included in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Culture’s 2025 capital project request. In 2024, the capital request for the construction of this project was approved as part of the 2025 Capital Budget. Construction is projected to start in Spring 2026. Updates will be posted to this project page as they become available.


If you have any questions or comments, please email parksplanning@milwaukeecountywi.gov.

Page last updated: 29 Jul 2026, 11:23 AM