Each of the designs for trailhead amenities draws on the context of the site for inspiration:

KK & Maple

Inspired by the railroad the trail will run along as well as the industrial heritage and shipping of the area, proposed materials for the trailhead at S. KK Ave and E. Maple St. will include recycled railroad cross ties for a platform set in crushed shale aggregate, with concrete seats formed in 55 gallon steel drums. A small prairie restoration with swamp oaks would provide a natural respite within a very industrialized area. The seating will face east toward the nearby harbor and offer excellent views of downtown Milwaukee.

KK & Maple Design Plan PDF

Rosedale & Sixth

Drawing on restoration work that MMSD will soon have underway in the adjacent area of the KK River, the W. Rosedale and S. Sixth St. trailhead uses gabion baskets – which are similar to metal cages - and used almost exclusively for stream stabilization. At the trailhead, gabion baskets would be filled with indigenous rocks and act as benches in a seating area under a canopy of Bur Oaks – while also acting as barriers to prevent cars from entering the area to dump refuse. This seating area will be oriented to the north to face the river.

Rosedale & Sixth Design Plan PDF

First & Lincoln

Following ideas from workshop participants to use recycled materials, the trailhead at S. First St. and E. Lincoln Avenue will reuse stone and concrete from a nearby rubble pile. This trailhead provides the easiest access to its namesake river, and will include a larger gathering space for bringing students to the river for environmental education opportunities. Recycled stone and concrete would be used for a larger circle of seats to accommodate groups - that would also serve as a retaining wall for the ramp connecting to an elevated portion of the trail. Recycled stone and concrete would also be used to build stairs in an area where a “desire” trail has created erosion on a steep bank. These plans also call for a future kayak ramp in close proximity to the gathering space.

First & Lincoln Design Plan PDF

KKRT Logo Draft

A stylized graphic of a bicycle is integrated with a graphic representation of a map of the KK River and nearby harbor to remind us that Milwaukee’s forgotten river flows near the trail.

KKRT Logo Draft - High Resolution

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