WAUPACA, WI – The City of Waupaca is moving ahead with long-planned upgrades at Eco Park, thanks in part to new funding that Parks and Recreation Director Laura Colbert says will allow the project to finally take shape.
Colbert said the city is planning to install a nature-based playground built from black locust wood, designed to encourage creative and unstructured play. Unlike traditional steel-and-plastic playgrounds, the new playscape will focus on imagination, movement, and interaction with natural elements.
Colbert noted that much of the existing infrastructure at Eco Park has been aging and deteriorating, making the upgrades both necessary and timely. She said the improvements are intended to better serve families while aligning with the park’s natural setting.
The city is also continuing its fundraising efforts to support the project. Colbert said the city has reached about half of its overall fundraising goal. If the full amount is not secured, the plan allows for a smaller initial playground to be installed, with the ability to expand the project in future phases.
Looking ahead, Colbert said the city is targeting a groundbreaking in the fall of 2026. If the project timeline needs to be adjusted, construction would likely begin in 2027. City officials say updates on fundraising progress and construction timelines will be shared as the project continues to move forward.
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