Kletzsch Park might just fool you. It appears to be small in comparison to other Milwaukee County parks, but in fact, it is 140.5 acres (some sources say it's only 118.9 acres) created from what was once two family farms. It is also huge in the hearts of North Shore residents because Kletzsch Park packs a wallop.
There's lots to do here, softball diamonds, soccer fields and you can answer you inner Robin Hood on one of the few archery ranges in the county. The eastern boundary of the park is the shore of the Milwaukee River, in fact, the Milwaukee River Parkway passes through the park, following the course of the river, as does the Oak Leaf Recreational Trail. The Milwaukee River Parkway runs north from Lincoln Park to Good Hope Road.
It is a place full of history, too, there was a Civilian Conservation Corps camp here in 1935, but only for a few months, from May to November. In case you're curious, the park was named for Alvin P. Kletzsch, who served the park commission for 34 years.
In the heart of the park is a dam that was built in the Milwaukee River as a CCC project in the 1935. It is built of reinforced concrete and Lannon Stone, and its curved shape gives it the appearance of a waterfall. (There is a fish ladder built into it.) The site is a popular place for anglers and people who just want to sit and take in the sounds and sites of rushing water. The CCC also built the pavillion that can be rented.
Along with the rentable pavillion, there is softball, archery, sand volleyball, a tot lot and several picnic areas.
As I mentioned in my tip, Kletzsch Park, especially the waterfall, is a grand place to sit and forget about the rest of the world for awhile. read more