Visiting Milwaukee? Looking for a day outdoors?
Visit the Urban Ecology Center in Riverside Park!

Some special things to do in and around the building are:

• Native Wisconsin Animal Room.
  Visit the Center’s painted and snapping turtles, snakes and bullfrogs. Each tank is
  labeled with the eco-zone it represents, such as Prairie, Oak Savannah, Wetland, etc.,all found in Riverside Park!
  
  
• River system tanks.
  These 16-ft.-long tanks contain a cross section of aquatic life found in the Milwaukee River.
  
  
• Stream slide.
  Slide down the river to Lake Michigan! Find the secret entrance to the slide, with its inviting river mural, on the north side of the building.
  
  
• Solar energy kiosk.
  This real time data for our solar panels are now on display thanks to this amazing gift to the Urban Ecology Center from our partner for solar power, We Energies. In addition to assisting us in installing the largest solar power station in the city, We Energies helped us create this new interactive exhibit. A large 42 inch flat screen monitor with touch screen capabilities introduces new visitors through pictures and words to our mission and teaches people about our solar power. The monitor sits on a beautifully crafted cart, allowing for flexible use of this engaging exhibit. In addition to We Energies, we thank Drew Szabo, Kevin Little, and Gary Cox for making this exciting new resource available to our visitors.
  
  
• Giant puzzle.
  Each piece, or 26-inch tile, represents approximately one square mile. When all 50 tiles are placed together you can see 50 square miles of Milwaukee! The puzzle matches perfectly the scale of the watershed of Southeastern Wisconsin which is painted on the Center’s first floor, making the puzzle easier to put together. It is just like being in an airplane, but without the expense! It is elegantly simple, yet remarkably captivating. Many thanks to volunteers Nancy Aten, Theresa Lins, Tom Schrader and Nancy Groethe for creating this exhibit, along with Fast Signs on Port Washington for discounting our printing.
  
  
• Crayfish touch tank.
  Search this round steel tank for the crayfish that live inside. How many creatures can you find?
  
  
• Camouflage Room.
  Bet you can’t find this “hidden” classroom.
  
  
• Observation Tower.
  Study the unique ecosystem found in the forest canopy from this 75-foot tower, plus get a bird’s-eye view of the 258 solar photovoltaic panels provided by We Energies. This 44-kilowatt system will represent the largest solar electricity system in Wisconsin!
  
  
• Library of Sustainability.
  Learn about the recycled and sustainable materials used in the Center and how you can use these materials in your home.

Some special things to do in and around Riverside Park:

• Oak Leaf Recreational Trail.
  Hike, bicycle, ski or snowshoe along the trail next to the Center. Center members may borrow skis, snowshoes and bicycles from our “lending library.”!
  
  
• Riverside Park Habitat Playgarden.
  In this fun play area, you can climb the Spider Web, play in the Woodland Dune sandbox, slide down the otter slides and look for the giant frog, explore the Glacial Features and have a picnic (if it’s raining, bring your picnic inside the Ecology Center).
  
  
• Riverside Park Natural Area.
  There’s a lot to do in this 15-acre natural area: search for birds along the river, look at animal tracks, enjoy the beautiful oak trees, borrow a field guide from the Center and learn to identify the many plants and animals found in the area.

Where We Are

Riverside Park

Directions to the Center at Riverside Park

Driving

From all points via I-43:

Exit I-43 at the Locust Street exit, go east (towards the Lake). After 1.5 miles, you will cross the bridge over the Milwaukee River, proceed to the traffic light at the corner of Oakland and Locust. Turn right heading south on Oakland. Drive three blocks to Park Place, turn right. Continue on Park Place for two blocks. The Urban Ecology Center is located at the end of the street on the right. Street parking is available on Park Place as well as on the side streets.

From Downtown

Take Water Street north from downtown. Continue on Water Street past Pleasant Street, follow Water Street as it turns to the right and heads up the hill to the traffic light. You are now on Brady Street. Go straight ahead (east) on Brady Street to the next traffic light at Humboldt Avenue. Turn left onto Humboldt. Continue on Humboldt to North Avenue. Turn right (east) on North Avenue. Continue on North across the bridge, turn left (north) at the next light which is Oakland Avenue. Continue on Oakland to Park Place. Turn left on Park Place. Continue on Park Place. The UEC is located at the end of the street on the right. Street parking is available on Park Place as well as on the side streets.

Bus

From Downtown/Marquette, take the #10 bus east along Wisconsin Avenue to Water Street. Take the #15 bus north on Oakland Avenue to Park Place (2600 block of Oakland). Walk west on Park Place for two blocks. The Urban Ecology Center will be on the right.

From points west, take the #22 or the #60 bus routes east to the Locust & Oakland bus stop. From that point, either transfer to the #15 bus going south to the Park Place bus stop, or walk three blocks south on Oakland Avenue to Park Place. Walk west on Park Place for two blocks. The Urban Ecology Center will be on the right.

From points north, take the #15 bus south to the Park Place bus stop (2600 block of Oakland Ave). Walk west on Park Place for two blocks. The Urban Ecology Center will be on the right.

Bicycle

The Urban Ecology Center is located on the Oak Leaf Recreational Trail. Take the trail from the south past North Avenue. You will see our Building on your right; it's the one with an observation tower. From the North take the trail past Locust Street and Riverside High School. Check out the following link for a map of the Oak Leaf Recreational Trail.

Washington Park

Urban Ecology Center at Washington Park is located in the Washington Pavilion (near the lagoon).

When looking at the map, please note that the Center is not located directly on the street. To find the Center just follow the driveway marked on the map by "A" (one block north of Roberts Street). Please park in the lot near the service yard and follow the path to the lagoon side of the building. Enter where you find our painted door.

Directions to the Center at Washington Park

Bus

From Downtown/Marquette/UWM, take the #30 bus west to Roberts Street. Cross 40th Street and walk one block north until you reach a parking lot. Follow the driveway past the service yard to the path and follow the path to the building. If the east door is locked, walk around to the lagoon side of the building and enter through the brightly painted door.

From points west, take the #57 bus east to North 40th Street. Walk one block south until you reach a driveway. Follow the driveway past the service yard to the path and follow the path to the building. Or take the #11 bus east to Vliet Street and North 40th Street. Walk 5 blocks north along 40th Street until you reach a driveway. Follow the driveway past the service yard to the path and follow the path to the building.

From points north, take the #27 bus south to Lisbon Avenue. Take the #57 bus west to North 40th Street. Walk one block south until you reach a driveway. Follow the driveway past the service yard to the path and follow the path to the building.

From points south, take the #35 bus north to Lisbon Avenue. Take the #57 bus west to North 40th Street. Walk one block south until you reach a driveway. Follow the driveway past the service yard to the path and follow the path to the building.

Biking

The Urban Ecology Center at Washington Park is not on theOak Leaff Recreational Trail, but its boardering streets do have bike lanes. One route you may consider is taking Brady along Walnut, which turns into Lisbon. Turn left onto 40th Street, and then right a block later into the parking lot. Follow the driveway past the service yard to the path and follow the path to the building. There are bike racks on the lagoon side of the building. Enter through the colorfully painted door on the lagoon side of the building. Or a bike route from the downtown/Marquette area would be to take Highland. Shortly after Highland curves north, take a right on Vliet Street and a quick left onto 40th Street. Take 40th Street 5 blocks north and turn left into the parking lot. Follow the driveway past the service yard to the path and follow the path to the building. There are bike racks on the lagoon side of the building. Enter through the colorfully painted door on the lagoon side of the building.

Check out the following link for a map of the Oak Leaf Recreational Trail for options from your location.