Celebrate 25 Years of the Hank Aaron State Trail at the 6th Annual Spring Ride & Launch of Lakefront’s Bike & Pedestrian Pocket Park

Photo courtesy of the Friends of the Hank Aaron State Trail.

Milwaukee, WI — May 3, 2026 — The Friends of the Hank Aaron State Trail (FOHAST) invite the community to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Hank Aaron State Trail at the 6th Annual Spring Ride on Sunday, May 3. The event will feature a special appearance by retired WDNR Trail Manager Melissa Cook and will kick off the grand opening of the new Lakefront Bike and Pedestrian Pocket Park, the eastern trailhead of the Hank Aaron State Trail.

The Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail are sponsoring the Lakefront’s Bike & Pedestrian Pocket Park, which will officially be opening for a Ribbon-Cutting on Sunday, May 3rd at 12PM.

“The opening of the Eastern Trailhead marks a turning point for Milwaukee’s mobility. It serves as the anchor for our regional network, providing the essential continuity that transforms a collection of trails into a unified urban highway for pedestrians. We are proud to bridge the gap and complete the circuit for every Milwaukeean who calls this trail home.” Robert Peschel, PE, Board President (FOHAST)

Following the brief ceremony, the Spring Ride is led with Ride Guides from MKE Rec, and is designed as a family-friendly and casual 12-mile “out-and-back” ride, the route follows a mostly flat course combining short sections of city streets with scenic off-road trail segments. The ride highlights many of Milwaukee’s iconic neighborhoods, parks, and riverfront landscapes.

Riders will depart from the new pocket park and travel through Lakeshore State Park, the Historic Third Ward, and Walker’s Point, continuing through the revitalized Menomonee River Valley. The route crosses the Menomonee River into Three Bridges Park, turns around near the Mitchell Park Domes, and returns along the trail, passing through the Harley-Davidson Museum campus before finishing back at the pocket park.

The event begins at 12:00 p.m. with a brief presentation commemorating the trail’s 25-year legacy, followed by light refreshments and the start of the ride.

The Spring Ride is free and open to riders of all ages and abilities.

Event Details

Date: Sunday, May 3, 2026

Time: 12:00 p.m. (brief presentation and ride start), return trip 2:00 p.m

Starting Location: Intersection of N Harbor Drive and E Clybourn Street, just west of Discovery World

Parking: Free on-street parking is available nearby. Paid parking is also available at the U.S. Bank Tower Garage.

This project was made possible through the generous support and collaborative investment of several key partners. We extend our deepest gratitude to our sponsors:

• Land Escape
• Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin
• Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation (in partnership with the City of Milwaukee)
• The Chris Kegel Foundation
• The Sigma Group
• We Energies Foundation
• Milwaukee County Parks
• Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail (FOHAST)

The Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail (FOHAST) is a nonprofit dedicated to sustaining and enhancing one of Milwaukee’s most vital urban corridors. Spanning 14 miles of paved path through the heart of the city, the Hank Aaron State Trail serves as a scenic bridge between Milwaukee’s diverse neighborhoods and premier cultural destinations—including Lakeshore State Park, the Menomonee River Valley, and the Mitchell Park Domes.

Serving more than 400,000 residents within a 15-minute ride, the Trail is more than a recreational path; it is a hub for community connection and sustainable transportation. FOHAST extends this impact through youth outreach—sponsoring annual Bike Adventure Camps for urban youth—and environmental stewardship, partnering with dedicated “Stew Crews” to maintain the Trail’s beauty year-round.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

Recent Press Releases by Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail

Registration Open for Hank Aaron State Trail 5K Run/Walk

May 19th, 2023 by Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail

The 23rd annual event will raise funds to support major trail initiatives dedicated to enhancement and sustainability.

Hank Aaron Left a Legacy Off the Field

Jan 22nd, 2021 by Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail

Hank Aaron State Trail will continue to connect the community and serve children

Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail to Unveil Two Sculptures on May 4

Apr 29th, 2019 by Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail

Sculptures a powerful reminder of history and the workers of the Milwaukee Road