Starkweather Creek Path
Starkweather Creek Path is in Madison. The 3-mile trail follows much of Starkweather Creek as it flows south to Lake Monona. The surface is paved and in very good condition. The route is lighted, and two overpasses over busy highways keep cyclists safe. The path mainly serves as a commuter trail on the city’s northeast side, passing through the neighborhoods of Starkweather, Worthington Park, Eken Park, and Carpenter-Ridgeway.
Starkweather Creek Path branches off Capital City State Trail near Goodman Community Center. Parking is available there at 214 Waubesa Street. From U.S. Highway 151 (E. Washington Avenue), go east on Milwaukee Street. Drive 0.2 mile and turn right (south) on Waubesa Street. Drive 0.3 mile to the Goodman Community Center’s parking lot. It is also be reached by exiting onto Milwaukee Street from U.S. Highway 51 (Stoughton Road) and driving 1.4 miles west. Turn left (south) onto Waubesa Street and drive to the parking lot.
To reach Starkweather Creek Path from the community center, follow the Capital City State Trail northeast for a tenth of a mile. Starkweather Creek Path branches off to the left (north) from the Capital City State Trail.
Caution should be exercised as the trail then crosses over two sets of active railroad tracks. It is just 375 feet north to St. Paul Avenue, where the route turns right (east) and follows the street around the corner to the left (north). After 450 feet of biking on St. Paul Avenue, the trail resumes on the right (east).
The path makes its way through the 3 acres of Dixon Open Space. During summer months, brilliant wildflowers grow across the meadow. A small creek runs adjacent to the trail, flowing into Starkweather Creek near Milwaukee Street. At that intersection, crossing signals are available. It is recommended they be employed before crossing the street.
After Milwaukee Street, the path follows Starkweather Creek upstream. Wildflowers grow along the creek bank, creating a beautiful pocket of nature tucked into the midst of the city. A kayak/canoe launch site is located along the route. The trail runs adjacent to Starkweather Creek for 0.3 mile. For a small distance, it follows Clyde Gallagher Avenue.
About a half mile from the trail’s start, it crosses Starkweather Creek and Darbo Drive. It then makes its way up a circular ramp to an overpass spanning U.S. Highway 151 (E. Washington Street). After descending the ramp on the other side of the highway, the trail continues north next to Starkweather Creek.
After 0.3 mile, the trail passes Washington Manor Park and climbs another circular ramp to pass over Wisconsin State Highway 30 (Aberg Avenue). After descending the other side, the trail branches off in two directions.
One path goes to the left (west). It travels between the highway and Bridges Golf Course for 0.3 mile. The trail crosses Aberg Avenue at a very busy intersection with Shopko Drive. Continuing west along the south side of the highway, it finally terminates at the junction of Wisconsin State Highways 30 and 113 (Aberg Avenue and Packers Avenue). It ends by the East Madison Little League baseball fields, a half mile from where the trail splits.
The other path heads straight north along the creek through a scenic forest. It crosses Starkweather Creek and passes Carpenter-Ridgeway Park. Interpretive markers by the park and other locations convey information about Starkweather Creek The creek covers nearly 24 miles, and its watershed is the largest in Madison. Neighborhoods along the creek have attempted to preserve its natural habitat by planting wildflowers and trees along the banks.
About a half mile north from the Aberg Avenue ramp, the trail turns to the right (east) and emerges from the forest. The remnants of an old trail runs north through the brush at this curve. The main trail heads east past Robin Roberts Baseball Field, the home of Madison College’s baseball team.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
For the last half mile, the trail goes northeast past a parking lot and through a forest. A sculpture garden appears in the forest to the east. The path ends at Anderson Drive, by Madison College. The Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Sports Complex is nearby and serves as a trailhead. To reach its parking lot from the trail, turn left (west) and bike alongside Anderson Drive for a short distance. By car, the sports complex is reached by turning west onto Anderson Drive from U.S. Highway 51 (Stoughton Road), and driving a half mile.
Trail last ridden and documented in July, 2021.