A continuous pedestrian walkway along the Milwaukee River in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Milwaukee Riverwalk has linked the surrounding community in a profound manner. Featuring notable monuments as well as various attractions, the Milwaukee Riverwalk has fulfilled a vision related to connection and engagement in a way that serves the community on multiple levels.
Designed to Increase Public Access to the Milwaukee River
The Milwaukee Riverwalk System began in 1993 as a means to offer public access to the river. As a public-private partnership between riverfront property owners and the City of Milwaukee, the Riverwalk was enabled thanks to a vision that saw the city partner with private developers and business improvement districts. Their collective goal was to build a continuous system of riverwalks along the shores of the rivers to benefit communities across the entire region.
From north to south, the Milwaukee Riverwalk runs more than 20 blocks and ties together three important riverfront neighborhoods. Thanks to the Milwaukee Riverwalk, visitors can easily go from the Historic Third Ward to Downtown to Beerline B. The Milwaukee River is further unified by permanent and changing art exhibitions that create a unique, urban, outdoor gallery, further transforming the Milwaukee River.
These features have compelled attention and activity all across the Milwaukee Riverwalk, defining a notable cultural and economic impact that can be seen directly and indirectly all across the space.
RiverSculpture!, RiverSplash! and More
RiverSculpture! are public art displays found along the Milwaukee Riverwalk. Originally, new sculpture pieces would be unveiled at the opening of RiverSplash!, a three-day summer festival held annually along the Milwaukee River. These temporary and permanent pieces all along the Riverwalk have helped attract visitors and further connect it to the community.
In 1945, “Gertie the Duck” provided a welcome relief to a nation that had grown weary of the fight in World War II. Life-sized bronze statues of Gertie and her hatchlings that inspired Milwaukee and the nation are located in multiple spots along the Riverwalk. This popularity has enabled the ducks to essential become icons of the Riverwalk itself.
Additionally, the “Bronze Fonz” located along the Riverwalk has become one of the most popular attractions in the city. The walkways also feature 18 bronze medallions drawn by elementary school children, depicting how they see the Milwaukee River.
Various temporary pieces of art are also located throughout the Riverwalk. Installed at different times and locations throughout and across the river, the temporary sculptures on display represent national, regional and local artists. The sculptures are intended to be on loan for one year, but the artists or owners of the artworks have allowed for longer displays. A few are owned by the Milwaukee Riverwalk District, which allows these pieces to remain in place for longer.
A winner of the Urban Land Institute’s Global Award for Excellence, the Riverwalk is lined with bars and restaurants with riverfront patios. Home to special events like the free outdoor concert series River Rhythms, the Milwaukee Riverwalk has fulfilled a vision of engagement in terms of activities and things to do, highlighting the many different kinds of positive change that a landmark can enable.
Animating and Transforming Downtown Milwaukee
Open to the public 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and with access points located throughout the system, the Milwaukee Riverwalk is the result of an effort to provide surrounding communities with riverwalks and public programming that would animate the downtown space. The vision to do so has resulted in riverfront developments including housing, entertainment & dining venues that have provided a positive benefit for stakeholders and the entire city.
