Water Scavenger Hunt

September 25 - October 3

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Fund for Lake Michigan, we invite you to participate in the first ever annual Doors Open Water Scavenger Hunt!

Water defines Milwaukee, whether it’s vast Lake Michigan to your east, the rivers and tributaries that feed it, landscaping features designed to absorb rain and runoff, or the underground pipes and chambers that manage storm and waste water. Fund for Lake Michigan invites you to participate in the water scavenger hunt to explore the relationship between Milwaukee’s water and the city’s industrial, commercial, civic, and residential development.

Check Out the Water Passport

How to participate

The scavenger hunt will take place on Instagram
Follow the photo instructions at the locations listed in any order and post on Instagram from September 25 - October 3
Use the following tags and hashtags on any photos you take for the scavenger hunt: @fundforlakemi, @historicmilwaukee, #10yearsofflm, #domke2021

Prizes (after Oct. 4)

Any participant who takes one or more photos can stop by the Historic Milwaukee store (235 E Michigan St) for a Doors Open sticker.
The first 25 people who stop by the Historic Milwaukee store (235 E Michigan St) to show us photos from at least 5 different locations will receive a North Point Water Tower Mug.
All participants that participate and tag @fundforlakemi, @historicmilwaukee will be entered in a raffle to win pair of Kayak rentals, there will be two winners! Thanks to Milwaukee Kayak Company for this donation.

1. Turtle Park

In 2013, the River Revitalization Foundation's envisioned native perennials, a kayak and canoe launch, a fishing hole, and a wildlife observation point here, where a three-acre plot of rubble and invasive reed canary grass lay. With the Fund for Lake Michigan's support of a riverbank restoration, Turtle Park was born. Eight years later, Turtle Park is a tiny natural oasis amidst the bustle of city streets, the Beerline Trail, and the Milwaukee River.

Location: River Revitalization Foundation, 2134 N Riverboat Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53212

Photo Instructions: Take a photo of the Milwaukee River from the pedestrian bridge.

When to Visit: Visit anytime from Sept 25 - Oct 3!

More Info

In 2013, the River Revitalization Foundation's envisioned native perennials, a kayak and canoe launch, a fishing hole, and a wildlife observation point here, where a three-acre plot of rubble and invasive reed canary grass lay. With the Fund for Lake Michigan's support of a riverbank restoration, Turtle Park was born. Eight years later, Turtle Park is a tiny natural oasis amidst the bustle of city streets, the Beerline Trail, and the Milwaukee River.

Learn more

2. Fondy Farmers Market Market

Location: 1400 W Fond Du Lac Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53205

Photo Instructions: Attend the market, snap a pic of your favorite stall. Enjoy some fresh produce!

When to Visit: Stop by the market: Sat 7 am - 2 pm; Sun, Tues, Thur 9am - 2 pm

More Info

3. Menomonee Valley Rain Barrel Murals

Valley+Rain+Barrels_Credit+Kris+Hinrichs

Location: 212 S 36th St, Milwaukee, WI 53215

Photo Instructions: Strike a pose and snap a pic by your favorite rain barrel mural.

When to Visit: Visit anytime from Sept 25 - Oct 3!

More Info

4. Burnham Canal

Burnham Canal wetland restoration. Rendering by Ricardo J. Garcia-Diaz.

Location: S 11th St Bridge over canal, 43°01'35.2"N 87°55'31.2"W

Photo Instructions: Take a photo from the 11th Street bridge of the canal.

When to Visit: Visit anytime from Sept 25 - Oct 3!

More Info

5. Fish Habitat Maps

Location: Harbor View Plaza, 600 E Greenfield Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53204

Photo Instructions: Take a close up of your favorite fish!

When to Visit: Anytime when the park is open, 6 am - 10 pm. Or visit during Doors Open The UWM School of Freshwater Sciences on 9/25!

More Info

6. Pulaski Park

Location:1644-1712 W Cleveland Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53215

Photo Instructions: Take a photo from the Bridge over the Kinnickinnic River

When to Visit: Visit anytime during the day, bring the kids to play at the playground!

More Info

Starting in 2013, Sixteenth Street Community Health Center has led a stormwater management plan for the Pulaski Park neighborhood, using Fund for Lake Michigan grants and community effort to steadily improve water quality and flooding on the Lower Kinnickinnic River. Keep an eye out for the green infrastructure all around you, including rain barrels, rain gardens, bioswales, and porous materials on public and private property.

Learn more

7. All People's Church

Garden managed by All People's across the street

Location: 2600 N 2nd St, Milwaukee, WI 53212

Photo Instructions: Take a photo of the Darius Simmons Garden Sign

When to Visit: Visit anytime. Or stop by Mon/Wed/Fri 1 pm - 6 pm and check out their Gathering Table produce stand!

More Info

Water Capture in the Peoples Orchard

The City of Milwaukee partnered with All Peoples Gathering to care for an undevelopable lot on the corner of 2nd and Locust Streets. The lot is now host to many fruit and nut trees, and has a bioswale which leads to a cistern for water capture. This has helped to mitigate street flooding in the area.

All Peoples Gathering Church is committed to caring for creation in their urban environment. The Church has several green infrastructure installations on site for rainwater management, which is collected and used in the gardens and orchards. The rainwater used to sustain the gardens helps to produce thousands of pounds of produce which is given away to the neighborhood. All Peoples teaches neighbors to grow their own food and to capture rain water with rain barrel installation as they are able, and have facilitated the giveaway of free rain barrels.

All Peoples partners with many water organizations in the City of Milwaukee in infrastructure and education, and particularly with MMSD in an effort to mitigate street flooding and diminish the amount of water entering into the deep tunnel.

Water Capture off of the Ministry House and Community Garden Rain Barrel System

The community garden (southwest corner of 2nd and Clarke) utilizes rainwater which is captured in large totes from the roof of the neighboring home. This water is decanted into a system of blue rain barrels throughout the garden via a pedal pump (bicycle pumping system). The water is then used to water the plants in the gardens and hoop houses. A new drip irrigation system has been installed in some of the gardens.

Water Capture via the Greenhouse, Greenhouse Patio, and north side of the church

Porous paver system consists of a 4ft. deep substrate of crushed stone, topped by recycled stone pavers, grouted with pea gravel. Since the installation, All Peoples has observed 100% absorption of all rainfall by the system (ie no run-off)
The primary rain garden (stone base, topsoil and mulch) was installed below the retaining wall alongside the porous patio and next to the city sidewalk. A drain tile was installed next to the church sidewalk and staircase below the patio and is designed to drain any non-absorbed water into the rain garden. The garden is designed to capture run-off from the city sidewalk and patio, should it occur. Berry bushes, herbs and grasses were planted to drink in the water.
A 12-foot gutter was installed along the east roof line of the greenhouse to collect water from the greenhouse roof. The water is channeled into the Water HOG system which is used as a thermal mass wall inside the greenhouse during the cold season. The system currently holds 600 gallons.
Water collected in the HOGS and blue barrels is used to water the plants inside the greenhouse and in the gardens in the surrounding area. Overflow hoses from the blue rain barrels are directed out into the small orchard to water the apple trees and direct rain away from the building.

Porous Pavement - 3 gal/sq. ft. x 512 sq. ft.= 1536 gal per storm

Rain Garden - 4.4 gal/sq. ft. x 389.5 sq. ft. = 1713.8 gal per storm

Native Landscaping - 0.4 gal/sq. ft. x 74.25 sq. ft.= 29.7 gal per storm

Water HOG Rain Collection System - 400 gallons from the greenhouse roof

Blue Rain Barrels - 400 gallons

8. North Point Water Tower

Gary D. Koch - Doors Open 2018 - Milwaukee Water Works North Point Water Tower 06

Location: 2288 N Lake Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Photo Instructions: Take a photo of the tower

When to Visit: Visit any time for exterior photos. Or take a peek inside during Doors Open on 9/25!

More Info

9. Alice's Garden

Location: 2136 N 21st St, Milwaukee, WI 53205

Photo Instructions: Photograph the Great Lakes ground mural.

When to Visit: Visit Alice's Garden during Doors Open on 9/25 and 9/26!

More Info

Alice's Garden is a model for urban green infrastructure's triple bottom line impact on ecosystems, economies, and communities. With a bioswale that filters stormwater runoff from Brown Street Academy’s schoolyard, a 20,000 gallon underground cistern (built by 150+ volunteers!) that collects rainwater for garden irrigation, and a 4.2 kW, off-grid solar system that powers the irrigation pump, Alice's Garden feeds and beautifies the community, serves as a gathering place for people and pollinators alike, and helps improve Lake Michigan water quality. Read about the garden's facinating history at alicesgardenmke.com.

Learn more

10. Estabrook Dam Sculptures

Location: “Westabrook” Trail is located on the West bank of the Milwaukee River, where the Estabrook Dam was removed. They are located where the Estabrook Falls are, across from the beer garden. There is access from either end of the trail (intersections) or via the Heartis Senior Living facility (trail access but no parking). View trail map here.

Photo Instructions: Photograph one of the art sculptures by Tom Queoff that use dam remnants are installed at the falls.

When to Visit: Take a daytime hike any time!

More Info

The 2018 Estabrook Dam removal was a massive project, spearheaded by MMSD and backed by community members, to advance MMSD’s mission of improving water quality and watercourses on the Milwaukee River and safeguarding homes from flood risk within MMSD's service area. Creating free-flowing waterway in this segment of the Milwaukee River has enhanced fish habitat upstream and downstream and opened up recreational opportunities. Today, the west bank welcomes paddlers, anglers, and viewers of wildlife alike.

Learn more

September 25 - October 3

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Fund for Lake Michigan, we invite you to participate in the first ever annual Doors Open Water Scavenger Hunt!

How to participate

Prizes (after Oct. 4)

1. Turtle Park

2. Fondy Farmers Market Market

3. Menomonee Valley Rain Barrel Murals

4. Burnham Canal

5. Fish Habitat Maps

6. Pulaski Park

7. All People's Church

8. North Point Water Tower

9. Alice's Garden

10. Estabrook Dam Sculptures

Historic Milwaukee now offers self-guided tours via mobile app!

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