Cobblestone Trail on Lake Michigan Bluff

Megan Foley — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 15:15:49 +0000

In 2018, Marek Landscaping, LLC installed a 5,730 square foot switchback trail at a bluff-side residence in Bayside, WI. The trail was constructed with reclaimed antique granite cobblestone from old Milwaukee roads set in a permeable base of crushed quartz. It features a retaining wall made from Black Locust that was harvested and milled on-site with custom designed geogrid reinforcement and built-in limestone overlooks. Custom made copper caps atop the Black Locust posts along the trail to add a decorative element to this rustic landscape while preventing the posts from splitting over the long-term.

Special consideration was taken to bluff dynamics and site ecology throughout the project to minimized site impact as much as possible during construction. Other improvements to the property, including invasive species management and supplemental native woody and herbaceous plantings. Our Stewardship team has been keeping the new native plantings happy and healthy through regular maintenance for the past several years.

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Milwaukee River Trail Design & Bluff/Riverbank Restoration Master Plan

Marek — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 02:53:29 +0000

The Village of Shorewood hired Marek Landscaping to design a trail system and bluff/riverbank restoration plan along the Milwaukee River. The project area consisted of a narrow floodplain abutted by steep slopes, was about ½ mile in length, and 19 acres in area. Tasks included assessing the hydrology and drainage, erosion, plant communities, and trail accessibility, connections, and use by the public. Meetings were held with stakeholders, Village staff, and the public for input. These efforts culminated into a plan that provided recommendations on trail alignment and connections, vegetation management, bluff and riverbank stabilization and erosion controls, trail maintenance, trail signage, permits, budgets, and funding opportunities. The vegetation management plan included recommended phased invasive plant removals, revegetation strategies, and ongoing management. Strategies for bluff and riverbank stabilization included the use of soft and hard armoring along with compost-based best management practices.

The post Milwaukee River Trail Design & Bluff/Riverbank Restoration Master Plan appeared first on Marek Landscaping.

Trail Archives | Marek Landscaping

Cobblestone Trail on Lake Michigan Bluff

Milwaukee River Trail Design & Bluff/Riverbank Restoration Master Plan