By OnMilwaukee Staff Writers   Published Jun 08, 2006 at 9:02 AM
On May 26, the Natural Resource Board unanimously approved the purchase of the 5.5-mile extension of the Hank Aaron State Trail from Miller Park to the Milwaukee/Waukesha county line.  

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is now moving forward with the purchase, which should be finalized later on this summer, according to an e-mail from Melissa Cook at the DNR.   
 
The Hank Aaron State Trail will traverse the entire county, linking with the Oak Leaf Trail at both the east and west end points and several intermediate points.

"The Department of Natural Resources is very excited about the extension to the Hank Aaron State Trail.  With this extension and our existing trail in the Menomonee Valley, the trail will be within three miles of over 400,000 people.  Over the next few years, we will continue to work with the numerous organizations and individuals that have made the trail possible and anticipate that the new segment will be completed in 2009," said Melissa Cook, Hank Aaron State Trail Manager.
 
After it’s completed, the The Hank Aaron State Trail will connect several destinations including: Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin, Milwaukee Art Museum, Lakeshore State Park, Summerfest, Historic Third Ward, Historic Walker’s Point, Harley Davidson Museum, Potawatomi Bingo Casino, Marquette Valley Fields, Mitchell Park, Miller Park, Menomonee Valley Stormwater Park, Soldier’s Home Historic District, State Fair Park, Petitt National Ice Center, Milwaukee County Zoo, and the restorative peace of the Menomonee River.  
 
The Friends of the Hank Aaron Sate Trail, headed by Milwaukee native and attorney Bruce Keyes, will host the annual 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, Aug. 12 at 8:30 a.m. at Miller Park.  The event is expanding to include a Grand Slam Grand Opening event with entertainment, music, fun and food. Homer run leader, Aaron, himself will be there.  Call (414) 263-8559 for more details.  

The Web site is hankaaronstatetrail.org.