The Friends of the Hank Aaron State Trail, Menomonee Valley Partners, and Urban Ecology Center are teaming up to bring a new winter activity to Milwaukee to invite people to enjoy the best of winter in the heart of the city. No one would have come down to Three Bridges Park four years ago when it was an abandoned railyard, but it has quickly become a beloved Milwaukee destination with over 50,000 visits in 2016. We have had a lot of positive interest on Facebook and are looking forward to a successful winter activity. We hope you’ll join us!

The first ever Urban Candlelight Hike in Three Bridges Park will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2017 from 5:30-8:30pm. Hundreds will enjoy this unique opportunity to experience the best of winter in the heart of our city, enjoy many fun outdoor activities, and special indoor events to get them toasty warm.

Mayor Barrett says, “The Urban Candlelight Hike is inviting people to get outdoors and enjoy our Midwest winter in the award-winning Three Bridges Park. I’m happy to see people come together and enjoy this great community space all year long.”

Urban Candlelight Hike Details

• Free admission to the park to hike or snowshoe on two miles of candlelit trails
• A roaring campfire and free marshmallow roasting
• An all-you-can-eat pizza dinner buffet and drink specials for purchase
• Free tea tasting, hot chocolate, and churros
• Guided walks with bilingual guides
• An after-party with NEWaukee at Third Space Brewing
• Event will take place with or without snow

Glenna Holstein, Branch Manager with the Urban Ecology Center, values the opportunity to bring together a diverse group of people. “Three Bridges Park is an incredible space. It’s unique because of the way it is connected to the urban landscape; a connection that will be on full display during the upcoming Urban Candlelight Hike. It’s not uncommon to stand on one of the bridges in the park and hear on one side the sounds of a manufacturing facility while on the other side hear the persistent chattering of a kingfisher as it swoops to catch a fish in the river. Layer in the dimension of nighttime and candlelight and you’ve got a recipe for something you truly won’t experience anywhere else!”

Dan Adams, President of Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail, said, “The Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail are looking forward to the public’s exploration of this great trail during a different season and time of day than most users have experienced. I think people will be surprised at the beauty that is evident under the night sky in the middle of winter.”

Employees at Palermo’s Pizza are excited about the Candlelight Hike, according to Angelo Fallucca, chief operating officer and board member of Menomonee Valley Partners. “When Palermo’s moved to the Menomonee Valley in 2006, there wasn’t much development on the west end, but today the area has been transformed into a beautiful urban park that helps Valley businesses attract great talent. We love seeing so many people visit Three Bridges Park and the Hank Aaron State Trail all year long. We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors to warm up by our wood-fired pizza oven and enjoy great pizza in Pizzeria 3301.”

History of Three Bridges Park

Located in the heart of Milwaukee, along the Menomonee River between 27th and 37th Streets, Three Bridges Park was once part of a wild rice marsh, then a rail yard, and then a vacant site for decades. Following a large community effort over many years, the area was transformed and opened in 2013 as Three Bridges Park – a 24-acre park, outdoor science classroom for the Urban Ecology Center, and a part of the Hank Aaron State Trail. The park with its trails and bridges connect the surrounding neighborhoods to the Menomonee Valley. This natural area is quickly becoming a popular destination with over 50,000 visits in 2016. Visitors love that Three Bridges Park is a place you can escape the city without ever leaving it.

For more information, trail maps, or to volunteer, visit UrbanCandlelightHike.com.