Get out and volunteer on the Trail with Milwaukee Riverkeeper® in honor of Earth Day for Spring Clean-Up

This spring, join us in the community-wide effort across Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties to remove over 100,000 pounds of trash from our trails and river system during the 27th Annual Milwaukee Riverkeeper Spring Cleanup! Milwaukee Riverkeeper provides gloves, trash bags, and FREE T-SHIRTS and YOU provide the hands and energy to pick up trash. Grab a garbage bag, and let's clean up! This program is a collaborative effort with Milwaukee Riverkeeper®, Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful, Menomonee Valley Partners, and Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail.

Pre-registration is required to attend these cleanups. Register in advance for one of the six Hank Aaron State Trail sites by clicking the links below. Alternatively, you can register directly through the Milwaukee Riverkeepers website. See a map of the sites on the Milwaukee Riverkeeper® website.

• American Family Field Cleanup Registration ( Uecker Lot in the American Family Field)

• Highway 100 Cleanup Registration (108th St, Playtime Doggy Daycare (528 S 108th St, Milwaukee, WI 53214)

• Dickinson & 60th Street Cleanup Registration (Intersection of 60th Street and W Dickinson St.)

• 84th to 94th Street Cleanup Registration (Intersection of S 89th St and W Schlinger Ave)

• 121st Street Cleanup Registration (Kelmann Restoration, 12001 W Dearbourn Ave, Wauwatosa, WI 53226)

Bring Your Own (BYO) Hand Sanitizer and re-usable water bottle.

We look forward to coming together to get the Trail in ship shape order! Be prepared: check the forecast before coming out, dress for the weather and be sure to wear shoes that can get dirty.

If you appreciate the Trail as an integral component of our community and the connections it creates physically and to nature, join us at the Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail (FOHAST) 2023 Annual Meeting to learn about the Trail’s successes and where we are headed.

This FREE event will include a light healthy supper fare, quality conversation and meaningful connection, a brief presentation on all we accomplished along the Trail, and what to expect in the years to come. You will have the opportunity to meet other Trail Enthusiasts and hear about the various committees you can support if you are interested.

Please RSVP by replying to our Volunteer Planning Committee at Info@HankAaronStateTrail.org

You’ve probably passed this area dozens of times, but didn’t realize what is not seen and certainly didn’t realize what was here before. Let’s use the trail to take a closer look at the ponds, their function, and their artistic embellishments. We’ll also talk about the history of the Milwaukee Road, one of the largest rail yards of its time, its thousands of dedicated workers, and the project to honor them. We’ll view and learn more about the completed People of the Road sculptures and the spectacular Tilted Channel art installations. We’ll end by enjoying the walking paths, riverside trails, and abundance of native plants on this section of the trail. The walk will be guided by Michelle Kramer of Menomonee Valley Partners and FOHAST Board Member.

Location: 212 S 36th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53215 

COST: $2 Residents or Non-Residents.  Register here

QUESTIONS: QUESTIONS: Info@HankAaronStateTrail.org

Take a beautiful guided tour of the Hank Aaron State Trail and Milwaukee Soldiers Home Grounds with Melissa Cook, Trail Manager (retired).  We will use the Trail to walk to and through the nationally recognized Historic Soldier’s Home Campus, established at the end of the Civil War as a place of healing and respite for soldiers.  You won’t want to miss this up close look at the great gothic tower now on the Historic Registry! 

Location: Meet in the 700 block of S 56th St (north of National Avenue) next to the Trail

COST: $2 Residents or Non-Residents.  Register here

QUESTIONS: Please contact Info@HankAaronStateTrail.org

The Harley-Davidson Museum® is located in one of Milwaukee’s most interesting locations, jutting out between the Menomonee River and Menomonee Canal. Beautifully landscaped, this segment loops around the Museum, connecting to the Sixth Street Bridge, and to Reed Street Yards, an area with innovative stormwater management techniques that keep pollutants out of our waterways. Robert Peschel, Hank Aaron State Trail Board Member and retired environmental engineer will guide the walk along the waterway highlighting the innovative stormwater manager bioswales, the creative features of Freshwater Way, Reed Street Yards, and more. Event will take place rain or shine.

Location: Meet at the water feature on the corner of Freshwater Way and S 3rd Street across from the Global Water Center (247 W Freshwater Way.) There is street parking on Freshwater Way, S 2nd Street, and S 3rd Street. 

COST: $2 Residents or Non-Residents.  Register here

QUESTIONS: Please contact Info@HankAaronStateTrail.org

Join us in celebrating the 10th anniversary of Three Bridges Park! This park was once a vacant railyard, but now it has become a thriving green space in the heart of the city. Come and enjoy guided hikes, music, games, dance performances, and animal stations throughout the park. You'll also have the opportunity to learn about how this incredible space came to be and explore 24 acres of vibrant nature with two miles of trails.

And what's a celebration without food, music, and community?

Join us for a party as we look back on all that's happened and all that's yet to come! This is a fun, family-friendly event you won't want to miss. FOHAST will be sponsoring SITE 5 on the map - by 33rd Court Bridge.

https://www.facebook.com/events/238499692051746/

Join Wisconsin State Park staff and friends for a day of adventure, learning and celebrating in the outdoors. OutWiGo Green is a unique outdoor recreation and conservation event in Wisconsin's beautiful Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit. From group hikes, bike rides, paddling, rock climbing, nature crafts and more, this day of fun is fit for OutWiGo-Getters of all ages, experience levels and abilities. Bring friends and family, or fly solo.

• Subscribe to OutWiGo News to stay up-to-date with OutWiGo Green and Wisconsin State Park System news.

The Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail invite you to kick off the spring trail season at the 2023 Melissa Cook Spring Ride. This is a fun, family-friendly, leisurely group ride that can be done at your own pace! It’s a great way to see where the Hank Aaron State Trail goes, how it connects, and just enjoy a spring day in this urban wilderness. More than 10 acres of green space run along the Hank Aaron State trail, a sight to behold.

We will meet as a group at 1pm in Menomonee Valley Community Park (212 S 36th Street where W Canal Street and W Milwaukee Road meet). From here, we’ll ride 3 miles to the west end of the trail where it ends at Underwood Creek and connects with Oak Leaf Trail and ultimately to the New Berlin Trail. A unique feature at this intersection is the refurbished copper shelter. Our return trip will feature awesome views of the Wisconsin State Fair Park, murals on Kelmann Restoration buildings, new sapling and revegetation from the Dickinson Volunteer Planting Day, and more.

Upon your return to the menomonee River Valley, grab a drink and snacks at a number of local businesses open to bikers and trail enthusiasts.

Questions? Contact info@hankaaronstatetrail.org

SITES UPDATED! CLICK ON EACH SITE LINK BELOW where you’d like to volunteer at, to register directly with Milwaukee Riverkeepers. We’re happy to once again partner with the Milwaukee Riverkeepers to come together as a community to care for our rivers. After last year’s successful event, we feel confident moving forward with this annual tradition.  It’s time to tackle pollution and restore our rivers once again.

This spring, join us in the community-wide effort across Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties to remove over 100,000 pounds of trash from our trails and river system during the 27th Annual Milwaukee Riverkeeper Spring Cleanup! Milwaukee Riverkeeper provides gloves, trash bags, and FREE T-SHIRTS and YOU provide the hands and energy to pick up trash. Grab a garbage bag, and let's clean up! This program is a collaborative effort with Milwaukee Riverkeeper, Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful, Menomonee Valley Partners, and Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail.

Pre-registration is required to attend these cleanups. Register in advance for one of the six Hank Aaron State Trail sites by clicking the links below. Alternatively, you can register directly through the Milwaukee Riverkeepers website. See a map of the sites on the Milwaukee Riverkeepers website - all the Hank Aaron State Trail sites are along the Trail and start with HAST.

• American Family Field Cleanup Registration ( Tailgate Haus in the American Family Lot)

• Highway 100 Cleanup Registration (108th St, Playtime Doggy Daycare (528 S 108th St, Milwaukee, WI 53214)

• Dickinson & 60th Street Cleanup Registration (Intersection of 60th Street and W Dickinson St.)

• 84th to 94th Cleanup Registration (Intersection of S 89th St and W Schlinger Ave)

• 121st St Cleanup Registration (Kelmann Restoration, 12001 W Dearbourn Ave, Wauwatosa, WI 53226)

• 108th to 116th St Cleanup Registration (Intersection of S 116th St and W Fairview Ave)

Bring Your Own (BYO) Hand Sanitizer and re-usable water bottle.

We look forward to coming together to get the Trail in ship shape order! Be prepared: check the forecast before coming out, dress for the weather and be sure to wear shoes that can get dirty.

Registration Here:MILWAUKEE RIVERKEEPER

If you appreciate the Trail as an integral component of our community and the connections it creates physically and to nature, join us at the Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail (FOHAST) 2022 Annual Meeting!

This FREE event will include a light healthy supper fare, quality conversation and meaningful connection, a brief presentation on all we accomplished along the Trail in 2022, and what to expect in 2023. You will have the opportunity to meet the FOHAST Board and hear about the various committees you can support if you are interested. There will be time to socialize with FOHAST board members and learn more about how you can get involved on the Trail.

Location: Meet in the 700 block of S 56th St (north of National Avenue)

Take a beautiful guided tour of the Hank Aaron State Trail and Milwaukee Soldiers Home Grounds with Melissa Cook, Trail Manager (retired). We will use the Trail to walk to and through the nationally recognized Historic Soldier’s Home Campus, established at the end of the Civil War as a place of healing and respite for soldiers. You won’t want to miss this up-close look at the great gothic tower now on the Historic Registry!

COST: $2 Residents or Non-Residents.  Register at www.MilwaukeeRecreation.net.

QUESTIONS: Please contact Jill at fohast@gmail.com

The Harley-Davidson Museum® is located in one of Milwaukee’s most interesting locations, jutting out between the Menomonee River and Menomonee Canal. Beautifully landscaped, this segment loops around the Museum, connecting to the Sixth Street Bridge, and to Reed Street Yards, an area with innovative stormwater management techniques that keep pollutants out of our waterways. Robert Peschel, Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail (FOHAST) Board Member and retired environmental engineer will guide the walk along the waterway highlighting the innovative stormwater manager bioswales, the creative features of Freshwater Way, Reed Street Yards, and more. Event will take place rain or shine.

Location: Meet at the water feature on the corner of Freshwater Way and S 3rd Street across from the Global Water Center (247 W Freshwater Way.) There is street parking on Freshwater Way, S 2nd Street, and S 3rd Street. 

COST: $2 Residents.  Register at www.MilwaukeeRecreation.net.

QUESTIONS: Please contact Jill at fohast@gmail.com 

Location: Meet in the 700 block of S 56th St (north of National Avenue)

Take a beautiful guided tour of the Hank Aaron State Trail and Milwaukee Soldiers Home Grounds with Melissa Cook, Trail Manager (retired).  We will use the Trail to walk to and through the nationally recognized Historic Soldier’s Home Campus, established at the end of the Civil War as a place of healing and respite for soldiers.  You won’t want to miss this up close look at the great gothic tower now on the Historic Registry! 

COST: $2 Residents or Non-Residents.  Register at www.MilwaukeeRecreation.net.

QUESTIONS: Please contact Jill at fohast@gmail.com

The Harley-Davidson Museum® is located in one of Milwaukee’s most interesting locations, jutting out between the Menomonee River and Menomonee Canal. Beautifully landscaped, this segment loops around the Museum, connecting to the Sixth Street Bridge, and to Reed Street Yards, an area with innovative stormwater management techniques that keep pollutants out of our waterways. Mairead Rauch of The Sigma Group will guide the walk along the waterway highlighting the innovative stormwater manager bioswales, the creative features of Freshwater Way, Reed Street Yards, and more. Event will take place rain or shine.

Event will take place rain or shine.

Location: Meet at the entrance to the Global Water Center (247 W Freshwater Way). There is street parking near the Global Water Center.

COST: $2 Residents or Non-Residents and includes a Hank Aaron State Trail Themed Gift.  Register at www.MilwaukeeRecreation.net.

QUESTIONS: Please contact Jill at fohast@gmail.com 

If you appreciate the Trail as an integral component of our community and the connections it creates physically and to nature, join us at the Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail (FOHAST) 2021 Annual Meeting!

True to the times, we’ll hold our annual meeting in virtual format. We’re looking forward to sharing a brief presentation on all that was accomplished along the Trail in 2020, and what to expect in 2021. You will have the opportunity to ask questions, share your thoughts, and learn more about how you can get involved on the Trail.

On the day of, you’ll be able to join the meeting here or you can add the meeting to your calendar: