Milwaukee River Greenway

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Milwaukee River Greenway
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Our River Valley
Charles B. Whitnall, father of Milwaukee Parks,
referred to the green areas along the river as
.the lungs of the city.
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How does our river breathe?
Our River Valley
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Prior recommendations have requested protection
of the river edge and watershed areas as a
natural habitat in the city. Unfortunately, these
remain just that, recommendations.
Our River Valley
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Now the river valley is part of the Northeast
Side development plan. Now is the time to
implement a vision by creating zoning
protections.
Our River Valley
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Our Milwaukee River A Central Park Vision
How does our river breathe?
Our River Valley
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Our Milwaukee River A Central Park Vision

• Protect nearly 800 acres and 7 miles of
  river-primary environmental corridor as
  identified by SEWRPC

• In 1997 (10 years ago) The Natural Areas Plan
  identified 447 key remaining natural areas in SE
  WI.

25 of these areas are in the Milwaukee River
Watershed.
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Our Milwaukee River A Central Park Vision

• The river is making a comeback
• Thousands of schoolchildren visit its outdoor
  classrooms every year
• The diversity of fish and wildlife has
  dramatically increased
• We now have the Milwaukee Urban Water Trail and
  the East Bank Trail
• Water quality has improved
• Anglers, paddlers, hikers, runners, dog walkers
  and birdwatchers recreate in the valley

Yet, more than ever, the Milwaukee River is at
risk!
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Milwaukee River A Central Park Vision
What can we do for our river?
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Our Milwaukee River A Central Park Vision

• Protect the primary environmental corridor
• Almost seven miles of river and 800 acres of
  valley from the former North Ave Dam to our City
  limits at Silver Spring, bluff to bluff.

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Our Milwaukee River A Central Park Vision

• Protect the viewshed

a clear and unheeded view of nature Charles B.
Whitnall, father of Milwaukee Parks
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Our Milwaukee River A Central Park Vision

• Protect the viewshed

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Our Milwaukee River A Central Park Vision

• Protect the viewshed

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Our Milwaukee River A Central Park Vision

• Protect the viewshed

• Establish
• by municipal zoning a viewshed in the river
  valley that does not allow new development to
  intrude physically or visually on the experience
  of visitors to the area.

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Milwaukee River A Central Park Vision

• Establish
• enhanced guidelines to control erosion and
  runoff

Recent clear cuts are an eyesore, destroy
wildlife habitat and create serious erosion
problems. Trees and natural vegetation are
slope stabilizers. They shade the river improving
aquatic habitat. Establish guidelines for
maintaining and enhancing vegetation.
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Milwaukee River A Central Park Vision

• Establish enhanced guidelines to control
  erosion and runoff.

Stormwater and sediment run-off are the biggest
polluters in urban Milwaukee. Runoff of
fertilizer and pesticides can harm and kill
aquatic life.
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Milwaukee River A Central Park Vision

• Preserve and enhance fisheries, native
  vegetation, and wildlife habitat.

Photo by Eddee Daniel
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Milwaukee River A Central Park Vision

• Improve public access and trails.

Everyone deserves the right and free access to
the river for recreational and experiential
interludes with nature.
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Milwaukee River A Central Park Vision

• Nearly 70 of the greenway corridor is
  publicly owned.

Everyone deserves the right to have free access
to the river.
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Milwaukee River A Central Park Vision

While WI does have rules which regulate shoreline
development in the form of NR115, these rules ARE
NOT applicable in Milwaukee County.
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Milwaukee River Greenway
We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity
belonging to us. When we see land as a community
to which we belong, we may begin to use it with
love and respect. Aldo Leopold
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Partners
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What you can do
Milwaukee River Greenway
Participate in upcoming design charrettes in
partnership with the Milwaukees Northeast Side
Plan Take a walk, bike, run, canoe in the valley.
Bring a friend. Go to our new website
www.protectmilwaukeeriver.org

• Contact your Mayor, DCD, and Aldermen to show
  your support for the Milwaukee River Greenway
• Mayor Barretts office   mayor_at_milwaukee.gov
• Phone [phone]
• Alderman Coggs mcoggs_at_milwaukee.gov 
• Telephone(Office) 414 286-2221(TDD) 414
  286-2025(After hours) 414 286-2150
• Alderman Kovac nkovac_at_milwaukee.gov
• Telephone(Office) 414 286-2221(TDD) 414
  286-2025(After hours) 414 286-2150
• Alderman Hamilton ahamil_at_milwaukee.gov 
• Telephone(Office) 414 286-2221(TDD) 414
  286-2025(After hours) 414 286-2150
• DCD Staff NortheastSidePlan_at_milwaukee.gov  
• Janet Grau, 414.286.5724    Project Manager
  
• Sarah Horn, 414.286.5620     Project
  Planner