On May 10, 2002, RRF acquired its first property, a nearly 5-acre parcel along the west bank of the Milwaukee River. This parcel, an abandoned railroad right-of-way, connects to the south end of Gordon Park and continues to Wright Street. The WDNR awarded the Foundation with a Knowles Nelson Stewardship grant in the amount of $200,000 to cost share in this acquisition. Acquiring and preserving this property for public access and trails will help protect the river valley and create links between existing green space and County parks from Locust Street to North Avenue. Additional properties, identified in a land protection plan, will be sought to continue the greenway along the river to the Ozaukee County line.
