Milwaukee County’s goal is to enrich your life by providing essential services that meet your needs and those of your family, neighbors, co-workers and friends.
We enhance the quality of life in Milwaukee County through great public service.
Milwaukee County is home to over 950,000 people living in one of 19 communities, which range in size from the City of Milwaukee, with 595,000 residents, to the Village of River Hills, with roughly 1,600 residents.
Still a manufacturing stronghold, the region features 16 Fortune 1000 companies and thousands of others in the financial services, medical device, hospitality and retailing industries.
Find information about things to do and happenings in Milwaukee County.
Get help with COVID-19: Apply for a small business grant, get rent or mortgage assistance, and learn more about Milwaukee County’s ongoing response.
Milwaukee County Parks are the gateway to Lake Michigan and the county's rivers, lagoons, lakes and waterways.
McKinley Marina is the gateway to Lake Michigan. Transient and permanent berths are available as well as day permits for launching motor boats, jet skis and non-motorized boats. New to sailing? The nearby Community Sailing Center offers lessons.
Visit McKinley Marina
Get on the water with boat launches at McKinley Marina, South Shore Park, Bender Park and the downtown Milwaukee River launch site. Season and daily launch passes are available.
Get a Boat Launch Pass
Spend a day on the water by renting a pedal boat, stand-up paddleboard, kayak or canoe at Veterans Park Lagoon. Head to the Wheel Fun rental booth during the summer season.
Visit Wheel Fun Rentals
Exploring Milwaukee from the water provides a unique perspective on the City and our parks. Rent a kayak from Milwaukee Kayak Company to paddle along the Milwaukee River Trail or visit the Urban Ecology Center in Washington Park to rent a canoe for a paddle on the lake.
Learn About the River Trail
Around 20 park lagoons are stocked with fish from the Hunger Taskforce fish hatchery. To fish you'll need a fishing license and inland trout stamp from WDNR. A fish cleaning station is also available at South Shore Park.
Lake Michigan, aka the Third Coast, is a prime spot for water recreation throughout the year. Jet skis are available to rent at Veterans Park, or head to Lake Effect Surf Shop to grab the gear you'll need for some Lake Michigan wave riding.
9480 W. Watertown Plank Road Wauwatosa, WI 53226 (414) 257-PARK (7275)