Project Spotlight:

RiverWalk Receives APA Award

Best Public Spaces - October 2011

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The Ken Kay Associates design for the Milwaukee RiverWalk recently received an award as one of the country’s Great Public Spaces by the American Planning Association (APA).

The RiverWalk extends along both sides of the Milwaukee River from the harbor north through downtown. Initiated by former mayor John O. Norquist in 1988, the planning and development of Milwaukee RiverWalk involved a partnership between the city and property and business owners along the river.

Our design features a three mile walkway, landscaping, street furniture and 18 pieces of artwork cast in bronze medallions along the length of the RiverWalk. The walkway, which links businesses, theatres, and neighborhoods has generated a $700 million increase in commercial and residential investments.

The APA award “celebrates places of exemplary character, quality, and planning. Places are selected annually and represent the gold standard in terms of having a true sense of place, cultural and historical interest, community involvement, and a vision of tomorrow.”

For a description of the project, a map and photographs, please visit the following APA link:

Great Places In America: Public Spaces

To read two articles by Tom Daykin in the Milwaukee Sentinel Journal, please visit the following links:

Milwuakee RiverWalk Receives National Recognition

RiverWalk Turns 20 and is Still Growing

Other Awards for The Milwaukee RiverWalk

“Gertie the Duck” Award By Milwaukee Riverwalk Committee - 2001

Catherine Brown Merit Award By Congress for the New Urbanism - 1999

National Waterfront Award By The Waterfront Center – 1998