Lake Park Ravine Road Bridge Successfully Reopened
MILWAUKEE – On Tuesday, November 15, the Milwaukee County Parks Department, in partnership with Supervisor Sheldon A. Wasserman, County Executive David Crowley, and the Lake Park Friends group held a reopening ceremony for Lake Park Ravine Road Bridge. Supervisor Wasserman, Parks Director Guy Smith, and Executive Crowley released the following statements.
“Preserving such an important cultural landmark for future generations to use and enjoy would not have been possible without the hard work and financial contributions of Milwaukee County taxpayers and Lake Park Friends,” said Supervisor Wasserman. “I want to single out Lake Park Friends for the dedication and work they put into this project from the very beginning.”
“The project would not have been possible first and foremost without the dedicated Milwaukee Parks staff and A&E teams,” said Parks Director Guy Smith. “Our thanks go out to the Wisconsin DOT for the grant, and Lake Park Friends for their $300,000 maintenance fund. It is exciting to have the Lake Park Ravine Road Bridge open as a connector for all park users who enjoy Lake Park.”
“None of this would be possible without the hard work and of the Parks Department, Lake Park Friends, Sup. Sheldon Wasserman and the rest of the County Board committing themselves to seeing this project through. Lake Park is one of the crown jewels of the County Parks system and I’m thrilled to re-open this portion of the park to be enjoyed by all of our residents.,” said County Executive David Crowley. “I’m a believer that parks in Milwaukee County, and across our state and nation, are the beating heart of our communities. Reopening this section of Lake Park gives residents more options to engage with the outdoors and foster their physical and mental well-being.”
Ravine Road was closed in 2014 as was the bridge itself, after inspectors discovered cracks in the concrete and soil erosion around the bridge’s supports.
A resolution was offered by Supervisor Wasserman in 2021 which authorized and directed a transfer of $1,000,000 from the Milwaukee County Board’s contingency fund to the Lake Park Ravine Bridge for the purposes of contracting with a vendor for construction on the bridge. It passed unanimously.
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.
Huge thanks to all who made the repair and restoration of this beautiful bridge possible! Thank you so much!!! June K
Yes, I am thrilled that bridge is complete and is beautiful. Now please open the road (per the original design)
As JMcD says, the next project must be the road. Please, folks, put it at the top of the list and reopen this drive.
I agree with JMcD, The road should be reopened in it’s original design, as a narrow drive accessible to pedestrians and not a car-only shortcut for commuters.