Underwood Creek Parkway

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Underwood Creek Parkway is a beautiful natural area located in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

This 26-acre park offers visitors various recreational activities, serene landscapes, and a chance to explore the local flora and fauna. Here is a summary of the key features, attractions, and ideal time to visit:

Reasons to Visit:
1. Nature and Recreation: Underwood Creek Parkway provides a peaceful escape from city life, offering an abundance of green spaces, walking paths, and picnic areas. It is an ideal destination for leisurely walks, jogging, or cycling.
2. Wildlife Viewing: The parkway is home to diverse wildlife, including birds, turtles, rabbits, and various species of fish. Birdwatchers will particularly enjoy the opportunity to spot different migratory and resident bird species.
3. Educational Opportunities: The park features interpretive signs that provide valuable information about the plants, animals, and history of the area, making it an excellent destination for educational outings with family or school groups.

Points of Interest:
1. Underwood Creek: The centerpiece of the parkway is its namesake, Underwood Creek. This meandering stream is lined with native vegetation and offers picturesque views, especially during the fall when the foliage transforms into vibrant colors.
2. Oak Leaf Trail: Underwood Creek Parkway serves as a gateway to the Oak Leaf Trail, a 125-mile recreational trail that winds through Milwaukee County. Visitors can easily access this popular trail from the park.
3. Amphitheater: The park features an amphitheater that hosts various community events, including concerts, plays, and outdoor movie screenings during the summer months.

Interesting Facts:
1. Land Reclamation: Underwood Creek Parkway was created through land reclamation efforts from the 1960s to the 1980s. It involved transforming former landfills and industrial sites into a beautiful recreational space.
2. Environmental Restoration: The parkway is an ongoing restoration project aimed at revitalizing the natural habitat and improving water quality in Underwood Creek.
3. Community Involvement: The parkway is maintained and enhanced through a partnership between the City of Wauwatosa, Friends of the Monarch Trail, and dedicated volunteers.

Best Time to Visit:
The ideal time to visit Underwood Creek Parkway is during the spring and fall. In spring, the park bursts with blooming flowers and migratory birds returning to the area. Fall offers stunning foliage colors, creating a breathtaking backdrop for walks and photography. Summer is also popular due to the park's events and concerts at the amphitheater.

It is always recommended to verify information across multiple independent sources, such as official city or park websites, local tourist guides, or reputable travel websites, to ensure accuracy and up-to-date information.

       

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
View more

Featured Parks