Part 2, Build It and They Will Come
So what changes have taken place along Milwaukee’s rivers?
In the last 10 years there has been an amazing amount of development on the rivers, primarily along the banks of the Milwaukee River.
Above is view across the Milwaukee River near North Ave. This is just about as far upstream as most boats can travel against the current.
A little further downstream.
There is a new Milwaukee Urban Water Trail along this bank as well. Along this section of the trail there are several points of public access to the river including a floating dock where the Milwaukee Rowing Club and Marquette University launch their rowing shells.
A brewery offers seating and more dock space.
As you get closer to downtown you can see many old industrial buildings that once turned their backs on the river have been opened up and converted to condos and apartments. As part of the development the city has built walkways and docks.
The state of Wisconsin has created a new state park right where Milwaukee’s three rivers meet! The Lakeshore State Park is a wonderful addition. Upstream on the Milwaukee River there is talk of creating yet another park. This would occupy the location of the former Melanec’s Wheelhouse restaurant.
There are also proposals on the table for adding green space and park land to the shores of the Kinnikinnick River in conjunction with needed changes to the Hoan Bridge that spans the harbor entrance.
from HNTB Report
These are all exciting developments yet there are a few clouds on the horizon.
Fully reclaiming the waters of Milwaukee’s 3 rivers for public use would create a powerful and positive change . When a large number of people are able to enjoy the wonderful, relaxing and restorative benefits of recreation on the rivers they will understand the value of keeping the rivers clean, of creating public access and of maintaining this wonderful asset. The more people that enjoy the rivers the more people there will be that will find reason to advocate for the rivers and the more advocacy for the rivers the more opportunities will be opened for people to enjoy them. This will create a wonderful, positive feedback loop.
The clouds I mentioned however are the things that would stop this positive feedback loop, that would block ever greater public enjoyment of the rivers. Along with the development of riverside residential units there are new docks and slips being installed. There are limits to the number of boat slips that can be installed along a given stretch of river front. The Wisconsin DNR imposes regulatory limits and there are simple physical limitations. At the same time there is growing demand for boat slips along the river as more people move into the new condos and apartments. These two facts, limits to the number that can be built and high demand, create very high prices for the slips. High prices make it very hard for a lot of people to own or even rent a slip. As the demand for slips goes up the prices go even higher eventually eliminating all but the wealthiest of boat owners.
The Business Journal published a very interesting article about this back in June of 2004. In it Lynn Broaddhus, then executive director of Friends of Milwaukee’s Rivers, expressed concern “that the city and the state do not have a long-term plan for pier development along the Milwaukee River, which could lead to the river becoming a parking lot for boats.”
The rivers should be big enough to allow for a wide variety of activities, uses and recreational opportunities including but not limited to slips for expensive boats. With all of the people moving into new units along the rivers it would be worthwhile to encourage more than just the “parking lot for boats” option.
There is a growing interest in canoeing as well as kayaking on the rivers. The Milwaukee Rowing Club offers opportunities to row in their sleek rowing shells. These options may appeal to many people, however there are many more who may not feel comfortable in these sleek and somewhat unstable craft. I keep thinking of the pictures of the old days.
Wisconsin Historical Society
A picnic along the shore. The party easily navigating the river in a sturdy, seaworthy row boat, finding the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a summer’s afternoon.
What if people living along the river now, or anywhere nearby could realize that they too could enjoy the rivers as was once done. All that is really needed is easy access to a decent boat. True, much has changed since the time remembered by my old boss I called Mr. K in my earlier post. However, new parks are being built, public docks are going in, the rivers are fascinating and boating on them, …well, I’m sure many of you know the well worth quoting Water Rat in Kenneth Grahame’s classic “The Wind In The Willows” and remember his advice to Mole, “Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”
Here, take a look at this short, time lapse video taken on the Lake Express as it heads up river for it’s winter dock.
A ride up the river in winter. A trip through the harbor and up the Menomonee River through the heart of downtown and on into an industrial region, which, by the way, is gaining a new river trail, another opportunity for new parks.
The idea -that the introduction into Milwaukee of a decent, stable, seaworthy rowboat big enough to carry at least 3 adults, easily launched and easy to row may have a significant impact on protecting the rivers I love -hit me hard. And I’ve been thinking about it for some time.
Especially since I could build such boats.
Could it really be as simple as “build it and they will come”?
-Todd
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