Kensington gets connector to Milford-Kensington trail

Mon, Aug  8, 2011 - By Mike Muha

The connector between the 8.5 mile Kensington Metropark bike path loop and the newer 3.6 Milford-Kensington Trail (one-way) is under construction. This connector, about 1.2 miles long, starts from the traffic triangle in the park and runs along the northest side of the road out toward the Milford Road park entrance.

Rollerskiers (and bikers, inline skaters, and runners) will be able to roller ski 18.1 miles (28K) around Kensington, out to Milford, and back again, without having to ski on the park road.

This comes at an opportune time, as the connector between Kensington Metropark and Island Lake Recreation Area's bike path and roads will be closed during much of the rest of the year because of road construction on I-94 (see I-96 repairs to impact Kensington - Island Lake connector path).

This set of bike paths is exceptionally popular with area rollerskiers.

During the construction, the existing bike paths are torn up at the intersections, forcing skiers, bikers, runners, and inline skaters to detour onto the grass or onto the park road.

Photo story

Above: Looking north from Buno Road. The path follows closely along the road. Hopefully gravel won't be thrown up on the path for passing traffic.

The connector has currently taken out the South Windfall Hill Picnic area directly across from Buno Road. I believe the picnic area will return, making it likely that the connector will cross over access to a parking lot.

Facing north from the traffic circle. Heading up the path would take you to the South Windfall Hill Picnic Area and onward to the Kensington-Milford Trail.

Facing north: the traffic triangle from the southern edge.

Facing east toward the traffic triangle from the existing Kensington bike path.

From the traffic circle, facing west toward the existing (although currently torn-up) Kensington bike path. Fortunately, the intersection is roughly level. Congestion might be a problem on busy summer days with car and path traffic.

The current Kensington bike path, looking north just before the traffic triangle. Path users must get off the path onto the road to get around the barriers.