Hawthorn Glen is a 23-acre nature center that primarily serves as a field trip location on weekdays…read morefor 12,000 children annually. Natural features include steep bluffs, flood-plain hardwood forest, spring-fed wetland, and a restored prairie. Visitors to this urban nature center can explore five different habitats interconnected by a trail system. The public is welcome to utilize the facility and the well-marked ¾ mile self-guided nature trail in the evenings or on weekends (the lower trail is mostly blacktopped and ADA accessible). Many seasonal programs are offered on the weekends. Trails are designated for hiking only. Hikers are reminded to leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but memories, and watch for wildlife. Hawthorn Glen is home to deer, foxes, raccoons, opossum, rabbits, chipmunks, woodchucks, two species of hawks, many migratory birds, and songbirds of all kinds year-round. The website states, also, "Come visit our Nature Museum and see native animals of Wisconsin, including tree frogs, several species of turtles and our six foot bullsnake. It is open weekdays (4:00-5:00 pm) and weekends (11:00-11:45 am and 3:00-4:00 pm). Admission is FREE." Check out the Hawthorn Glenn YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru99rqELBcA

A lovely and unexpected sanctuary in the middle of the city. Located in Wauwatosa, Hawthorne and…read moreGlen is a perfect place for families, couples, or anybody who wants to go on a hike, have a picnic, or go into their little educational center. If you're just up for a short, beautiful hike, I recommend going here. You will not feel like you are in the middle of the city. It is beautiful, and we had an incredible hike! It would be a beautiful place to have a picnic, or bring your kids as they have children's playgrounds and the educational center. They even have goose ducks and a few animals that you can go look at.

Cute local park, on the Fox River. Clean, open, playground, shelter & bathrooms. It's small &…read moreeverything basic for an afternoon in the park or short walk. I was looking for trails to walk & the trail just went around the park. It's a nice neighborhood park. Note, after 11/15 bathrooms are closed & garbage cans are all gone; winterized.

Established in 1868, at the start of the magical Waukesha springs era, Bethesda Park sits right…read morealong side the Fox River. The river bank is low and the river easily accessible via canoe or kayak. It is a favorite of the fisherman amongst us. On the northeast end of the park, you'll find a single tennis court, and though a net is up, only rarely will you see it in use. Up hill from the river, road side, there is a picnic shelter and playground, which on the other hand is frequently in use by little ones, Mom and/or Dad close at hand. Dog lovers can rejoice, your dogs are welcome here, though must be leashed. Owners are in fact frequently seen walking the grounds with their fury friends or having a game of catch. Nature enthusiast will find the trees truly grand and mystical. If you come at the right time, you might even be able to catch a glimpse of the resident white squirrel playing in the branches. Best to come and experience for yourself. Lots to see and explore. Take your time and open yourself up to a very unique experience. Don't forget to look beyond the surface, exercise your imagination and all your senses. A lot of history here. Enjoy.

Nathanael Greene Park or just "Greene Park" as it's known is a nice park in St. Francis right on…read morethe Cudahy border that doesn't appear to be the prettiest park in the MKE County Parks system, but it has a lot going on. There is a paved path all around the park for a nice hike or run, Three baseball fields, basketball and tennis courts, a small playground and water pad for the littles, there's ample green space, and a wooded area that features a Forked Aster Trail. The robins were really having a "field day" recently in the spring, and I spotted a few migrating birds, if you're a birder. Not a bad park on the St. Francis/Cudahy border.

Indulge me for a min while I talk Milwaukee history: Once…read moreupon a time, maybe 10+ plus years back, the Park East freeway ran from the west exit of the East point parking lot to I-43. Myself and many others got our coffee and were scooped up and whisked on to our morning commute by a huge double decker freeway that rose up over what is now the Aloft and that one lonely Ace hardware. (C'mon, MKE, its been over a decade.) What even I didn't know until recently was that for 20+ years before, from 1970 to 1990 the land from east point to the lake, between lyon and ogden was completely razed of homes/buildings and sat vacant for 2 decades. (This is why if you walk down lyon st. one side is cute Victorian houses and the other side is all new apartments.) The plan was to continue the freeway right through the lower east side, to the lake where it would cut through veterans park and meet the hoan bridge & 794. (This may also explain the one oddly placed shell gas station at the end of farwell.) All I can say to all this is how *^/@ed up would the lower east side, the lakefront, (& quite frankly, my home) be if this monstrous freeway had been constructed? Instead of the lagoon at veterans park and the stairs at ogden it would have been all concrete pillars and exhaust fumes. So, in closing there's nothing particularly special to me about this little park/square/green space. But its nice and I'm very glad history was written the way it was and this park is therefore actually able to exist.

I love my "park across the street". I'm not sure what crawled up Stephen's pant leg, but this park…read moreis nice for taking my puppy out to do his business, sitting and people watching, and whatever else you like to do in a park. It is really like a little oasis on the busy eastside. AND, as Sam C points out, what a great history and tradition!

Nixon Park is what small-town living is all about. The local families appreciate all it offers…read moreover 14.5 acres: a huge playground, splash pad, picnic tables, outdoor music, snack bar (open at times), stage entertainment, tennis courts, and this is just the start! A handicapped-accessible pathway invites everyone in. We watched some young boys fishing and they caught 23" northern pikes- repeatedly! There is lots of room for kids to run and play, traffic is far away, and there are wonderful events regularly scheduled throughout the seasons. We just visited the Healing Wall, and have also enjoyed several stage programs. All free! Whether you have young children or are empty nesters, this park is peaceful and fun for all ages. Dogs are welcome also. After having fun at the park grab dinner down the street; there are many restaurants to choose from. Hartland is a small town that offers lots for everyone to enjoy!

This is a nice little unique park that Hartland has at the heart of its downtown center, and every…read moreresident can find something to do here that will allow them to have both relaxing summer evenings or chilly but fun winter nights. The layout is simple--there's a stage and pavilion for bands, movie nights, performances, etc., a baseball diamond, some large open fields/areas, a space for a beer garden during the warmer months, and a playground and picnic pavilion. An ice rink is also installed during the winter months, so if you have your own ice skates or want to pay a few bucks to rent a pair, head down here for some fun night-skating under the bright lights. I've personally spent time at the beer garden in the summer, which is run by Pat Endter, the owner of nearby Endter's Sports Grill, and it's a great little treat to have for the area--the staff is always super nice, the beer is always ice cold, and the selection is great throughout the different months it's open. There are more than enough umbrella-covered picnic tables to accommodate a large crowd, and the fact that we can bring our dog with us to have a beer outside is awesome. The pavilion/stage is also a unique draw for the park--I've seen movies, comedy shows, and bands perform on the stage there, and the events are always free for the public. There have also been instances of major sports games shown on the inflatable projector screen the Village of Hartland owns and uses at the park, and this allows for a cool sort of community camaraderie when the weather is warm enough to allow for such activities, especially with the food and beer from the beer garden. Probably the coolest part of the park though is the mere fact that it's on the Ice Age Trail, one of Wisconsin's big claims-to-fame. For those who don't know, the Ice Age Trail is one of eleven National Scenic Trails, and it runs solely through the state of Wisconsin, meaning it's locally maintained and managed for the most part. There are only a few municipalities throughout the state of Wisconsin who can say that the Ice Age Trail runs through the heart of their communities, and the fact that this park features a segment of the IAT itself is pretty cool and a fact to brag about to neighboring communities.

You will see a lot of families since there is a small playground and a splash pad. There is a…read morepavilion for events, meetings or any social activity. The park is pretty safe. It connects to the Beerline Trail. This trail is absolutely gorgeous. It runs along the Milwaukee River, so there is a lot of photo ops. Oh! It's really lovely. It's only 3 point something miles, but it connects to the Oak Leaf Trail, a much longer trail. Overall, 5 stars. The Beerline Trail is awesome!

Gordon Park isn't all that big, but I am delighted it has been preserved. There are interesting…read morestone foundations and walls on the east end of the park that just beg for an explanation, including one circle that begs for rituals. When I visit with my nephews and niece, we imagine Druids feeling at home. Of course, in pleasant weather we have actually seen folks LARPing in medieval gear as if to prove us right. The splash pad is silent in fall and winter, but the playground remains active on sunny days. Off street parking is ample and soccer games are fun to watch, even if you don't have skin in the game for either side. Maybe Gordon Park isn't a big one or a famous one in the County's excellent park system, but it is so accessible -- you can just tumble out into Riverwest and Harambee neighborhoods from there.

Mill pond park…read more Beautiful waterfall and dam. Right here near Menomonee Falls which is 25 min from Milwaukee. Park on the bridge and take in the beauty. History: Mill Pond was created when the Menomonee River was dammed to supply water power for a mill. The mill has long been removed, but the pond, dam, and spillway still exist at the south end of Mill Pond park. Highly recommended

This is a small park / trail that runs through Menomonee Falls. There's a small dam with a little…read morewaterfall along with a covered gazebo. It's a nice place to walk around and enjoy the small town shops nearby.

Lime Kiln Park - A Hidden Gem in Menomonee Falls…read more We took a hike through Lime Kiln Park today and absolutely loved it! Tucked away in Menomonee Falls, this park feels like a peaceful little escape with just the right mix of nature, history, and fresh air. We explored both the upper and lower falls, and the views did not disappoint--especially with the sound of the rushing water and all the lush greenery around us. The trails are paved and easy to follow, which made our walk feel more like a relaxing stroll than a workout. There's something really cool about walking past the historic lime kilns--like you've stepped back in time for a moment. Between the rock formations, bridges, and little scenic spots to pause and take it all in, we found ourselves stopping often just to appreciate the beauty around us. It's the kind of place where you can go for a walk, clear your head, or bring the family for a peaceful afternoon. We even saw a few people playing disc golf and lots of birds hanging out near the water. If you haven't been yet, Lime Kiln Park is totally worth the visit. Bring your walking shoes, your camera, and a little curiosity--you'll leave refreshed and maybe even a bit inspired.

Very beautiful path way along a river, also a historical landmark in Menomonee Falls... beautiful…read morewalkway through down but is the feel of being in the country... the sound of the stream is so relaxing... right smack dab in the middle of town but yet hidden to the point I've been around the areas for many years and just recently found this amazing place