hidden lake park - brookfield, wi
Hidden Lake Park came to fruition in Brookfield in the last few years, but its history goes back much further. Once an operating sand and gravel pit, the pit eventually filled in with water, and evolved into a lake, nicknamed Hidden Lake by locals. If you're interested in the long history, and the ups and downs of developing the area into a park, read Ted H. Schaar's article Brookfield's Hidden Lake, which does a great job of telling the history of the land itself, and the development of it as well.
In recent years, the 85-acre property has become a 15-acre community park, and the 60-acre lake was designated the Hidden Lake Conservancy. Ten acres of the property were developed into adjacent residential apartments. Private property signs are clearly noted along the perimeters of the park, lake, and trails.
The park itself features a small and charming picnic shelter, a children's play area, and a grass area suitable for picnics and general relaxation. The paved trail starts at the park entrance, and leads to a viewing deck to Hidden Lake Conservancy. The trail continues on from there to the intersection of 131st Street and Center. Some of the paved trail is a bit steep, but not overly so. I'm told by locals that it is plowed during winter. We walked the trail from the park to 131st/Center, and back, for a total of 1.53 miles. The paved walking/biking trail is also a part of the Brookfield Greenway Trail System.
The surrounding terrain includes a wetland area at the entrance to the park, and an abundance of trees along the trail and surrounding the lake. On our walk here we spotted several spring migrants: Golden-Crowned Kinglets, and Yellow-Rumped Warblers. I expect this is a good bird-watching spot as the season progresses.
There is a small parking lot at the entrance of the park on Lilly Road. There are no restrooms on-site. Dogs are permitted on the paved trail on-leash.
Location: 2865 Lilly Road, Brookfield, WI (Waukesha County)
For more information click here.
In recent years, the 85-acre property has become a 15-acre community park, and the 60-acre lake was designated the Hidden Lake Conservancy. Ten acres of the property were developed into adjacent residential apartments. Private property signs are clearly noted along the perimeters of the park, lake, and trails.
The park itself features a small and charming picnic shelter, a children's play area, and a grass area suitable for picnics and general relaxation. The paved trail starts at the park entrance, and leads to a viewing deck to Hidden Lake Conservancy. The trail continues on from there to the intersection of 131st Street and Center. Some of the paved trail is a bit steep, but not overly so. I'm told by locals that it is plowed during winter. We walked the trail from the park to 131st/Center, and back, for a total of 1.53 miles. The paved walking/biking trail is also a part of the Brookfield Greenway Trail System.
The surrounding terrain includes a wetland area at the entrance to the park, and an abundance of trees along the trail and surrounding the lake. On our walk here we spotted several spring migrants: Golden-Crowned Kinglets, and Yellow-Rumped Warblers. I expect this is a good bird-watching spot as the season progresses.
There is a small parking lot at the entrance of the park on Lilly Road. There are no restrooms on-site. Dogs are permitted on the paved trail on-leash.
Location: 2865 Lilly Road, Brookfield, WI (Waukesha County)
For more information click here.
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