Frederick Law Olmsted – famed designer of New York’s Central Park – designed a three park system in Milwaukee. The east side is home to two of Olmsted’s Milwaukee’s renowned parks: Lake Park and Riverside Park (originally “River Park”), with Newberry Boulevard being the deliberate connector between the two. A good share of the Oak Leaf Trail is routed through both parks, which is used in this route to explore each. Starting at the south end of Lake Park, our route takes you through the park then out onto Newberry Boulevard. Upon reaching the intersection of Newberry and Oakland Avenue, cross over into Riverside Park, where you’ll loop around the trails then head back on Newberry.
Newberry Blvd. has the signatures of an Olmsted designed road: wide, shaded, with homes pleasantly set back, and a grassy median.
Frederick Law Olmsted – famed designer of New York’s Central Park – designed a three park system in Milwaukee. The east side is home to two of Olmsted’s Milwaukee’s renowned parks: Lake Park and Riverside Park (originally “River Park”), with Newberry Boulevard being the deliberate connector between the two. A good share of the Oak Leaf Trail is routed through both parks, which is used in this route to explore each. Starting at the south end of Lake Park, our route takes you through the park then out onto Newberry Boulevard. Upon reaching the intersection of Newberry and Oakland Avenue, cross over into Riverside Park, where you’ll loop around the trails then head back on Newberry.
Newberry Blvd. has the signatures of an Olmsted designed road: wide, shaded, with homes pleasantly set back, and a grassy median.
A great waterfront run, between the Milwaukee Art Museum to the south and Lake Park to the north, and heading through Veterans Park. Enjoy any part of this 5-mile trail, or connections to many other trails.
Named after the famed baseball player, the Hank Aaron State Trail has a more urban feel, traversing Milwaukee County from Lake Michigan through the Historic Third Ward and the Menomonee Valley.
Once used by freight trains to transport beer ingredients to some of Milwaukee’s famous breweries, the Beerline Trail is a recently renovated addition that runs through parkways along the Milwaukee River.
The Milwaukee RiverWalk winds through the heart of the city, tying together three distinct riverfront neighborhoods — the Historic Third Ward, Downtown, and Beerline B.
On the banks of the Milwaukee River. The Oak Leaf Trail runs along the east side of the park, and there are also interior trails. About 2.8 miles around the park, with views of the Milwaukee River, and options to continue further south.
For some attractive residential neighborhood running in Milwaukee, we recommend Whitefish Bay and Fox Point, just north of downtown and east of the Greenway. Classic older neighborhoods, with tree-shaded streets and attractive homes.
Originally named West Park, Washington Park, was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Located west of Downtown, this large park features paved trails for a flat, 2 mile loop.
The South Shore of Milwaukee features stunning views of Lake Michigan, several beautiful parks and beaches, on this route that follows the Oak Leaf Trail through Bay View Park, Sheridian Park, and Grant Park.
Lapham Peak State Park is located in Delafield, Wisconsin, about 25 miles west of Milwaukee, and includes the highest point in Waukesha County. Many of the Milwaukee running groups come here for long run days.
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