Heart of the Valley communities have 5 new play spaces on the way. Here's what to know
LITTLE CHUTE — Families in the Heart of the Valley will soon have more choices of spaces to let their children play this summer.
A number of local parks are getting some upgrades that will allow children to burn off some energy and get exercise.
Here's the status of new playgrounds and splash pads coming to the Heart of the Valley.
More: Where can you find inclusive playgrounds in the Fox Valley and beyond?
Waterslide, splash pad will be added to Kaukauna's aquatic center
Kaukauna's municipal pool is getting turned into an expansive aquatic center equipped with a new waterslide, splash pad, aquatic climbing wall and mini-golf course.
The 30-year-old downtown facility will be upgraded to also include a larger locker room with additional restrooms, changing rooms and showers, an upgraded concession stand and added pavilions.
Construction began at the end of the summer 2023 season and plans to be ready for use by the summer 2024 season.
Kimberly's Verhagen Park playground to get a major upgrade
Kimberly is replacing its playground in Verhagen Park to include swings for people of all abilities, a variety of slides, a ninja climbing ramp and an obstacle course.
The playground will also feature "MOVMNT Xtreme" — a video game that gets kids moving around and is powered by kids turning a crank.
The village is running a capital campaign to purchase poured-in-place surfacing — the squishy rubber flooring on playgrounds — to be placed under the entire playground.
Installation of the playground is tentatively planned for August and is expected to be ready for use by Labor Day.
Two play areas will be installed at Harrison's Farmers Field Park
Two new age-appropriate playgrounds with woodchips underneath were recently installed at Farmers Field Park in Harrison.
One playground will be for ages two to five and the other for ages five to 12. The playgrounds are currently ready to be played on.
New inclusive playground coming to Kaukauna's La Follette Park
La Follette Park is switching out its current playground for a new inclusive play space.
The new playground will have a universal swing, lower transfer platforms for easier access and a rubber ground to allow mobility devices to access the equipment.
Additionally, the playground will be sectioned into age-related equipment for kids 2 to 5 and kids 6 to 12.
Equipment is expected to be ready to play on by the first week of June.
Inclusive splash pad coming to Little Chute's Van Lieshout Park
Work on an inclusive splash pad in Little Chute's Van Lieshout Park will occur this summer to bring a greater recreational experience for residents on the north side of the village.
Water features will include 15 sensor-activated spray features, including water cannons, bucket dumps and water umbrellas.
The splash pad will have zones for different age groups so younger kids can splash around in one area while older kids can reach and interact with water features in another area.
There are also plans to have concrete flooring allowing kids of all abilities can play and added shaded seating areas around the playground and splash pad.
Village officials expect construction to wrap up in 2024, giving kids a place to play and cool off by summer 2025.
Sophia Voight covers local government and politics in the Fox Valley for The Post-Crescent. She can be reached with feedback and story tips at svoight@postcrescent.com.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: New play areas coming to Kaukauna, Little Chute, Kimberly, Harrison
