Trails and nature in the middle of urbania-mania. Believe it, dear readership!
I love that our city is big enough to feel like a city (sometimes) and small enough to feel like its yours and yours alone (sometimes) and that we've got great parks, green spaces, and trails to boot.
The Hank Aaron State Trail is a winner. Here are the facts, from the "Friends of the Hank Aaron State Trail"'s website itself:
"The Trail starts at Lakeshore State Park near the Henry W. Maier Festival Grounds, winds its way through the Historic Third Ward and Menomonee River Valley, past Miller Park, and then points west by accessing the new bridge at 37th St. The Trail links to Milwaukee County's 100-mile Oak Leaf Trail at both its east and west end, making it possible to bike from Lake Michigan, along several trails across the state, and eventually link to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Glacial Drumlin State Trail, and Military Ridge State Trail.
The Western extension features a new bike/pedestrian bridge over Hawley Road, redecked bridges, and asphalt pavement. When work is completed on the Zoo Interchange, the remaining off-road section of the Trail west of 94th Place will be completed and paved out to Underwood Creek and the connection to the Oak Leaf Trail. (Please note that a detour route exists for the section west of 94th Place.)
A new one-mile extension of the Trail opened in the new Three Bridges Park in the summer of 2013. This segment offers undulating terrain, great views of Milwaukee's downtown, and access to the Menomonee River. Entry points to the Trail are at the three bridges located at the Valley Passage at 37th and Canal Street, 33rd Court located just east of Palermo's Pizza, and behind the Mitchell Park Domes.
Some points of interest along and adjacent to the Trail include Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin, Milwaukee Art Museum, Lakeshore State Park, Summerfest & Ethnic Festivals, Historic Third Ward, Historic Walkers Point, Harley-Davidson Museum, Potawatomi Casino, Marquette Playing Fields, Mitchell Park Domes, Miller Park, Menomonee Valley Stormwater Park, Soldiers Home Historic District, State Fair Park, Petit Ice Center, and the restorative peace of the Menomonee River."
There it is. Everything you needed to know about the HAST without even Googling that noise, because I did it for you. Other things of note:
-great for biking to the Menomonee Valley/Silver City neighborhoods
-great for biking to Miller Park/the Wisconsin State Fair grounds
-pretty great in general
Walk, power walk, jog, run, bike, skate or Prancercise (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-50GjySwew) your butt off on this glorious, nature-tastic trail, Milwaukee. You know you'll feel better after you do, and yes, I just brought back Prancercise as a reference. I'm sorry/you're welcome. read more