Kuumba Art Park
Overview
The Beerline Trail is a former rail line turned recreational trail, spanning 4.2 miles from Milwaukee's breweries to Capitol Drive. The historic rail line transported grain and other beer making supplies to the breweries, and finished product out. Major Milwaukee brewing companies such as Schlitz, Blatz and Pabst all utilized this rail line. Today the trail is in another transformational stage as Riverworks Development Corporation (RDC) and partners work to expand the new Kuumba Art Park on the Beerline Trail, breaking down barriers between the Harambee and Riverwest neighborhoods, and activating the space between Capitol and Burleigh.
The Beerline Trail is a catalyst for economic prosperity, workforce development, health and creativity. Thanks to community input and design work by professional partners, Kuumba Art Park will feature a plaza and playground, a permanent home for the community farmers market, a bike plaza and fitness area, and a grilling and picnic area, guided by a "creative placekeeping" approach that puts current residents at the center. With organizational and community partners, the Beerline Trail will become a premier destination in the city of Milwaukee.
Mission To sustain and enrich the lives of people in Harambee and Riverwest by promoting health, well-being and prosperity through increased circulation of resources, voices, ideas, labor and creativity.
Current Things to Do
Start your walk at the north end of the trail, at the Capital Drive bridge, and head south through the future park space. Along the way, you'll pass six large murals, already completed and brightening the path. As you near the south end of the park, the Connector Building comes into view, the first two of four murals decorate its exterior.
Once a dilapidated, contaminated mechanic shop, the Connector Building has been fully restored and is now home to Kuumba Juice and Coffee, along with a community room and patio. Step onto the patio and you'll catch the remaining two murals. The space hosts community events throughout the year, and the community room itself can be booked for free. It's not a bar; it's a family-friendly gathering spot, open to everyone. Inside of the community room, informational boards line the walls, tracing the trail's history and its journey to what it is today.
A year after the Connector Building was completed, work wrapped on Julia's Corner, a small park just across the street. It features seating, sculptural elements, and the Harambee Watermarker — a fitting coda to the walk south.
Future Things to Do
Kuumba Art Park on the Beerline Trail will include amenities such as a plaza and playground with rolling picnic tables, a permanent home for the community farmers market, a bike plaza and fitness area with self-activated workout equipment and bike repair tools, and a "chill and grill" area with grills and picnic tables set among a landscaped meadow. The park will also feature games like chess and bags, native plantings and gardens, and community-centered art installations. This park will be a world-class cultural destination for all.
Richards St and the Connector Building
Captiol Dr
Community and Health
The park will be a community safe space with benches and tables for gathering, recreation and connection with neighbors and nature in an area lacking green space
Adjacent to the park, the Community Farmers Market will find a new permanent home with vendor stalls, indoor amenities, and a patio that will offer more seating and other interactive additions to the park.
Through speaking with the community, we heard a lot of requests for all-ages wellness amenities. These amenities will include a permanent fitness circuit, bicycle repair, and more.
Park and Gathering Areas
Community Farmers Market
Wellness Amenities
Recreation and Connecton
The playground in Kuumba Art Park is being built so that kids of all ages will be able to enjoy the park. North of the playground there will be additional swings for all ages, as well as outdoor recreation infrastructure
The park will have multiple walking and biking trails, allowing for multi-modal use of the trail, and ensuring safety of all commuters in the park.
Kuumba Art Park will be the heart of the Beerline Trail, and will connect the communities close to home. The City and County of Milwaukee are working on multiple extensions, which will connect the Beerline to the 20th Street Corridor, the Powerline Trail, and will even extend into downtown
Playground and all ages recreation
Separate Walking and Biking Trails
Neighborhood Connection
Trail Programming & Facilities:
Carrying out programming that fosters collaboration with residents, organizations, artists and youth in Harambee and Riverwest will help build community leadership and asset building throughout the neighborhood.
The Capital Campaign is committed to raising a $1 Million maintenance endowment, ensuring the park will be able to be landscaped, repaired, and always in its best shape for the community.
Installing trail lighting within the linear park is a critical priority to ensure that people feel safe and comfortable using the trail for transportation and recreation.