Updates Planned for Oak Leaf Trail Segments

Milwaukee’s most iconic trail is getting a much-needed upgrade and the community is invited to help shape what comes next.

Milwaukee County Parks has launched the Oak Leaf Trail Modernization Project, a multi-site effort to bring aging sections of the Oak Leaf Trail up to modern standards. Built originally in the 1970s, parts of the trail system now show their age, with narrow widths, deteriorating pavement, and accessibility challenges that no longer match how heavily the trail is used today.

What’s being improved

The modernization project focuses on two clear goals. First, Parks plans to widen and repave substandard trail segments and improve ramps—especially in areas that are not fully ADA compliant. Some of the oldest sections are just five to eight feet wide, with pavement rough enough to make biking, walking, or pushing a stroller uncomfortable.

Second, the project will add consistent wayfinding signage along all repaved segments. The goal is to better highlight destinations, improve navigation, and make the Oak Leaf Trail even more useful as a true transportation corridor—not just a recreational path.

Project locations

Work is planned across several high-use sections of the trail system, including segments of the Milwaukee River Line and Lake Park near the North Shore:

• South Shore Line at Warnimont Park

• Root River Line from Morgan Avenue to Layton Avenue

• South Shore Line at Cupertino Park

• Milwaukee River Line at the Riverside High School ramp

• Milwaukee River Line through Lincoln and Meaux Parks

• Milwaukee River Line north of Lincoln Park to Silver Spring Drive

• Lake Park Loop at Lake Park

Together, these updates touch some of the most scenic—and most traveled—parts of the Oak Leaf Trail.

Public input meetings: your chance to weigh in

Before construction moves forward, Milwaukee County Parks is hosting a series of public input meetings where residents can learn more about the plans, review maps, and share feedback. Each meeting covers the same information, so attendees can choose the location and date that works best for them.

Meeting schedule (4:30–6:00 PM):

• Tuesday, January 20 – Kulwicki Park, 10777 W Cold Spring Rd., Greenfield

• Wednesday, January 21 – Gordon Park, 2828 N Humboldt Blvd., Milwaukee

• Thursday, January 22 – Sheridan Park Pavilion, 4700 S Sheridan Dr., Cudahy

• Tuesday, January 27 – Lincoln Upper Pavilion, 1301 W Hampton Ave., Milwaukee

Additional project details, including maps, are available on the Milwaukee County Parks Oak Leaf Trail Modernization project page.

For families, commuters, runners, cyclists, and anyone who loves Milwaukee’s park system, this project represents a big step forward. The Oak Leaf Trail has always been a connective thread through the county. Modernizing it ensures that it stays safe, accessible, and welcoming for the next generation of trail users—without losing the charm that made it a local favorite in the first place.