Melanec’s Wheelhouse Site Will Be New River Greenway Area Park

by Kimberly A. Gleffe Executive Director, River Revitalization Foundation

River Revitalization Foundation, Milwaukee’s urban riversland trust, will kick off Earth Day with a press conference and reception atthe site of their most recent land conservation purchase, the Melanec’sWheelhouse site.

This 2.8-acre riverfront parcel, with nearly 650 feet ofshoreline is adjacent to the 800-acre Milwaukee River Greenway upstream fromthe former North Avenue dam.

A transition between the estuary, the RiverWalk downtown andthe natural river valley, this blighted site will be restored into a riverfrontpark, becoming the fourth park within a 2.5-mile loop of parks and trails,including Caesar's, Riverside and Gordon Parks. With restoration, the site willprovide public access to additional greenspace in the city, bank stabilizationand floodplain protection, habitat for endangered species and increasedrecreational opportunities.

The project will serve all the residents of the City andCounty of Milwaukee, specifically 200,000 residing within one mile of the site.Neighborhoods on both sides of the river will have better access to the BeerlineLoop of trails on the east and west banks of the Milwaukee River, connected tothis site at the North Avenue  dampedestrian bridge.

We will also recruit and employ urban youth as ecologicalrestoration interns through the City’s Earn & Learn program to assist withecological restoration. Volunteers are also needed! Please contact us for moreinformation at riverrevitalizationfoundation.org

If You Go:

Who: River Revitalization Foundation

What: Wheelhouse campaign kick-off and reception withGovernor Doyle 

When: Monday, April 26 • 2:45 PM

Where: 2176 N. Riverboat Rd. and reception to follow atBayou Cajun Restaurant

Why: Celebrate Earth Day and Conservation in the City!