‘H’ is for Harambee & Riverwest

“H” is for hydration, uHuru, harmony, Harambee, and health… The Beerline Trail... A paved asphalt trail built upon the old railroad line that once brought grain from the agricultural heartland to supply Milwaukee’s brewing industry when the city could claim to “feed and supply the world” in the 21st century connects Milwaukeeans to nature in the city and each other. As it diagonally crosses the harsh landscape of Holton Street, this multiuse path—annotated by local art and supported by grassroots groups who clean, maintain, and program it with activities—spans the boundaries between Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood on the east and Harambee on the west. This geographic divide is also psychological and socioeconomic, but the trail is a promise to work to bridge this gap that is also a microcosm of Milwaukee’s—and our nation’s—larger story of struggle to unite in the face of the legacy of racial and economic injustices and environmental injuries. The Beerline WaterMarker represents our focus on water—something that intrinsically unites us. It is a vote for an active hope, a reminder of what connects us, and a beacon for collective action. Artists ranging from poets and musicians to crafters and painters all have something to offer in co-creating the Beerline’s future story.