The Pike River South Branch Restoration Project received unanimous approval from the Kenosha County Board on March 18, with new funding streams set to move the long-planned initiative forward.
The project aims to restore a 1.5-mile section of the Pike River between Highway K and Highway S to its natural path, rehabilitate wetlands, and extend a multi-use trail system for residents. County Executive Samantha Kerkman said, “The result will be an ecological gem in the heart of the city. The quality of the Pike River watershed is important to the environmental health of our county, the communities it runs through, and, ultimately, Lake Michigan. I’m pleased to see this plan advancing with the help of new funding.”
County Board Chairman Monica M. Yuhas described the effort as “a transformative effort to enhance environmental sustainability, restore natural habitats, and improve water quality in this region” for future generations. Both Kerkman and Yuhas acknowledged support from partners including Root-Pike WIN, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Army Corps of Engineers, and staff who helped make the project financially feasible. Kerkman called it “a true testament of what can be accomplished when we work together to achieve a common goal.”
Additional grants have reduced Kenosha County’s share by $1.3 million from initial estimates, with potential further savings through Root-Pike WIN’s financial initiatives. Dave Giordano, Executive Director of Root-Pike WIN, said: “The restoration of the South Branch is not just an environmental project; it is a promise to the next generations that we will do better. We are grateful to the County and all the funding partners, including the Brookwood Foundation and Fund for Lake Michigan, who help make the land and water better for the next generation.”
Restoration activities are part of ongoing efforts dating back to the 1980s within the Pike River Watershed. Since 2016, more than $12.3 million has been raised from sources such as U.S. Army Corps of Engineers grants in support of these projects.
The plan includes restoring 215 acres of farmland into parkland, reducing sediment flow into Lake Michigan by about 1,000 tons annually, recreating stream channels for improved ecology, rehabilitating wetlands for water quality benefits, and extending recreational trails.
In related community data reported by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Indian Trail High School and Academy had Kenosha County’s highest enrollment during 2023-24 with 2,001 students; Tremper High School followed with 1,458 students; Bradford High School had 1,448 students. White students made up 55.6% (14,127) of local enrollment in that year compared to 56.4% previously (source). Of all students attending Kenosha County schools in that period—25,402 total—Hispanic students were second largest at 25.7% (6,528), while Black students accounted for 10.4% (2,642) (source). American Indian students represented just 0.2%, making them one of least represented groups (source), while multiracial students comprised 6.6% (source) and Pacific Islander students were least represented at only 0.1% (source).
Yuhas said she hopes these efforts will benefit both current residents and future generations as restoration continues throughout Kenosha County.
