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Hank Aaron State Trail extends its run

Posted by Tom Held of the Journal Sentinel on Aug. 11, 2011

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State officials have set Oct. 15 as the finish date for a gravel extension of the Hank Aaron State Trail, giving trail users something extra to celebrate at the annual 5K Run/Walk on Saturday.

Money raised at the charity event will be used by the Friends of the Hank Aaron State Trail to refurbish and install a historic streetcar shelter at the new western trailhead in Underwood Parkway, just south of Blue Mound Road.

Work to extend the trail from N. 94th Place to the parkway and the Oak Leaf Trail will start in September, according to the State Department of Transportation. That portion of the bike and pedestrian path will be covered in crushed limestone, then paved after the reconstruction of the roads and ramps in the Zoo Interchange is completed in 2018.

The Oak Leaf Trail passes under the rail corridor to be used for the Hank Aaron extension. Photo by Tom Held

Trail users and managers have pushed the DOT to extend the pathway to the logical connection with the Oak Leaf Trail, and provide a route from the Milwaukee lakefront to the edge of Madison.

The Hank Aaron Run on Saturday will give runners and walkers an opportunity to enjoy the progress made on the path in recent years.

Like the trail, the run has grown.

More than 1,500 participated last year, and organizers expect the turnout to best that number on Saturday.

Registration will be open from 7 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., at the start area near the Klement's Sausage Haus in the Miller Park parking lot. The entry fee is $25 on race day.

In honor of Hank Aaron's #44, every 44th finisher will win a prize. Check this site for more details.

23 Comments for "Hank Aaron State Trail extends its run"

  1. junkied, so Scott Walker was going to take all the money away but due to pressure he did not. What is your point? So, ultimately he did the right thing, correct?
    It's so funny to hear you guys pick everything apart in hopes of making someone look bad.
    Wisconsin is finally Open for Business! And our Parks and Recreation are thriving.

    subtleT Aug 11, 2011 3:46 PM

  2. Melissa Cook has directed the Aaron Trail for as long as any of us can remember, and has worked tirelessly through the years as every planned phase of the trail became a reality. The biking community and SE WI families who use this recreation trail owe her a sincere 'thank you.' She's made good on every one of her promises. I look forward to using the new extension as soon as it's complete for some great fall biking!

    BRedenz Aug 11, 2011 4:15 PM

  3. marchingband - my thanks for adding that detail about the new routing under Blue Mound. As you noted, eliminating that street crossing will make the Oak Leaf a better ride.

    T. Held Aug 11, 2011 5:01 PM

  4. Thank you everyone for your comments and help.

    Raddmann Aug 11, 2011 10:22 PM

  5. Now its crushed stone and broken glass. We rode down it the other day and my friend got a flat. Why do idiots have to break glass on the path.
    lemme guess underaged drinkers acting like idiots..

    BVModerate Aug 12, 2011 10:27 AM

  6. This is great news! I've been riding this stretch to and from work and look forward to a smoother ride. Too bad it always seems like bike trail work is done in the fall rather than spring so we can use the new trail all summer.

    Johnfe Aug 13, 2011 6:36 PM

  7. One more comment for WisRapids or for anyone else still reading this story and is interested: there are numerous artifacts from Milwaukee's streetcar and interurban days at the East Troy Trolley Museum.

    Raddmann Aug 15, 2011 11:29 AM

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