Riverside Park

Getting around without a car is possible in Riverside Park

Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee are both within a mile, in Downer Woods and Northpoint. The two campuses are major hubs for students and professionals, and Riverside Park's proximity is attractive to commuters who prefer alternatives to cars. There are many ways to get around without driving:

• The Oak Leaf Trail is a multiuse path that goes under some city streets, so bikers don't have to stop and wait for traffic to cross.
• Bublr Bikes, Milwaukee's bike-sharing system, has docking stations in the neighborhood and bike lanes are on a few main streets.
• Tree-shaded sidewalks and ample crosswalks make for a pleasant walk to work or class.
• Milwaukee County Transit System buses stop on Locust Street, Oakland Avenue and North Avenue.

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Families are drawn to the neighborhood's sought-after schools

Not everyone who lives in the area is a student or recent graduate from UW-Milwaukee. "The demographics here, because we're far enough from the university, are a mix of young professionals, and then long-term tenants and families that have been here for generations," Schmidt says. "We have a lot of young kids, too."

Families are drawn to the area because it’s within walking distance of Maryland Avenue Montessori School in Murray Hill. Milwaukee has a school choice system, and certain public schools are harder to get into than others. "However, if you're in a walkable area, your chances of getting in are better," she says. "It's something a lot of people don't know about. And it's a very sought-after school." Riverside University High School, in the neighborhood, is another well-regarded public school.

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Riverside Park is both for athletes and Milwaukee River explorers

The neighborhood's namesake park, Riverside Park, has athletic courts and fields, but its natural area is the main attraction. Right along the Milwaukee River, the heavily wooded half of the park has a mix of paved and natural walking trails. Visitors can launch kayaks or canoes onto the river and bike along the Oak Leaf Trail. Milwaukee Rotary Centennial Arboretum is an extension of Riverside Park, where tall grass and wildflowers surround protected species of trees.

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The Urban Ecology Center brings nature and education

The Urban Ecology Center of Riverside Park is one of three locations in the Milwaukee Metro area that strives to accomplish its motto: "We connect people in cities to nature and each other." The center has classrooms, exhibits and rentable event space. There, visitors can grow plants under grow lights, compost their food waste and climb the three-story rock wall. "It started out as just a trailer, and now it has grown into this big, beautiful community building," Schmidt says. "They have a lot of school activities and a lot of community activities that are open to everyone, not just the neighborhood." Regular events include:

• Indoor game nights* Early morning guided birding sessions
• Aquatic explorations in the Milwaukee River
• Canoeing and kayaking trips
• Outdoor skill sessions for skills like fire and shelter building

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Diverse dining options in Riverside Park

Riverside Park has a few watering holes despite its small size. "The fun restaurants are Tess, a five-star restaurant, OG Pub & Grill, which used to be The Original, and Champions Pub, an Irish family pub that's been in the same family for decades," Schmidt says. The northeast corner of the neighborhood has a diverse selection of cuisine in restaurants that are usually full of college students late at night, grabbing a bite to eat after visiting local bars or music venues.

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