Kohl Park Wildlife Enhancements Project (AOC)

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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: The beginning stages of the first phase (planning) have begun! Parks Natural Areas staff is performing surveys at Kohl! These surveys will continue until spring 2025.

A grant agreement was awarded to Parks from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in December 2023.

looking at a pond in early spring at Kohl Park Pond at Kohl Park

Project Background and Overview:

Exciting things are coming to Kohl Park! This park provides critical habitat for many native reptiles and birds in the Milwaukee Estuary AOC. The land that Kohl Park resides on was once dominated by sugar maple, basswood, red and white oak before it was converted into agricultural fields. Today this park contains the best of both worlds, almost 50 acres of agricultural fields leased to UW-Extension's community gardens, and hardwood forests with recreational trails.

Kohl Park was chosen as an AOC project due to its proximity to other large plots of protected and restored land. Once the work is completed at Kohl Park, it will connect those surrounding tracts of land, creating a 1,143-acre habitat corridor! Habitat corridors are areas of native vegetation connecting wildlife populations that were previously separated by human activities and structures. Corridors help wildlife thrive by providing food and shelter and allowing them to move throughout the landscape with lower risk.

Goals for Kohl Park Wildlife Enhancements include, but are not limited to:

  • Invasive Species removal

  • Erosion stabilization

  • Grassland and Oak Savanna restoration

  • Plantings of native and climate resilient species

  • Long-Term Maintenance Plan


When and Where is Work Happening?

Kohl Park is a 266-acre park located on the far northern edge of Milwaukee County, just south of Mequon Nature Preserve. Kohl Park contains forest, shrubland and grassland habitat for important species within the AOC, providing a sanctuary from urban and industrial landscapes. Work will take place at Kohl Park, excluding around 50 acres of leased agricultural fields.

Project Timeline:

The project timeline is subject to change.

2024 – 2025: Phase 1 Planning: Habitat and Baseline assessments.

2024 – 2025: Phase 1 Planning: Develop an Ecological Restoration and Management Plan (ERMP).

2026: Phase 2 Design: Develop Habitat Restoration Plan (HRP) sets.

2027 - TBD: Phase 3 Restoration: On the ground restoration work begins, implementing plans approved in the design phase.

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,

  • Heavy machinery and landscape equipment,

  • Herbicide and forestry tools,

  • Invasive species removal,

  • Tree removal,

  • Revegetation activities,

  • Loud noises,

  • Prescribed burns,

  • Temporary decline of visual aesthetics.

For everyone's safety, please stay on designated trails, do not approach field crews, and be mindful of any signs and notices. We know that this work is exciting and some of those machines are pretty cool, but crews are wearing protective gear for a reason -- use of chainsaws, forestry mowers, herbicide and other restoration tools require total focus. More details at AOC FAQ (coming soon!).

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:

  • Enhance recreation opportunities for the community

  • Increase fish and wildlife populations

  • Improve quality of habitat types

  • Expand native grassland and oak savanna habitat in the AOC

  • Address climate change impacts

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.

How can I get involved?

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,

  • Volunteer workdays,

  • Species monitoring,

  • Educational hikes and events,

  • And more!

Kohl Park is looking for friends! 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. Visit ParkPeopleMKE to start a friend’s group for Kohl Park today!

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

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: The beginning stages of the first phase (planning) have begun! Parks Natural Areas staff is performing surveys at Kohl! These surveys will continue until spring 2025.

A grant agreement was awarded to Parks from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in December 2023.

looking at a pond in early spring at Kohl Park Pond at Kohl Park

Project Background and Overview:

Exciting things are coming to Kohl Park! This park provides critical habitat for many native reptiles and birds in the Milwaukee Estuary AOC. The land that Kohl Park resides on was once dominated by sugar maple, basswood, red and white oak before it was converted into agricultural fields. Today this park contains the best of both worlds, almost 50 acres of agricultural fields leased to UW-Extension's community gardens, and hardwood forests with recreational trails.

Kohl Park was chosen as an AOC project due to its proximity to other large plots of protected and restored land. Once the work is completed at Kohl Park, it will connect those surrounding tracts of land, creating a 1,143-acre habitat corridor! Habitat corridors are areas of native vegetation connecting wildlife populations that were previously separated by human activities and structures. Corridors help wildlife thrive by providing food and shelter and allowing them to move throughout the landscape with lower risk.

Goals for Kohl Park Wildlife Enhancements include, but are not limited to:

  • Invasive Species removal

  • Erosion stabilization

  • Grassland and Oak Savanna restoration

  • Plantings of native and climate resilient species

  • Long-Term Maintenance Plan


When and Where is Work Happening?

Kohl Park is a 266-acre park located on the far northern edge of Milwaukee County, just south of Mequon Nature Preserve. Kohl Park contains forest, shrubland and grassland habitat for important species within the AOC, providing a sanctuary from urban and industrial landscapes. Work will take place at Kohl Park, excluding around 50 acres of leased agricultural fields.

Project Timeline:

The project timeline is subject to change.

2024 – 2025: Phase 1 Planning: Habitat and Baseline assessments.

2024 – 2025: Phase 1 Planning: Develop an Ecological Restoration and Management Plan (ERMP).

2026: Phase 2 Design: Develop Habitat Restoration Plan (HRP) sets.

2027 - TBD: Phase 3 Restoration: On the ground restoration work begins, implementing plans approved in the design phase.

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,

  • Heavy machinery and landscape equipment,

  • Herbicide and forestry tools,

  • Invasive species removal,

  • Tree removal,

  • Revegetation activities,

  • Loud noises,

  • Prescribed burns,

  • Temporary decline of visual aesthetics.

For everyone's safety, please stay on designated trails, do not approach field crews, and be mindful of any signs and notices. We know that this work is exciting and some of those machines are pretty cool, but crews are wearing protective gear for a reason -- use of chainsaws, forestry mowers, herbicide and other restoration tools require total focus. More details at AOC FAQ (coming soon!).

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:

  • Enhance recreation opportunities for the community

  • Increase fish and wildlife populations

  • Improve quality of habitat types

  • Expand native grassland and oak savanna habitat in the AOC

  • Address climate change impacts

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.

How can I get involved?

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,

  • Volunteer workdays,

  • Species monitoring,

  • Educational hikes and events,

  • And more!

Kohl Park is looking for friends! 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. Visit ParkPeopleMKE to start a friend’s group for Kohl Park today!

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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    8 months ago
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Page last updated: 24 Sep 2024, 07:53 AM