Milwaukee River Canoe Launch

The River Revitalization Foundation is in the process of transforming a former, 3 acre commercial property into the gateway park and trailhead for the Milwaukee River Greenway (about 500 acres of river and primary environmental corridor in the heart of Milwaukee). This project focused on rehabilitating a degraded boat ramp into a natural stone launch for the Milwaukee River and was funded through private and public grants and material donations. Marek Landscaping led the design and construction phases including erosion controls, removing and regrading the current concrete launch and gravel ramp path, and placing limestone outcropping block steps to form the canoe launch, enabling paddlers to launch boats at various water elevations. Temporary erosion control measures included a turbidity barrier during excavation into the riverbank and Filtrexx silt soxx. Permanent erosion control and biological stabilization techniques included natural fieldstone boulders at the bank edge, biodegradable fabric encapsulated soil lifts planted with native shrubs, perennials plugs, turf seed, and native seeding of disturbed riparian soil areas.