Mitchell and Kosciuszko Lagoons Shoreline Work

Mitchell Park & Kosciuszko Park Lagoon Shoreline Project

Milwaukee County is planning major improvements to the shorelines of the Mitchell Park Lagoon and the Kosciuszko Park Lagoon. The County is asking professional engineering and environmental consultants to submit proposals to design these improvements.

Why This Project Is Needed

Both lagoons are popular public spaces used for fishing, walking, and wildlife viewing—but each has environmental and safety issues:

Mitchell Park Lagoon

• Parts of the shoreline are wearing away.

• Invasive plants and litter are harming water quality.

• The water has high nutrient levels, causing algae problems.

• Fishing areas are becoming worn down from heavy public use.

Kosciuszko Park Lagoon

• Shoreline erosion is severe, especially next to the parking lot.

• Tall, overgrown vegetation blocks views and raises safety concerns.

• The water quality is poor due to high nutrient levels.

• A walking path is breaking down near the lagoon’s edge.

What the County Wants to Accomplish

The County’s goals are slightly different for each lagoon:

Mitchell Park

• Improve water quality and fishing experiences.

• Add native, low-growing plants to stabilize the shoreline.

• Create a small hard-surface buffer around the water to filter runoff.

• Move walking paths farther from the water where needed.

• Add small structures that help with fishing and reduce erosion.

Kosciuszko Park

• Improve the lagoon’s appearance and water quality.

• Fix the severely eroded east shoreline by removing part of the nearby parking lot.

• Move the trail farther from the water for safety and erosion control.

• Install low-height native plants to keep long-range visibility.

• Ensure buffers around the water reduce runoff and improve water clarity.

Work Already Completed

• Native pollinator gardens have been installed at both lagoons.

• A “Bio-Health Pod System” (a water-quality improvement technology) is already in place.

• Water quality testing has been done, showing both lagoons have high nutrient levels and some other issues.

What the Hired Consultant Will Do

The selected engineering team will:

• Prepare designs for shoreline restoration.

• Coordinate with County surveyors.

• Produce all technical construction documents.

• Attend project meetings.

• Support the County during construction (questions, reviews, inspections).

• Provide maintenance instructions to park staff.

The design process will move through several review stages (30%, 60%, 90%, and final plans).

Project Timeline (Approximate)

• October 2025 – Proposal period

• November 2025 – Consultant selected

• January–April 2026 – Design work completed

• June–August 2026 – Construction expected to take place

Who May Submit Proposals

Professional consulting teams with engineering and environmental expertise. They must meet County requirements, including a 7.52% Targeted Business Enterprise (TBE) participation goal.