By Ariele Vaccaro
County Executive Chris Abele commends the Parks Department on the completion of phase one in the reconstruction of the Menomonee River Parkway
This past Thursday afternoon, the Milwaukee County Parks Department celebrated finishing the first phase in the complete reconstruction of the Menomonee River Parkway. Overall, the project will cost the County $9.1 million.
The popular pedestrian and bicycle road is now more environmentally friendly as well as safer for those using it.
According to Sarah Toomsen, manager of planning at the Park Department, the parkway now sports a complex water filtration system including rain gardens, bio-filtration, and some organic filtration methods.
Grass swales line the parkway and naturally filter water that washes down from the street and makes its way to the Menomonee River.
In addition, the department has planted a number of tree species that can tolerate wet and dry conditions while naturally treating water.
Among other things, the parkway has been repaved and new lighting has been installed.
For pedestrians and bicyclists, there are now raised crosswalks and a pathway running parallel to the parkway.
Drivers have more parking available to them.
County Executive Chris Abele attended the announcement and expressed his excitement to see the second phase, which is set to be completed by the summer of 2016.
“When you look for partnerships and solutions, you find them and you get days like this,” said Abele, commending Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District and the District of Transportation for also getting involved.
The parkway passes through Milwaukee and through the City of Wauwatosa.
The Mayor of Wauwatosa, Kathleen Ehley, attended to thank the Parks Department for its work.
“This has been a labor of love,” said Ehley. Jeff Roznowski is 6th District Alderman for Wauwatosa. He saw the renewed parkway as a method for communities to connect.
“We’ve created connectivity,” to nearby parks like Hartung and Hoyt parks.
The project is only about halfway done, though. Phase two will be much like the first phase, but will continue down to Burleigh Rd. to Church St.