Turtle Park Along the Milwaukee River
This site is dedicated to the memory of Emily Thornburg, whose adventurous spirit will never be forgotten.
Turtle Park, 2134 N. Riverboat Rd., is a hidden natural gem in the middle of the city. Today the River Revitalization Foundation maintains this space as a park for the public. Freight trains once rattled along the riverbank here, part of the Beerline Rail corridor, just downstream of the former North Avenue Dam. The dam was removed in 1997, the rail corridor converted into a multi-use trail. The park supports a prairie with native plants and features a public canoe and kayak launch called Kiwanis Landing.
Explore more with the Water Story MKE app, a citywide scavenger hunt where you discover Milwaukee's water stories hidden in plain sight.
Mission
Explore the grounds and walking trails to discover the history of the site and enjoy Ex Fabula UltraShort stories shared by real Milwaukee storytellers. To earn 15 bonus points, paddle out to hear three river stories.
“We got married on the banks of the Milwaukee River. I love him till the rivers run dry.”
Bonus Trivia
The mouth of a 12-foot-wide tunnel opens onto the Milwaukee River upstream from here on the east bank south of North Avenue. What was it once used for?
