A splash feature and all-inclusive playground in downtown Menomonee Falls are slated for completion by the end of this month
Village Park in Menomonee Falls will soon have its long-awaited splash feature, all-inclusive play area and renovated tennis and pickleball courts. Phase 2 of the Village Park upgrades — its final phase — is on track to be completed by the end of October.
One of the biggest attractions is an all-inclusive play area. According to village documents, the 13,000-square-foot play area will include a central multi-level climbing feature, an accessible swing and merry-go-round, a play hill, swings and toddler play structures. There will be a rubber surface for those in a wheelchair or with mobility issues.
"We are very excited. There currently is no playground area (at Village Park), said Cailyn Kison, social media manager for Menomonee Falls Downtown. She said, as part of the Menomonee Falls Downtown staff, that this will "absolutely" help with the village's future summer programming.
"We want to have more movie nights next summer," she said. After doing one movie night in September this summer, she said there can be more programming before the movie as kids can play in the playground before the movie begins.
Kison also said this will help increase attendance for the concerts or adult-level programs. "Kids have someplace to play (if the adults want to participate in an event)," she said.
Another amenity will be a splash feature, a 1,250-square-foot circle with ground, sensor-activated fountains, according to village documents. This feature will also have LED lights to change colors and will be wheelchair accessible. In the warmer months, kids can play in it, and it can be a decorated, lighted feature in the summer months.
More: This Menomonee Falls woman is honored as an Unsung Hero after years of giving to her community
There will also be more outdoor lighting, a picnic shelter and additional seating areas.
Phase 2 cost was approximately $3.2 million, said Village Manager Mark Fitzgerald. Of that, an estimated $2.2 million came from public investments such as park impact fees (funds from new building permits), tourism dollars (money from the hotel tax) and tax incremental financing.
The Optimist Club — an international organization to benefit kids with a local chapter in Menomonee Falls — raised the remaining balance for the Village Park. According to the Optimist Club website, they raised $1.05 million with $1,028.693 with $20,000 of verbal pledges.
The first phase, a $2.1 renovation project for Village Park, was completed last year. This project included a multipurpose plaza space, performance stage, shelter building with restrooms, landscaping and lighting features, gathering spaces and multiple electrical access points for event vendors.
Full programming that will incorporate the features of Phase 2 will begin the summer of 2023, according to village documents.
Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @kozlowicz_cathy.
Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.
DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Latest upgrades at Menomonee Falls Village Park are nearly complete
