Sauk City Riverfront Park is located on the west bank of the Wisconsin River and extends from downtown Sauk City north to the neighboring Village of Prairie du Sac. For years, the community sought to make updates and additions to the park. Leaning on a long-standing history of partnering together, the Village of Sauk City asked MSA to lead in the development and design of plans for their revitalized riverfront park. MSA was also able to assist the Village in receiving two Stewardship Grants from the DNR, funding that provided the perfect catalyst to get the project started.

The conceptual park design included input from a variety of project stakeholders, Village staff, user groups and residents of all ages within the community. It incorporated an assessment of current land use and existing facilities as well as consideration of park and recreation trends in order to design for future use and the development of adjacent properties.

The existing park already had extensive walking and Nordic ski trails, as well as a beach area, shelter and several soccer fields. The Great Sauk State Trail also connects to, and runs through, the park. Along with other wish-list items, the community wished to expand upon the current soccer fields and capitalize upon the existing network of trails.

Final design work revealed an exciting array of new and expanded amenities that would be constructed: a new splash pad, playground, seven new irrigated and improved soccer fields, a zipline, ADA-compliant canoe and kayak launch, ADA-compliant restroom and concession building, parking lots, park lighting, landscaping, new access road and pedestrian path connecting visitors to the river.

An advanced stormwater management plan was also integral to the new park layout. MSA designed all related stormwater systems, new water main and sanitary sewer utilities. Park circulation was aligned to accommodate the new facilities and connect to Village utilities. In addition, stormwater modeling, floodplain analysis and an erosion control plan assisted with the park design, defining any floodplain impacts and ensuring the plan complied with necessary permitting.

The Sauk City Riverfront Park officially opened to the public on August 15, 2019, and finalized finishing touches in September, 2019.