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Oak Leaf Trail Extension Phase 1 (Drexel to Bender Park)
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Milwaukee County Parks completed the Bender Oak Leaf Trail Extension Phase 1 (Drexel to Bender Park entrance) in 2021. Two bridges and wayfinding signs help extend the South Shore Oak Leaf Trail Line to Bender Park. The trail is a partnership between We Energies and Parks, with We Energies granting County Parks an easement to build and maintain a trail for public recreation. The trail is gravel for the foreseeable future due to an upcoming We Energies project to upgrade the gas main alongside the trail. Rather than paying for paving twice, Parks is waiting until the gas main is replaced and then will seek funding to pave the trail. An upcoming multi-year project will further extend the trail to the southern edge of Bender Park and the Racine trail system (see Oak Leaf Trail Extension Phase 2 (through Bender Park)).
For details regarding project background, refer to the linked Rails-to-Trails Conservancy article below.
Milwaukee County Parks completed the Bender Oak Leaf Trail Extension Phase 1 (Drexel to Bender Park entrance) in 2021. Two bridges and wayfinding signs help extend the South Shore Oak Leaf Trail Line to Bender Park. The trail is a partnership between We Energies and Parks, with We Energies granting County Parks an easement to build and maintain a trail for public recreation. The trail is gravel for the foreseeable future due to an upcoming We Energies project to upgrade the gas main alongside the trail. Rather than paying for paving twice, Parks is waiting until the gas main is replaced and then will seek funding to pave the trail. An upcoming multi-year project will further extend the trail to the southern edge of Bender Park and the Racine trail system (see Oak Leaf Trail Extension Phase 2 (through Bender Park)).
For details regarding project background, refer to the linked Rails-to-Trails Conservancy article below.
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I have ridden this trail, admittedly the bridges were complete. Yes, my shoes got wet, but it was well worth it for the adventure. I'm looking forward to riding the trail when complete. And thanks to We Energies / WEC for opening up the ROW for bike/hike trails!
hrschaver
over 2 years ago
Page last updated: 08 Aug 2023, 12:56 PM
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Project Location
Project Stage
Design
Oak Leaf Trail Extension Phase 1 (Drexel to Bender Park) has finished this stage
Project design complete
Construction
Oak Leaf Trail Extension Phase 1 (Drexel to Bender Park) has finished this stage
Began earlier in 2022
Completion
Oak Leaf Trail Extension Phase 1 (Drexel to Bender Park) is currently at this stage
Finished by early fall 2022
Project Details
Grant:
$1,306,400 through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Program
Milwaukee County Parks completed the Bender Oak Leaf Trail Extension Phase 1 (Drexel to Bender Park entrance) in 2021. Two bridges and wayfinding signs help extend the South Shore Oak Leaf Trail Line to Bender Park. The trail is a partnership between We Energies and Parks, with We Energies granting County Parks an easement to build and maintain a trail for public recreation. The trail is gravel for the foreseeable future due to an upcoming We Energies project to upgrade the gas main alongside the trail. Rather than paying for paving twice, Parks is waiting until the gas main is replaced and then will seek funding to pave the trail. An upcoming multi-year project will further extend the trail to the southern edge of Bender Park and the Racine trail system (see Oak Leaf Trail Extension Phase 2 (through Bender Park)).
I have ridden this trail, admittedly the bridges were complete. Yes, my shoes got wet, but it was well worth it for the adventure. I'm looking forward to riding the trail when complete. And thanks to We Energies / WEC for opening up the ROW for bike/hike trails!