WE Energies/MRK Trails
A bicycle ride on the WE Energies and MRK Trails through Oak Creek, Caledonia, and Racine is 9.2 miles long. This includes 1.8 miles on state and local roads. The WE Energies Trail is more scenic, traversing lands belonging to Wisconsin Energies Corporation at its Oak Creek power plant. The MRK Trail runs through a more urban landscape, near adjacent power lines and an active railway.
The surfaces of both trails are in good condition. The trails have screened limestone, which turns to paved asphalt at road intersections. Bike lanes are marked on the state highway and local roads. There are some small hills, as the WE Energies Trail meanders over rolling country and through grassy areas. The MRK Trail travels in a straight line and is quite level. There is no fee to use either trail.
Few trailheads are sited along the two paths. At the northern end of the WE Energies Trail, Haas Neighborhood Park serves as a trailhead. Limited trail parking is available at its southern end on 7 Mile Road. The MRK Trail has one small parking lot, at the trail’s intersection with 3 Mile Road.
The MRK Trail ends at Layard Avenue in Racine. There is no trailhead; parking is available nearby at a shopping center. A bike route on city streets takes cyclists to the shopping center. Trail-goers wanting to continue riding may head further south and west on city street bike routes, to Colonial Park and the start of the Root River Path.
In Oak Creek, Haas Neighborhood Park is a perfect place to begin a ride on the WE Energies Trail. The park has a parking lot, playground, picnic pavilion, athletic fields and courts. It does not have public restrooms. There is just one portable toilet located on the whole route of the WE Energies and MRK Trails.
To reach Haas Neighborhood Park by car from Interstate Highway 94, take exit 322 east and travel 4 miles on Wisconsin State Highway 100. Turn right (south) on Wisconsin State Highway 32 and drive 1.3 miles. Turn left (east) on Elm Road. The park is on the right (south) side of the road after 350 yards.
The trail begins on Elm Road about 300 yards west of the park. For a half mile it winds through rolling countryside before crossing a WE Energies service road. The same natural landscape continues for the remaining 1.5 miles. Along the way, the path crosses Rifle Range Road and another service entrance to the WE Energies Oak Creek power plant. As the trail comes to an end at 7 Mile Road, Caledonia’s water tower comes into view.
A small parking area is located on the cul-de-sac of 7 Mile Road. The bike route leads west on the road for 0.3 mile to Wisconsin State Highway 32. The route then turns left (south) onto the state highway. While a wide bike lane is present here, cyclists are advised to wear fluorescent clothing and use headlights and taillights for increased visibility.
After a half mile, cyclists may want to pull off and visit a historical marker honoring the U.S. 32nd Infantry Division. Composed of Army National Guard units from Wisconsin and Michigan, these soldiers fought in both World Wars. Along the way the division recieved several names, including “Red Arrow Division” and “Les Terribles.” Wisconsin State Highway 32, which runs 325 miles across the state, is named for the 32nd Infantry Division.
The route along the highway continues another half mile to 6 Mile Road. Bicyclists should use extreme caution to turn left (east). This intersection contains traffic lights, and 6 Mile Road has a bike lane. The route continues east in the bike lane for a half mile to the start of the MRK Trail. The trail then veers off from the road to the south.
The MRK Trail is named for the historic Milwaukee-Racine-Kenosha rapid transit line that once traveled this route. In 1897, the MRK became the nation’s first electric interurban railroad by connecting streetcar systems in Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha. The line belonged to The Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Company (TMER&L), which operated many electric railway lines throughout southeast Wisconsin. The system was a major means of transportation in this area until service ended in the late 1950s.
Today the route shows little of its history, except for two obscure concrete culverts which drain water under the path. Now part of Racine County’s trail system, the MRK journeys south next to power lines and the Union Pacific railway line. Despite being surrounded by trees and bushes, the trail gives an urban, industrial impression. The MRK Trail name never appears on signage, as Racine County uses standardized trail signs.
The MRK Trail runs 1.6 miles to the intersection of Wisconsin State Highway 32 (Douglas Avenue). Along the way, it crosses 5 Mile Road. Before crossing the busy state highway at a controlled intersection, trail-goers may want to follow Middle Road to Mocha Lisa Coffeehouse. Within view of the trail and housed in a late 19th century farmhouse, Mocha Lisa offers coffee drinks, smoothies, baked goods, and soups. A pleasant patio area is enjoyable in warm weather, and indoor seating is also available.
Returning to the MRK Trail, the route briefly travels next to the state highway before the path resumes to the right (south). The tree-lined path continues to travel in a straight line next to the railway. Before reaching 4 Mile Road half a mile after the highway, the trail crosses one of the historic culverts which is registered with the Wisconsin Historical Society. A half mile south of 4 Mile Road, it passes over the second historic culvert.
Obviously, it is one mile from 4 Mile Road to 3 Mile Road. Along the way, the trail runs by a large quarry, although it is not noticeable from the path. At 3 Mile Road, there is a small parking lot and portable toilet. The trail enters Racine at this intersection. Once inside the city, the trail passes a runway of Batten Field Airport, the country’s largest privately-owned international airport. Despite being close, it is difficult to see the runway from the path.
The path crosses South Street less than a mile after 3 Mile Road. Trail-goers looking to eat or indulge in ice cream may divert to Dairy Queen or other fast food restaurants. They are visible from the trail, and accessed from South Street. These are just some of Racine’s restaurants; area attractions and hotels provide trail-goers with a wide variety of offerings.
Historically, the land where Racine sits were once home to the Potawatomie Nation. French and British fur traders combed the area in the 17th and 18th centuries, and Yankees settlers first came in the mid-1800s. In 1834 Captain Gilbert Knapp founded the settlement of Port Gilbert, which changed to Racine in 1841 when the village was incorporated. Racine is French for “root,” after the river there. Racine incorporated as a city in 1848.
Returning to the MRK Trail, from South Street it is 0.6 mile to the end of the path at Layard Avenue. A trail sign, garbage can, and bench are found there, but no parking lot. Trail-goers may follow a route to the right (east) on Layard Avenue for 0.4 mile. Caution should be used when crossing the railroad tracks.
The route turns left (south) on Mt. Pleasant Street. A shopping center with large parking lot is located on the right (west) side of the street after 350 yards. This lot may serve as trail parking. Cyclists may want to continue south then west for 1.5 miles to Colonial Park and the start of the Root River Path.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
To access the parking lot at the shopping center by car from Interstate 94, take exit 329 east on County Highway K (Northwestern Avenue). Drive 7.3 miles to Rapids Drive. Wisconsin State Highway 38 joins the route along the way. Turn left (north) on Rapids Drive and proceed for 0.7 mile to the shopping center parking lot, across from Horlick High School.
The WE Energies and MRK Trails offer different experiences. The WE Energies Trail offers pleasant views of a natural landscape. The MRK Trail includes some of the same views, but in a more urban environment. A ride on both trails is still enjoyable and appealing.
Trail last ridden and documented in September, 2024.