‘Everybody’s concerned’: Erosion continues on Sheridan Park bluff

CUDAHY, Wis. (CBS 58) - The Sheridan Park bluff in Cudahy has continued to erode, forcing people to be closer to a massive drop-off into Lake Michigan.

“While recent storm activity can contribute to ongoing erosion along Lake Michigan, this is part of a longer-term coastal stability challenge we’ve actively tracking,” said a representative with Milwaukee County Parks.

Those living nearby have seen the bluffs get worse over the years.

“These bluffs have been unraveling since I’ve lived here,” Cudahy resident Colleen Grundy said. “In the last couple months, it’s really been bad with all the rain and the wind events and everything that has been going on.”

As time goes on the bluff is getting closer to part of the Oak Leaf Trail.

“Everybody’s concerned, people are concerned about the park, they’re concerned about the road, they’re concerned that people are gonna fall off the cliff,” Grundy said. “I measured that the other day it’s 60 feet from the edge of the bluff to the sidewalk.”

The parks department requested funding for a Sheridan Park bluff stabilization design project in 2025, but it was not included in an adopted budget.

The project was re-submitted for consideration in the 2027 capital budget.

The current request is around $1 million for planning, design, and permitting, while full construction is estimated at $18 million in future phases.

“It makes me nervous, especially when there’s a lot of bikes and electric scooters and you could quite easily go off the trail and get hurt,” Cudahy resident Kiersten Prost said.