Harbor View Plaza — Attraction in Milwaukee

It’s been a few years since we visited Jones Island and the Great Lakes Water Institute. What a wonderful job UWM and partners did with this space. It appeared to have been done in 2019 and gave the public some access to the waterway here. A small tower gives a slightly better perspective of the area around, but the narrow viewing slots give an indication of what is wrong with things here.

Children were unsupervised and a constant stream of the landscaping rock was being thrown into the water as the mom did not care. Chalk had been used to draw genitalia throughout the area. Not a few, but many, in many colors. The left decorative gate, made from perhaps a 5x5 square of steel, showed distress where it was hit by a large vehicle and pushed intentionally to wreck the gateway. A security guard sat down the block in his truck by the railroad tracks.

The whole plaza is undergoing gentrification, and it’s an exciting process to watch. This area was well done, but I’m afraid it will not last long unless they can...

Kayakers beware! I am a seasoned kayaker. I have never had to unload my kayak and attempt to maneuver it through a dangerous maze. Fountains that are at ground level to avoid as well as 2’ boulders. So many trip hazards. Two of us were carrying in a kayak and had to get past a small tree and I I landed in a fountain injuring my leg significantly on a boulder. If I could post pictures I would. This plan was not well thought out. The easiest way to get you kayak in is to set on the north side ledge and make your way around this horrible pattern to get you and your kayak in safely. Or save yourself some horrible scenery and smells and load in at the Riverfront launching...

Excellent launch site for anyone who needs a little support getting into and out of your kayak. From the site you can paddle the Kinnickinnick, Menomonee and Milwaukee rivers, take a jaunt under the Hoan bridge, stop in at the Public Market or other restaurants with dockside seating. I watched a huge ship head out to the Great Lakes, passed a beaver lodge and heard the kits inside, witnessed herons, cormorants and bank swallows hunt and fish. And no...