Kletzsch Park Wildlife Enhancements Project (AOC)
This is a Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern Project (AOC). Please visit the Parks and the AOC and the Waterway Restoration Partnership (WRP) for more information on this amazing, multi-partner effort to cleanup waterways and restore habitat across the County.
Updates
June 2026: Our consultant, LANDCO2, continues site assessments and field surveys, gathering and compiling the data to help develop a series of recommendations. Opportunities for Community Input coming soon!
Project Background and Overview:
Now that the Kletzsch Dam Fish Passage construction is completed, it is time for the west side of the river to get some TLC! Kletzsch Park is a very popular recreational spot, providing sports fields, hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and the much-loved view of the waterfall at the Kletzsch Park Dam. It also contains important forest, shrubland, and wetland habitat for wildlife in the AOC. However, the natural areas within the park have been in decline for many years and need targeted restoration to help support wildlife populations. To achieve that goal, the Kletzsch Park Wildlife Enhancements will be making improvements for "focal species" most in need on site - forest and wetland breeding birds and turtles. The design will also ensure that work benefits overall native wildlife use on site and is carefully planned to minimize impacts.
When and Where is Working Happening?
The Kletzsch Park Wildlife Enhancements project will take place on the natural areas within Kletzsch Park, as well as a small segment to the north of the park known as Milwaukee River Parkway Section 1. The recreational activities currently present at Kletzsch such as picnic areas, soccer and baseball fields, trails etc. will remain as recreational areas and are excluded from restoration work.
Project Timeline:
The project timeline is subject to change.
2025 - 2026: Phase 1 Planning: Habitat and Baseline assessments
2025 - 2026: Phase 1 Planning: Develop an Ecological Restoration and Management Plan (ERMP)
2026 - 2027: Phase 2 Design: Develop Habitat Restoration Plan (HRP) sets
2028 - TBD: Phase 3 Restoration: On the ground restoration work
What to Expect:
The first two phases (planning and design) of the project should cause minimal disruption. Expect to see County staff and consultants in the field, as well as monitoring tools and equipment required for field surveys. However, Phase 3 (restoration) of the project will likely cause disruption as restoration efforts begin on the ground. You may notice…
Temporary trail and recreational amenity closures,
Use of landscape equipment (i.e. chainsaws, forestry mowers, skid steers, UTVs) and presence of contractor vehicles.
Restoration activities that include invasive species removal, prescribed burns, and installation of native trees, shrubs, and plants.
Temporary decline of visual aesthetics (how the area looks).
The exact methods will be determined on a site-by-site basis, taking into consideration current conditions, the levels of management needed, sensitive species on site and what activities will most benefit wildlife. Keep watching this page for project and plan updates to learn more!
Restoration work is a process. There may be times that the Park is unsightly, and trails may be closed. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation!
Project Benefits:
Not only will this project help to enhance native biodiversity and outdoor recreation for the community, but it is also a necessary action to help delist the Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern. “Delisting” involves implementing projects that will address issues which have prevented humans, fish, and wildlife from being able to fully and safely use our natural resources. Some of the benefits to come out of the Kletzsch Park project are:
Enhance recreation opportunities for the community
Increase wildlife populations
Improve quality of habitat types for wildlife
Ephemeral pond enhancements
Address climate change impacts
How Can I Get Involved and Where Can I Learn More?
The best way to get involved is by signing up for project updates on this page! You can also sign up for the WRP newsletter to stay up to date on all things AOC. Your input is valuable to the success of the project, we encourage you to comment and engage online and at events.
There will be opportunities along the way for you to get involved, such as,
Join the Kletzsch Park Friend's Group!
Volunteer workdays,
Species monitoring,
Educational hikes and events,
And more!
Are you looking for opportunities to connect with the community and help to continue to improve parkland – then a friend’s group may be for you. Consider joining the Friends of Kletzsch Park group!
Another way to get involved is by helping to keep our parks clean! Illegal dumping has been big challenge on many AOC project area. If you see something, please submit a report via the Milwaukee County Parks Issue Reporter.
Still looking for some more information? Check back on Parks’ website for updates, or you can find fact sheets, videos, presentations and project specific answers to frequently asked questions by visiting Waterway Restoration Partnership website.
Land and Water Acknowledgement
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AOC Project Manager
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Phone 414-567-8310 Email Antonio.Giron@milwaukeecountywi.gov
