Commission approves nature playground at Lac LaRan Conservancy; $75,000 in impact fees allocated to start site work

The West Bend Park and Recreation Commission voted to approve construction of a nature-based playground at the Lac LaRan Conservancy and to transfer $75,000 from the Park Trust park impact-fees account to start site work.

Commissioners heard a detailed presentation about the proposed play area’s design, safety features, accessibility and fundraising approach before moving to voice votes that carried both measures.

Courtney, a Lac LaRan Conservancy representative, said the project “will challenge the imagination, help develop fine and gross motor skills, help develop problem solving skills, team building and creative play.” She described a layout that includes an ADA-accessible entrance and wooden overlook deck, sensory and music walls, a toddler maze, mud kitchens (two already constructed), log features made from saved local trees, and an amphitheater for field trips and classes. She said some pieces are already built by park staff and Eagle Scout projects and that portions of the playground can be completed as discrete fundraising targets are met.

Mike, speaking as a Parks Department presenter, reviewed site and safety requirements. He said the commission’s immediate need is to complete site preparation and a safety fence along Schmidt Road: “That fence is critical because it’s a safety feature with this site.” He described a 6-foot wooden fence along the road that would step down to 4 feet elsewhere and said crews would extend a cyclone fence into the pond to prevent children from slipping around the perimeter. Mike also said the entrance, sensory garden and wooden deck would be ADA-accessible while noting the full site will not be fully grade-accessible.

The commission heard cost estimates and a phased construction approach. Mike described two budget figures presented: a roughly $62,000 estimate for initial grading, retaining walls and site preparation; and approximately $250,000 listed as the project’s primary goals and objectives. He clarified the $250,000 figure does not have to be raised in full before work begins: “As soon as we raise money for one of the features, we can construct that one feature,” he said. He told commissioners the department and designer had contacted contractors for hard-cost estimates and that much of the department’s construction work (for features such as the agility area) would be done in-house using reclaimed wood the department has saved from prior site work.

Commissioners asked questions about operating impacts, construction timing, and cost realism. One commissioner said $250,000 seemed low and suggested the project could exceed $500,000; Mike replied that the contractor estimates Rick Fox gathered were “pretty close.” Commissioners also discussed scheduling of staff labor vs. contracted grading work and whether construction would compete with other in-house projects such as Villa Park playground.

On fundraising, presenters proposed naming rights for individual features and a mix of large and smaller donor levels; Mike said a local service club was considering a “very significant donation.” The Conservancy representatives said they already have field-trip demand (Courtney reported 14 field trips scheduled for May) and multiple regular user groups, which they cited as evidence of community interest.

During the meeting the commission first voted to approve the project concept and then voted to transfer $75,000 from the Park Trust park impact-fees account into an expense account to fund grading, fencing and initial site preparation. The department noted the Park Trust balance and near-term incoming development fees when presenting the transfer; the memo referenced an account balance of about $521,700 as of Dec. 30, 2023, and a later working balance shown on staff materials.

Votes at a glance - Motion to approve the Lac LaRan nature playground project: motion made, seconded and carried by voice vote (motion carried; individual recorded roll-call tallies not recorded in the meeting minutes). - Motion to transfer $75,000 from the Park Trust park impact-fees account to an expense account for initial site work: motion made, seconded and carried by voice vote (motion carried; individual recorded roll-call tallies not recorded).

What happens next Staff said the $75,000 would cover grading, fencing and other “dirty work” to allow immediate, partial use of the site while fundraising for additional features continues. Presenters and staff emphasized a phased approach: once fencing and initial grading are complete, volunteers, staff-built features and donated elements could be opened incrementally. Fundraising materials and donor-level examples were circulated during the meeting.