Menomonee River Parkway Fish and 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.
We recently receive the first draft of the Ecological Restoration Plan for Menomonee River Parkway 5-6. You may review the alternatives in the document portion of this webpage. Questions about the project? Please contact us!
Updates
Summer Fun Night is BACK!
At the beginning of June 2026, we received three options or “alternatives” that provided a variety of recommendations for improvements in the park. We have been making progress on sharing these alternatives with the community as well as technical experts and have been gathering feedback to help us narrow down to one alternative that the final plans will be made with. Please join us on the 23rd to learn more about the alternatives!
Project Background and Overview:
Who is ready for another AOC project? We sure are! As we work to delist the Milwaukee Estuary AOC, restoration and wildlife enhancements continue to occur throughout Milwaukee County. If you guessed that Menomonee River Parkway (MNR) Sections 5 and 6 were next – you’d be right! These two sections are separated by Currie Park, Section 5 is directly north of Currie Park, and Section 6 is to the east. This project adds about 178 acres of Milwaukee County greenspace to the list of restoration projects for the Milwaukee Estuary AOC.
MNR Sections 5 and 6 are part of the larger parkway that is made up of ~597 acres. The Menomonee River flows directly through both Sections which creates a unique opportunity to restore and enhance forest, wetland, riparian (water's edge), and ephemeral pond habitats. Many of these habitat types once had a high population of ash tree species and have been in decline since the introduction of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB). Also – there are a total of 18 ephemeral ponds within the project area, maintenance and protection of these ponds will help create important habitat and a breeding place for herptiles (reptiles and amphibians)! Wisconsin is home to 19 species of amphibians and 37 reptile species – that is a lot scaley friends that are in need of these important yet declining habitats.
When and Where is Working Happening?
Both sections are located in Wauwatosa, WI. Section 5 spans from Hampton Ave. to Capitol Drive, north of Currie Park. Section 6 sits between I-94 ALT and W. Burleigh Street. Please note that Currie Park is not part of this project. Planning, design, and future restoration work will only be taking place within the natural areas of the project area which will be restored to promote habitat for fish and wildlife and biodiversity!
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 natives 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:
- Enhance recreation opportunities for the community
- Increase fish and wildlife populations
- Improve the quality of habitat types
- Improve spawning (breeding) habitat for Northern Pike
- Address climate change impacts
- Restore floodplain forest stands
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 AOC. “Delisting” involves implementing projects that will address issues that have prevented humans, fish, and wildlife from being able to fully and safely use our natural resources.
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,
- Volunteer workdays,
- Species monitoring,
- Educational hikes and events,
- And more!
Another way to get involved is by helping to keep our parks clean! Illegal dumping has been a big challenge at many AOC projects. 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
Who's Listening
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AOC Project Manager
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Phone 414-567-8310 Email Antonio.Giron@milwaukeecountywi.gov
Project Partners
