In 2020, MSA began a study for the Village of West Baraboo to assess 38 acres of geographically rich pine forest land — owned by the Village — to inform the development of a master plan for a proposed new park in the area. As the master plan developed, the Village purchased an additional seven acres from a private property owner, which expanded the usable area to 45 acres. The property is heavily forested with hilly terrain and, at the time, had been mainly used as a local hiking area with a network of informal trails throughout.

After review of the site conditions and opportunities, MSA formalized the guiding document which would assist in creating the largest park in the West Baraboo system — Village Forest Park. Plans for the park included expanding and looping the existing hiking trails to create longer hiking distances that would also connect into the National Park Service’s Ice Age National Scenic Trail, a 1,000-mile footpath contained entirely within the state of Wisconsin. Other park amenities would include new multiuse connection trails, new 250-foot pedestrian and bicycle bridge, overlook, pavilion building with restrooms, a pump track for off-road bikes, playground and seasonal sledding hill.

The Village pursued various funding opportunities to finance the project and ultimately secured a $2.5-million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), which served as a catalyst to begin construction of the first phase of park development. MSA was asked to lead the design of the phase-one improvements which involved extensive site grading of the hilly terrain to create accessible, ADA-compliant trail and recreational spaces, construction of a new park pavilion with restrooms and a seasonal kitchenette, new playground area, new parking area, connecting trails into West Baraboo business districts, new trailhead amenities and open green and lawn space.

The new Village Forest Park design was completed in the summer of 2022. The project was divided into separate bid packages to allow for phased completion of tree removal, site development and park pavilion construction. The packages were all bid successfully, and construction commenced in the summer/fall of 2022.

A contemporary new park pavilion stands as the centerpiece building.  The pavilion supports the park and trail usage with multiple functions.  At the east end, a covered area serves as a trailhead with trail information, maps and shade.  This area also accommodates auxiliary music events facing the central park green space with power and a covered area for performers. Men’s, women’s and a family restroom are located around a central common mechanical space for ease of maintenance and easily accessible from the central playground area. A covered shelter faces the westerly forest with extended patio space for large gatherings and amenities that include a grilling station, wall-mounted counters and an enclosed support/serving room with a large central coiling door/counter to best stage food and drinks for gatherings.

The Village celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and luncheon at the new facility on September 16, 2023, including a recognition of the efforts of local firefighters and speeches by Village President Mike Arndt, Sauk County Board Member Tim McCumber, Executive Director of the Baraboo Chamber of Commerce George Althoff, Village of West Baraboo/MSA Engineer Brad Stuczynski and Wisconsin State Representative Dave Considine.