Formerly an abandoned railroad corridor, the Beerline Loop is now a thriving 2.5-mile segment of the Oak Leaf Trail managed by Milwaukee County Parks. This section of the trail is adjacent to Gordon Park (28 acres), and connects to the North Avenue Dam pedestrian bridge, the East Bank Trail, Caesar’s Park and Riverside Park – thus the “loop” anchored by three county parks and our own Turtle Park. Gordon Park, and the entire Milwaukee River Greenway, is a primary environmental and migratory corridor which provides upland hardwood forest, lowland riparian forests and wet-mesic grasslands bordered by a shub-carr. These plant communities have become a haven for wildlife trying to survive in our urban environment. Visit Gordon Park and you may find one of them: butler’s and common garter snake, brown dekay snakes, turtles, brown trout, steelhead, sturgeon, chinook salmon, red-tailed hawks, great horned owls, warblers, deer, coyote…and beavers!
Through a Memorandum of Understanding with Milwaukee County Parks, the land trust has been stewarding Gordon Park and the Beerline Trail area for many years. Staff and volunteers focus on eradicating invasive species targeted in the highest quality areas of the park. Following removal of invasive vegetation, we work to increase biodiversity by planting and seeding native species. Please enjoy the plants, but remember to leave them for all to enjoy!
The Beerline Trail is now managed by Milwaukee County Parks. There is NO HUNTING allowed. If you see a tree down over the trail or illegal dumping, please submit it to the Milwaukee County Issue Reporter.
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