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Chiwaukee Prairie Ramble

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Difficulty: Easy
Length: 15.4 miles / 25 km
Duration: 1-3 hours

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Overview: Originally known as Pike, and later Southport, Kenosha officially gained it's name in 1850.

Kenosha, Wisconsin's fourth largest city, is midway between Chicago and Milwaukee on Lake Michigan. Early city planners did well to ensure the city created it's share of green space as Kenosha has 14 parks. This guide will take you through ten parks-eight of them on the lakefront. The route includes paved bike trails, on-road, and screened bike trail sections.

The route is a narrow loop with one leg hugging the lakefront and the return leg through downtown. It connect both sections of the Kenosha County Bike Trail, which also connects to the Robert McClory Bike Trail in Illinois and the North Shore Bike Path in Racine. Parking is available at most locations on the loop, so the tour length can be adjusted to your ability and desire.

Either end of the route can be reached from I-94 in about 10 minutes by car. You can also bring your bike along on the Metra and get dropped off right downtown.

Tips: If coming from the north, consider parking at Poerio Park Nature Center. This route can also be accessed by bike via the North Shore Trail in Racine County.

If coming from the south, consider parking at the Kenosha County Bike Trail Lot on Springbrook Road. This route can also be accessed via the Kenosha County and Robert McClory bike trails.

When biking anywhere, always wear a helmet and eye protection.

The riding surface varies from screened limestone to paved trails, to on road biking.Be prepared for changing riding surfaces and vehicle, pesdestrian, and bike traffic.

Always follow the rules of the road.

Reflective and brightly colored clothing make you more visible to motorists, pedestrians, and other bikers.

Layered clothing is the best way to regulate your temperature during changing weather conditions.

Be prepared: make sure your bike is in excellent condition, bring water, snacks, and bike tools.

Points of Interest

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South Kenosha County Bike Trail Junction

Junction with the northern trailhead of the southern section of the Kenosha County Bike Trail. This is the most southern part of this guide and is a good location to park if you are coming from the south.

It can be accessed via the Robert McClory Bike Trail by bike or County EZ, a.k.a 39th Ave. and Lewis in Lake County, IL.

There is some parking available on 89th Street, but it can be very limited on weekend when athletic events are held across the street. You might also want to consider parking at the Kenosha County Bike Trail lot on Springbrook Road.

The South Kenosha County Bike Trail continues south to the Wisconsin/Illinois state line where it connects to the Robert McClory Bike Trail.

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Keno Drive-In Theatre

The Keno Drive-In's slogan is "Movies Under the Stars". This is absolutely true at one of the few remaining drive-in outdoor theaters.
A double feature starts at sunset every night of the season.

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Kenosha Sand Dunes

Trails crisscross this area of sandy mounds on the shore of Lake Michigan. The Kenosha Sand Dunes are the northern most part of the Chiwauke Prairie State Natural Area.
Access is from 85th Street just behind the gate or from Southport Park.

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Southport Beach House

The Southport Beach House was built in 1936 and named after Kenosha's original name. It is available to rent for events.
The rest of the park includes walking and biking paths, plenty of bench seats to take in the view, picnic areas, and a playground. At the south end is path which leads to the Kenosha Dunes.
Parking is available here. If you are driving up from the south, this would be a convenient place to park.

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Kemper Center

The Kemper Center is the centerpiece of Kenosha's Third Avenue Historic District-also know as the mansion district. Kemper Center began in the 1860s as the private home of Wisconsin's first senator, Charles Durkee. The property also served as a boarding school and Episcopal school for girls before it become a Kenosha County Park in 1977.

Tours of the Durkee mansion are available as are many seasonal events throughout the year.

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Wolfenbuttel Park

A wonderful gazebo set in a well maintained flower garden. Named after Kenosha's sister city in Germany.

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Kenosha Public Museum

A natural sciences and fine and decorative arts museum established in 1933. Exhibit programming includes world cultures, Native Americans, zoology, geology, fossils, and fine and decorative arts.

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Lake Front Park

A paved path winds around a playground before it heads towards the lakefront and Kenosha Harbor.
To the East of the playground are restrooms, water fountains, and vending. Further East is a splash park offering a great way to cool off during the summer season.

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Lake Michigan Scenic Overlook

An elevated spot on the water's edge with an unobstructed view of Lake Michigan.

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Kenosha Harbor

An idyllic scenic spot for Lake Michigan and the photogenic Kenosha Pierhead Lighthouse on the Kenosha Harbor. A short walk to the southeast brings you to a fountain.

Statue overlooking the Kenosha Museums Photo

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Civil War Museum

The Civil War Museum is dedicated to telling the personal stories and contributions of the men and women of the Upper Middle West - specifically, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota.

The museum features many civil war displays and reenactments.

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Kenosha Transit Electric Streetcar

The electric streetcar system features five refurbished authentic 1951 President’s Conference Committee (PCC) cars that once operated in Toronto, Canada. The streetcars run on a 1.7 mile loops that connects the Kenosha harbor area with the Kenosha Transit Center, the Metra rail service , and the Civic Center Historical District.

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Simmons Island Park

Nested next to the harbor, the Simmons Island Park features a paved bike path, plenty of picnic areas, and a beach with playground and municipal bath house.
On the south side of Simmons Island is the Kenosha History Center, Kenosha (Southport) Lighthouse built in 1866, and the Pierhead Lighthouse.

Simmons Island Municipal Bath House Photo

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Southport Light Station Museum

Part of the Kenosha History Center, the Southport Light Station Museum features the 1866 Southport Light house and Keepers Quarters.

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Kenosha History Center

The 1866-67 Southport Light Station and the 1917 Kenosha Water Utility pumping station (Kenosha History Center) together form the campus of Kenosha County Historical Society.
The Kenosha History Center collects and preserves artifacts, records and information vital to the understanding the history of the County's social, cultural, ethnic and industrial heritage since its settlement.

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Sesquicentennial Bandshell in Pennoyer Park

Outdoor bandshell and outdoor home of the Kenosha Pops Orchestra during the summer.

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Alford Park

A mostly undeveloped shoreline with a parking lot traversed by a paved bike path. Shaded picnic areas are available on the West side of Alford Park Drive.

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Pike River

The bike path bridges over the Pike River on the Carthage College campus.

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Poerio Park Nature Center

A fantastic park with an open air pavilion, ponds, nature trail, and hiking.

Parking is available here.

If you are coming from the north, this is a great place to park before getting further into Kenosha.

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North Kenosha County Bike Trail/Petrifying Springs Connector Trail Junction

Junction with the northern section of the Kenosha County Bike Trail.

The North Kenosha County Bike Trail continues south back into Kenosha and north to the County Line where it meets the Racine County North Shore Trail.

Less than a hundred feet north is the Petrifying Springs Connector Trail which extends 2 miles west to the University of Wisconsin/Parkside and Prairie Spring Park-a great place to visit during the fall color show.

Kenosha County Bike Trail North access Photo

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Washington Park Velodrome

Opened in 1927, this is the oldest operating velodrome in the United States. It still remains a venue for bike racing from June to August each year.

The velodrome is one part of Washington Park which also includes a pool/waterpark, picnic areas, hiking, and the elusive Pike Creek.

Parking is available here.

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Library Park Historic District

Library Park is one of four historic districts in Kenosha and includes some early twentieth century architecture, like the Gilbert M. Simmons Memorial Library, as well as Lincoln Statue and "Winged Victory" Monument.

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Kenosha Metra Station

This is the northern terminus of the Union Pacific North (UP-N) Metra line. This railway connects to Chicago on the southern end and all the communities in between.
Metra does allow bikes on the train during non-rush hour trains. This is a great way to get to downtown Kenosha from communities further south as an alternative to car or bike.

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Civic Center Park

Civic Center Park is centered in the Civic Center Historical District and is surrounded on all side by representative architecture. has a balance of large mature trees and lawn. The miniature Statue of Liberty sits at the center of the park and side- walks radiate through mature tree and lawn to the edges of the park. The Statue of Liberty was given to the city in 1950 by local Boy Scout troops to mark Kenosha's 100th anniversary.

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Dinosaur Discovery Museum

The Dinosaur Discovery Museum focuses on the link between birds and meat-eating dinosaurs. The Carthage Institute of Paleontology is housed in the Museum, and it is dedicated to the preparation and conservation of real dinosaur fossils, boasting one of the most complete known fossil records.

Be sure to check out the buildings interesting history, previously the Post Office with a previous address almost 200 feet east!

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Kenosha County Bike Trail Parking on Springbrook Road

A small parking area with a connecting path to the Kenosha County Bike Trail. This is a good place to park if you are driving up from the south. The tour begins less than a mile north down the Kenosha County Bike Trail.

Kenosha County Bike Trail Parking on Springbrook Photo

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Pierhead Lighthouse

The Pierhead Lighthouse, built in 1906, stands 50 feet tall and is completely accessible by foot via the pier. Parking is available at the end of 51st Place.

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Lake Michigan Scenic Overlook

An elevated spot on the water's edge with an unobstructed view of Lake Michigan.

Pictures in this guide taken by: WisconsinGuide

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