MISSION
In 2021, a group of concerned and passionate citizens from the Mequon Thiensville area formed a committee, which in 2022 became a 501(c)(3) called MT Trails Foundation, Inc., whose mission is to develop and support a system of family friendly bicycling and walking off road trails throughout the Mequon and Thiensville communities.
FIRST PROJECT
HIGHLAND ROAD BIKE/PEDESTRIAN SPUR
MT Trail’s first project is to work with local government and residents to privately fund a safe, off road two directional shared use 10 ft wide paved bike/pedestrian path for approximately 1.5 miles along Highland Road from Rotary Park going west to the Ozaukee Interurban Trail (OIT) to connect families, children and visitors to Rotary Park, the OIT and the Town Center of Mequon/Thiensville.
IN THE NEWS
"The Police Department supports the creation of defining a space for bicyclists to ride and pedestrians to walk, to foster a safer environment for the traveling motorists and bicycles."
Mequon Police Chief Pryor
"Something additional like this path would definitely lure our cross country runners over there!"
Jay Fuller, Head Coach, Homestead Highlanders Cross Country
HIGHLAND ROAD BIKE SPUR
TIMELINE OF EVENTS
2021YEAR ONE
A NEED IS IDENTIFIED
A small group of concerned and passionate citizens formed a committee to investigate an off-road bike/pedestrian paved trail along Highland Rd to Rotary Park from the Ozaukee Interurban Trail and presented the idea to the Mequon-Thiensville Bike & Pedestrian Way Committee to align vision.
RESEARCH IS PERFORMED
including feasibility studies, preliminary cost estimates and presenting the results to significant landowners.
2022YEAR TWO
GRASS ROOTS INTEREST and GETTING ORGANIZED
The committee formed the MT Trails Foundation and gained non-profit status (501c3). As required for non-profit status, a Board of Directors was formed (volunteer basis). The Mequon-Thiensville Community Foundation (MTCF) took us under their wing (our donations flow through them, we have a page on their website).
PUBLIC AWARENESS
Letters of support from City of Mequon Mayor, the Wisconsin Bike Federation and others were obtained, and April brought our first official event: "Celebrate Trails Day" (Rails to Trails national celebration) co-hosted by MTCF to gather input and determine support for the initial project. Summer informational "pop ups" (at M-T community events) continued. Discussions and concerns with significant landowners were captured and addressed.
FUNDRAISING BEGAN
MT Trails Foundation received a $988,000 grant from the Federal Government (administered through WisDOT) for the Highland Road Bike Spur and community grants began coming in (the first one was from Mequon-Thiensville Sunrise Rotary!) as well as support from individuals.
CITY OF MEQUON INVOLVEMENT
MT Trails board met with City of Mequon engineers and Department of Forestry and Public Works representatives along Highland Road to discuss details of the project.
2023YEAR THREE
ALIGNMENT WITH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The Mayor of Mequon and City Administrator were presented with a 10 year plan from the MT Trails Foundation. The First Project, the Highland Road Bike Spur, was approved by the City of Mequon’s Committee of the Whole and a “right of way” agreement between MT Trails and the City of Mequon was signed.
ORANIZING VOLUNTEERS AND FUNDRAISING
More volunteers got wind of the MT Trails efforts and assisted with purchasing a dedicated tent for MT Trails to use at our community pop up events. These volunteers were invaluable in setting up our Facebook page, dedicated emails and representing MT Trails at numerous community events, including our signature Summer Evening Chef’s table fundraising event at Rotary Park.
DISCUSSIONS WITH SIGNIFICANT LANDOWNERS CONTINUED
FINAL DESIGN CONSULTANT APPROVED by WisDOT for the Highland Road Bike Spur.
2024YEAR FOUR
HIGHLAND ROAD BIKE SPUR PROGRESS CONTINUES
Army Core of Engineers Wetland Jurisdiction has been requested, Traffic Impact Analysis has been completed and the Traffic Safety Study is being reviewed with significant landowners. Once these are reviewed with the City of Mequon, the Final Design Consultant work will begin, starting with homeowner meetings and ending with a final approved design by end of 2024 so construction bids can go out in spring 2025.
FUNDRAISING TO CONTINUE
We are getting closer! As of 3/1/2024 we have raised $1,274,000 towards our $1,531,000 goal. Keep checking back! Thanks for your interest and support!
TOTAL COSTS
Updated path costs as of 7/2022
| Construction of Path | |
| $1,060,000 | Paving boardwalks and construction |
| $106,000 | Engineering (10%) |
| $158,000 | Contingency |
| $1,324,000 | Total Construction Cost of Path |
| Signal Beacon | |
| $15,000 | LED lighted signal beacon with push button crosswalk |
| Endowment | |
| $100,000 | Covers ongoing maintenance and snow removal |
| Engineering Preliminary Work by Ayers Associates |
INCLUDES: Land architect preferred alignment plan Topographical survey estimate Wetland delineations CAD drafting of a 60% set of plan and profile sheets |
| $74,000 | Total Engineering Preliminary Work Incurred |
| $1,513,000 | TOTAL FUNDS NEEDED |
TOTAL FUNDS RAISED
AS OF 3/1/2024
$1,274,000
OF $1,513,000
Interested in supporting this project?
GET INVOLVED!
We encourage all citizens who are passionate about creating safe bike and pedestrian paths around our community to help us with this effort. To get involved or to ask specific questions email connect@mttrails.org or call 262-238-3803.
WAYS TO GIVE
Donations are accepted through our website and via mail. We also can accept gifts of appreciated stock.
Tap the LEARN MORE button below for more information about donating, or tap the DONATE NOW button to proceed directly to our online donation form and select "Bike Paths" in the dropdown menu for Area of Support.
"I walk almost daily during my lunch hour from the Gentian Building over to Rotary Park and the Wooded trail. I have to walk on the side of the road on Highland Rd to get there. I bike after work sometimes too and use the Interurban bike trail path but do NOT feel at all comfortable riding a bike on Highland Rd to get to the path. I usually now have my bike on my car and drive the 3/4 mile to the path entrance and park my car and start the biking from there. The path would be such a major improvement as I would not feel like I am about to get killed or have to be on constant alert for cars from both ways not seeing me."
Lisa Sheridan, Director of Client Operations, Gentian Financial
"Rotary Park is one of the many gems in our community. As a parent of small children, accessing our community on foot or on bicycles is important to keep our kids safe and to encourage healthy lifestyles for generations to come. An off road path connecting the Ozaukee Interurban Trail and Rotary Park would not only provide a safe route for families to access Rotary Park, but would also connect people in North Mequon to the Town Center District and Thiensville businesses."
Sam Azinger, Resident/Rotarian, chair of Chair-Mequon Thiensville Biking/Pedestrian Joint Commission and President of Rotary Club of Thiensville/Mequon
"Christ Alone Lutheran School sees the Ozaukee Interurban Trail as an asset for teaching our students about healthy living. Because it is located on the western edge of our property, we have easy access to it. We use the trail annually for our Run/Walk benefiting Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. We see the potential of using the trail for teaching about biking. Having the trail connect to Rotary Park would give a great destination and turn around point for our trips."
Paul Berger, Principal, Christ Alone Lutheran School in Thiensville
"For decades Gathering on the Green has put on our flagship event in Rotary Park. The park is a jewel in our community and we love showing it off to those who come to our events. The possibility of a bike path that would connect Rotary Park to the Ozaukee Interurban Trail is a dream come true. It would enable many more people to safely discover and explore the fantastic asset of our park."
Board of Directors, Gathering on the Green