Walking / Bike Path near Downtown La Crosse WI (Salem, Sparta: college, to live in)

[mopaper]

I visited La Crosse a few years ago and took pictures. Nice place. Some were of a walking and bike path near downtown but I forgot the street names.

I want to go back this Summer to take pictures. This time I'll be coming by bus or plane and will be doing a lot of walking around especially near downtown. Would love to know the name of this path, exact location and any other information you might have.

It's near the two year college and there is an Associated bank operations building very near the entrance. I also remember the county courthouse and police station were nearby but that's it. Can anybody help? Any pictures of this path? This is one I took. It might help. Thanks in advance.

[Ron Burgundy]

I don't know the name of the path, but it's pretty easy to get to. If you're downtown, go to Riverside Park. In the NE corner there will be some international gardens. The path goes right through that and runs along the river. If you take it the opposite way, you'll find the section you've pictured. The path runs from riverside park to and through the marsh. It runs around the festgrounds, underneath Copeland Ave, behind the office buildings near 7th & La Crosse St, and all the way to the Menards at Monitor St & Lang Dr. It then passes underneath Lang Drive and winds through the marsh southbound until it hits up with Myrick Park (on ~ 20th & La Crosse St) and northbound until it hits the industrial park.

That spot in particular is located behind a parking lot in the rear of two office buildings at the intersection of 4th St/Copeland Ave & La Crosse St. Probably about 2 blocks east of Copeland and 2 blocks north of La Crosse St.

[sillygal]

but I was wondering if maybe that was part of the Sparta-Elroy trail. I know it too goes along a river.....Its been eons since I have been there though. I do know if you google sparta-elroy you can get all kinds of info. It is a rail to trail. If you do get there, that trail is a must it is awesome, and I have been on several.......it has always stuck in my mind as being one of the nicest ones I have been on.

[Ron Burgundy]

It does indeed connect to the Sparta/Elroy trail. After it goes through the marsh, it goes under Hwy 16 and along the RR tracks behind Walsh's golf center. Then it goes through Veteran's Park in West Salem and hooks up with the Sparta trail thereafter.

[mopaper]

Wow. Thanks so much for the responses. I'm taking them with me when I go back, with a new camera this time (smile). All the streets you mentioned sound familiar. But after a few years things are really fuzzy.

I'll only have a few days to take pics and I wanted to use my time well. The path (trail) did run along a river and if I remember, it did seem to run all the way across town. It left a great impression on me. La Crosse has so many beautiful surprises around almost every corner. It's just amazing to be so small in population.

I have to say it's memorable. If I were going to move again to another city in Wisconsin, La Crosse would be in the top three. Thanks again!

[suecen]

I used to live in La Crosse and have been there countless times and never knew about this trail - THANK YOU!!