New Berlin Trail
The New Berlin Recreation Trail is a commuter trail in Waukesha County, running straight west to east from Waukesha to West Allis. The paved trail is 8.4 miles long and travels across New Berlin. The path is not overly scenic, with power lines to the north and an active rail line to the south. Nonetheless, forests, ponds, and marshes offer a pleasing view.
The trail follows the old interurban railway route of the Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Company. In 1898, the railway company launched trolley service west toward Waukesha. The line was later taken over by the Milwaukee Rapid Transit and Speedrail Company, and shut down in 1951. All that remained was the corridor for utilities.
Efforts to construct a bike trail along this corridor began in the 1970s. Plans called for a recreational path to be built along the high-voltage route of the Wisconsin Electric power company, which also paralleled railroad tracks. Construction began in 1983, and the trail opened the next year. The entire length was paved in 2006, and a new trail section was recently added in Waukesha. The 10-foot wide path is flat and in excellent condition.
Today, the New Berlin Trail is part of a trail system enabling bicyclists to ride between Milwaukee and Cottage Grove (near Madison). In Waukesha, cyclists travel a short distance on city streets from the Glacial Drumlin State Trail to reach the New Berlin Trail. In West Allis, the trail intersects the Oak Leaf Trail, and continues east for a short distance as the West Allis Cross Town Connector Trail.
While biking this trail, cyclists may happen to meet “Barney the Biking Bird.” Barney is a Yellow-Naped Amazon Parrot who rides in a cage atop his owner’s bicycle. They ride the trail about 100 times annually, and are a popular attraction for trail-goers.
The New Berlin Trail begins in Waukesha. A Carroll University parking lot named the 141 Cook Street Lot serves as a good weekend trailhead. It is located on Barstow Street. By car from Interstate Highway 94, take exit 295 south on County Highway F (Redford Boulevard). Drive 2.5 miles. Redford Blvd. turns slightly right and becomes North Street. Turn left on Barstow Street and go 0.7 miles to the parking lot entrance on the left (east).
There are no trailhead facilities at this parking lot. For an alternate trailhead, cyclists may want to connect from the E.B Shurts building, which is a trailhead for the Glacial Drumlin State Trail and the Fox River Trail. This building has water and restrooms. From the E.B Shurts Building on College Avenue, bike west 0.7 mile. Turn left (north) on Barstow Street for 0.3 mile to the parking lot and start the New Berlin Trail.
A moderately-sized city, Waukesha has plenty of options for visiting cyclists. Hotels are available, and Waukesha’s historic downtown on the scenic Fox River has shopping and dining. One popular downtown place to eat is The Rochester Deli, known for sandwiches (especially Reubens) and baked goods (especially lemon bars). Another local option, John’s Drive-In has been in business since 1937. It features home-made root beer and ice cream floats alongside hot dogs, burgers, fries, and malts.
In 1834, European Americans began settling in Waukesha, many coming from New England and Wales. The area was incorporated as the town of Prairieville in 1846, with a name change to Waukesha in 1847. Waukesha became a village in 1852 and a city in 1896. Its name comes from two sources. The Ojibwe word Waagoshag is the plural form of “fox,” and Wau-tsha was a local Potawatomie leader at the time of European settlement in the area.
At the Waukesha start of the New Berlin Trail, the path travels east from Barstow Street through neighborhoods. It crosses East Avenue, Barney Street, and Hartwell Avenue. Cyclists should exercise caution when crossing all the streets, especially busy Broadway. The path continues through Waukesha, crossing Lake Street, Oakland Avenue, and Greenfield Avenue. After nearly a mile, it crosses Frederick Street.
For the next half mile, the trail passes factories and warehouses. It then crosses the four lanes of U.S. Highway 18, also called Les Paul Parkway after the famous guitar player and designer. The highway has a high traffic volume, and no flashing crosswalk lights. Cyclists should carefully plan their crossing and use utmost caution. Wearing bright fluorescent clothing and using flashing lights are recommended.
After crossing the highway, the scenery turns rural, with forests and marshes lining the route. However, for the entire ride the view includes large high voltage power line towers to the north, and railroad tracks to the south. After 0.7 mile, the trail crosses Springdale Road and enters New Berlin. A simple trailhead is found here, with only a parking lot.
In 1836, European American settlers arrived in what is now New Berlin. The area was part of the town of Muskego before separating in 1839 into the town of Mentor. In 1840, it was renamed New Berlin, after a town in New York where early settlers first lived. By the 1940s, the predominantly rural area saw rapid growth with migration from Milwaukee. In 1959, the town of New Berlin became the city of New Berlin.
Back on the trail, the next 3 miles cut through rural countryside. There are ponds on both sides of the trail, serving as rest stops for geese during their annual migrations. The trail also travels by a large sod farm. It then crosses Calhoun Road, which also can be very busy. A bike shop sits at the corner of Calhoun Road, near several restaurants.
Just over a half mile after Calhoun Road, a spur trail to the left (north) leads to Buena Park. The park has restrooms, water, picnic shelters, grills, a playground, athletic fields, ball diamonds and tennis courts. Street parking is available. The park is reached by car from Wisconsin State Highway 59 (Greenfield Avenue) in New Berlin by turning south onto Coachlight Drive and driving 0.5 mile.
The trail next crosses Moorland Road, another busy road with high-volume traffic that requires caution and attention. Over the next 2 miles, the landscape becomes more suburban and trail traffic increases. A spur trail to the left (north) juts off to Gatewood Park. On Kostner Lane, the park has a small shelter, playground, athletic fields, ball diamond, basketball court, and fishing pond.
The junction with Sunny Slope Road has another simple trailhead with a parking area. However, park benches are located along the entire trail. From Sunny Slope Road it is one mile to 124th Street. A spur trail leads down to street level, while the New Berlin Trail crosses on a bridge over the road to enter Milwaukee County and the city of West Allis.
The New Berlin Trail continues another 0.2 mile. At this location, a spur trail leads off alongside Greenfield Park Golf Course to join a primary section of the Oak Leaf Trail. Cyclists wanting to venture to downtown Milwaukee should turn left (north) on the Oak Leaf Trail. It connects with the Hank Aaron State Trail that runs east toward Milwaukee. The New Berlin Trail continues eastward, but as the West Allis Cross Town Connector Trail. It travels nearly another mile before ending at 108th Street.
At the junction of the New Berlin and Oak Leaf Trails, cyclists may go right (south) on the Oak Leaf Trail to reach a potential trailhead. It passes under the main trail and railroad tracks, emerging in beautiful Greenfield Park. The park is large and well-equipped. It has several parking lots and shelters, restrooms, playgrounds, ball diamonds, volleyball courts, walking trails and a golf course. The Oak Leaf Trail travels throughout the park, passing by numerous facilities including the Cool Waters Aquatic Park and a scenic pond.
To reach Greenfield Park by car from Interstate Highway 894 in West Allis, take exit 1D west on Wisconsin State Highway 59 (Greenfield Avenue). Drive one mile and turn left (south) on 116th Street. The park entrance is 0.6 mile south on the right (west) side of the street.
There is no fee to use the New Berlin Trail. Rules of trail etiquette are posted and should be followed. Because the trail sees heavy use, especially on weekends and in the eastern section, cyclists are asked to ride on the right side and announce when passing on the left.
West Allis takes its name from Edward P. Allis, whose company was a large manufacturing firm in the late 19th century. In 1901, the Allis company became Allis-Chalmers, and in 1902 a western Allis manufacturing plant was built. The area, known as West Allis after the plant, incorporated first as a village and became a city in 1906.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
There are many places for visiting trail-goers to stay and eat in West Allis, especially near Greenfield Park. A popular ice cream place is Lee’s Dairy Treat. This local stand has been in operation since 1971. They offer soft serve ice cream, sundaes, floats, shakes, and malts. Additionally, their menu includes fast food items, such as burgers, hotdogs, and fries.
Trail last ridden and documented in October, 2022.