Franklin Woods' playground area has greatly improved since they put in Kayla's Playground- a…read morehandicap-friendly and large playground to suit many ages. This playground and nearby picnic area is much improved, and they've also doubled the size of the parking lot, which is nice, and the playground is really a popular attraction. I've been coming here to hike the woodland trail for years, and it's a nice secluded hike with one main trail and a short offshoot. It's dog friendly, and we like to hike it year-round. If hiking in the winter, wear boots, as the trail can get icy. It's a nice secluded trail that connects to the neighborhood nearby. The paved loop around the marsh is nice as well. I would like to see them bring back the interpretive nature sign by the woodland path that told you about the numbered trees in the trail. The signs that do remain look unused, and the one by the marsh is broken with a small beehive inside. Small improvements to the "nature center" part of this area would make it five stars.

This park has greatly improved from what it was just a few years ago. It started with a tiny…read moreparking lot and trails through the woods. Then a playground and walking track was added. Now there is a big parking area and a handicap accessible playground- but my favorite part is still the original woodsy trails. From spring through fall(not a fan of winter walking) I have walked these woods, watching the birth, life and death of so many cool plants and foliage. In spring there is an impressive Trillium bloom that can be seen from the road. The trails are good for walking dogs too, but please clean up after them! The walking trail is very flat so anyone of any age can enjoy it. I can't speak for the playground as I'm a bit too old to partake, but the swings were always fun ;)

This is such an incredible park! They have a parking lot, picnic tables in shade, walking trails…read morearound the water, views of the Wehr nature Center, a golf course clubhouse, and even some seasonal things like sledding, Halloween decorations, etc. Expect to see a lot of hikers or bird watchers when it's nice!

Whitnall Park- the Crown Jewel of the MKE County Park system? Perhaps! We've hiked here often, come…read moreto the seasonal Sprecher beer garden, brought the kids to the Wehr Nature Center and Boerner Botanical Garden. This place really has something for everyone. Frisbee golf? You got it. Golf golf? You got it. Sledding? You got it. XX Skiiing. BYO, but got that too! Hiking here is a pleasure, and there are so many trails and different types of landscapes. Blue Loop is a wooded wonderland. But is there a way around the Yellow Loop without having to walk on water? LMK! Can't wait to get back to Whitnall Park.

While this was a spacious park, I don't think it's worth the daily pass fee of $7. There is a good…read moreamount of parking available and a small pond for people/dogs to play in. Checked out some of the trails but they weren't too well maintained. We primarily stopped by for a beer garden and car show. If you don't pay the fee beforehand online, you'll receive something in the mail about a month later. Surprised they charge this much considering they don't put more into their park. I'd rather check out a different free park in the area, like Whitnall.

I've been here before over the years for the trails and dog parks. You need a day or year pass for…read moreparking. The year pass is worth it if you would visit more than 6 times/visit any of the other Waukesha Parks. I went this past visit with my pup to paddle board- I personally wouldn't go again for this since it really is a pond and the water is a bit stinky and quite yucky! If we would have fallen in the water I would have been so upset so we only did one lap and then I let him play some water fetch. I do love the expanse of trails however and it looks like they have a beer garden set up as well. I'll come back just not for the water portion here

Beautiful park that has a path that leads straight out to Lake Michigan. This trail made it feel…read morelike I was back home in Colorado and gives someone who's homesick a little sense of peace and comfort. Highly recommend in fall! PSA: Be aware of ticks!!

I absolutely love this park. Ive been coming here since i was a little girl and it hasn't lost its…read morecharm quite yet although slowly falling apart. I frequent this park often and it does seem like they are trying to keep up with damaged walkways and fallen trees as best as possible. This trail connects over to grant park as well as the neighboring golf course. Many picnic areas, walking trails, views, and two points of beach access. The stairs here are VERY steep, and the pathways are generally NOT smooth. If these are concerns for you be weary! Bathrooms are as clean as you can expect at a park, trash cans are never left filthy, and parks people as well as park enjoyers all do a pretty good job of picking up any litter or trash left behind. Passer by'ers are typically friendly, and can even offer tidbits of information about the native plant life growing around you! If you care to say hello. In the summers on the weekends this place gets pretty crazy, and becomes a park i no longer enjoy. Visitors from nearby locations blast loud music, graffiti trees, leave mounds of garbage, and totally wreck the place. Photographers and photoshoots engulf the area, making it impossible to actually just relax enjoy the park. But thats not the parks fault! It really is beautiful! Summer visitors do show a lack of respect for the wildlife, however. If you are a large group, summer enjoyer. There are different events that take place here such as the annual beer garden. Theres a pavilion available for reservations for parties and events. Fall time is also awesome here. Whether you prefer a short scenic drive to admire the trees, or prefer to be more immersed, this place has color!! Hands down one of my favorite places to spend me time. On the right day, in the right season that is.

Pretty spot with lots of critters and birds! The chipmunks are next-level, though! They will run…read moreright up to/past your feet. It's so close you will "yelp" out of surprise because they come so close. They have rentable rooms, my cousin rented one for her brother's memorial and I will say this is a very nice and soothing spot for a memorial with all of the nature surrounding. We took a little walk over to the pier and all of the lily pads are really pretty to look at. There was a small kids/learning area up front and some snake terrariums, too. I only explored the one section, I am sure there is much more to explore. This is a really nice option if you are looking for something to memorialize a loved one. They have bricks all over with little messages honoring people who have passed.

There are forested trails. There are trails through prairie lands. There's a 2 mile loop around the…read morepond. Kids play area has a log cabin and mud kitchen. Their Halloween hike is phenomenal. A guided walk along a jack o lantern lit path, with stops for woodland characters- owl, witch and much more. I really should keep that a secret though because it already sells out too fast. Also nearby: Boerner Botanical Garden (including Margie's garden)

Bender Park: Located on the shores of Lake Michigan in Oak Creek, this park offers some lovely…read moreviews of the lake and scenic trails. While it is a nice park, I prefer Lake Vista Park, which is located directly next door to the north. If I visit Bender Park in the evening, I've noted on multiple visits that certain drivers tend to speed recklessly through the parking lot. The other plus to Lake Vista is it does have a playground for kids, while Bender does not. Only other complaint is that the WE Energies plant to the south is a bit of an eyesore in an otherwise scenic location.

Great Park, there is cool beach, two brand new shelters and rocks with sparkles on them. Super cool…read moreplace with fantastic view of the Oak Creek Power plant.

Beautiful walk through the woods! Great for pets. Trail is not well marked. Easy walk. Watch for…read morewildlife.

Nice short hiking trail. Just a warning, the mosquitoes are terrible here in the summer and the…read moretrail easily gets muddy with rain. Best time to visit is a warm dry day in the fall. Lots of colors and deer if you're quite

Lake Vista Park: Located in Oak Creek and nestled along the shore of Lake Michigan, this park has…read moresomething for everyone. First, there is a modern playground for kids along with a spacious field for recreational activities. A pavilion that can be rented for social events (parties) is also available near the playground. For nature enthusiasts, a handicap accessible paved walkway leads down to the lake, but for more adventurous parkgoers, there are also trails through the dense forest. The views of the lake can be spectacular at the right time of day and when the weather cooperates. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area. I can't wait to visit in the autumn when the peak color changes occur.

Lake Vista Park opened in summer 2020, and will in a few years be one of everyone's favorite MKE…read moreCounty Parks destinations, if it isn't their favorite already. With a big new public building, trails, playground, pathways and rest buildings, it's setting the bar high for new Parks! I came here for a launch party back in fall 2020, complete with a cover band, food trucks, a beer truck, and recently returned to do some hiking! True to its name, it has an incredible view of the Lake, and great trails leading to the Lake viewing area, as well as trails that go down towards the Lake, and also to Bender Park. For cross-park hiking, you can park at Lake Vista, at Bender, or in-between both parks. The bird blinds and rest houses are really unique, and there are lots of accessible trails. Since I parked along the Lakefront at Bender Park, I took the Lake trail back to Bender; which does involve some stealth climbing. They should 100% officially connect the two parks at Lake level. Still, Lake Vista Park is incredible, and bound to become one of the crown jewels in the MKE County Parks system.

A real gem of a county park wildlife sanctuary, close to 200 acres of which about 60 acres or so is…read morehardwood forest. A swimming area and plenty of nice picnic area make this a great warm weather park but the hiking trails are good all year round. The swimming area used to have lifeguards but I think the County cut that out a couple years back. There's a five dollar per car fee which is well worth it. Plenty of parking. https://www.waukeshacounty.gov/muskego/

How dare you charge for a pavilion for a baby shower & charge guests for parking without informing…read morethem that is going to happen. Absurd!

Underused County forest preserve with parking for only 4 vehicles right near the airport. There's…read morea covered gazebo area with room for a small party but I'm not sure they ever do that. A very pleasant forest hike, one circuit is only 7 minutes, the other about 40 minutes at a leisurely pace, so if you take both you can have around a 45-50 minute pleasant easy hike. Insect repellent is a must, but the foliage is dense enough that sunblock isn't actually necessary. Trail can be muddy if it rains overnight.

One of the wilder Milwaukee County Parks, you can really get lost to the world inside of this 40…read moreacres. A footpath system runs throughout both halves. One solid wood bridge links the north half, full of hickory, beech, and oak, to the back half, full of oak, maple, fallen elm, and ironwood. Many species of ground cover best seen in May, a real woodland treat. Bring binoculars if you have them, many birds. Occasional sound from Airport which has a run way adjacent to the east. Called Cudahy Woods by DNR and most others, Designated as a State Natural Area in 2002, this is truly one of the best of the best that's left. http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/lands/naturalareas/index.asp?sna=351 A bit hard to find, DNR can help clue you in, the large park sign at chained entry has fallen over and not yet been replaced. But is it worth it? Every bit of it.