Three Bridges Park

Three Bridges Park is a 24-acre urban green space located in the heart of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Situated along the Menomonee River between 27th and 37th Streets, this park represents a remarkable transformation of a former rail yard into a thriving natural area.

The park, which opened in 2013, features two miles of accessible biking and walking trails that wind through sculpted rolling hills. These trails offer visitors stunning views of Milwaukee's skyline, creating a unique juxtaposition of nature and urban landscape. In winter, the paved trails become ungroomed cross-country ski routes, allowing for year-round recreational use.

Three Bridges Park gets its name from the three pedestrian bridges that connect it to the surrounding neighborhoods. These bridges - the Valley Passage, the Silver City Bridge, and the Potawatomi Bridge - provide crucial access points, linking the park to the broader community and the Hank Aaron State Trail.

The park's landscape includes a variety of native plant species, with over 50,000 plants, trees, and shrubs having been planted since its inception. This diverse flora supports local wildlife and contributes to the park's role as an urban oasis. The Menomonee River, which runs through the park, offers opportunities for fishing and provides a natural corridor for wildlife.

Three Bridges Park serves as an outdoor classroom for the Urban Ecology Center, which uses the space for environmental education programs. The park's transformation from an industrial site to a natural area makes it a living example of urban renewal and ecological restoration.