Three Bridges Park prepares to open on Saturday

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Miles of trails, access to the Menomonee River, and a beautiful view of the city makeup the Menomonee Valley's newest addition.

"It`s something we`re very excited about and there`s a lot of energy in the neighborhood right now in anticipation looking forward to this," says Will Sebern with the Layton Blvd. West Neighbors.

Three Bridges Park opens to the public on Saturday.

It's the largest new park developed in Milwaukee in decades.

Crews have spent years transforming this 24 acres of land.

"I don`t think people could even imagine what this was like. This was a very active rail yard. This was a rail yard for 100 years for the Milwaukee Road," says DNR Hank Aaron State Trail Manager Melissa Cook.

The three bridges and the Hank Aaron Trail allow people to access the park.

"The neighborhood just to the south of us is the most densely populated neighborhood in all of Wisconsin and for over a generation there has not been a connection to green space near the river for this neighborhood," says Menomonee Valley Urban Ecology Center Manager Glenna Holstein.

Along with building the bridges and trails, trees have been planted and all 24 acres have been seeded to grow grass.

"What you see here today is just the very beginning of the green space that you will see growing here over the next 30 years," says Cook.

Many residents can't wait to experience Three Bridges Park.

"Families are going to be able to come down with their children take a bike ride, go fishing, go canoeing on the river, or just hang out and get to know their neighbors and relax on a Saturday afternoon," says Sebern.

Bridging the past and the future.

Three Bridges Park opens to the public Saturday, July 20th at 10am with a dedication and free family celebration.

The celebration includes kayak demonstrations, bike rides, food trucks, and live music.