The Wisconsin Chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) named the City of Appleton, Wisconsin Erb Park and Swimming Pool project a State Finalist.

Erb Park and Swimming Pool brought the City a new and improved outdoor aquatic facility for their community to use for years to come. Carter Arndt, AIA, MSA’s lead architect said, “We enjoyed working with the City to assess and consider both short- and long-term facility needs and respond with the most appropriate solutions.”

Appleton’s support of this project was impressive, noted MSA Senior Project Engineer, Raine Gardner, PE. “With the input from key stakeholders, we were able to design a recreational space that will positively impact Appleton residents and visitors for decades to come.”

While designing the facility, ideas were constantly explored while understanding that the design needed to be as aesthetic as functional. Ideas included moving parking closer to the pool for safety and ease of access, incorporating permeable paving and bioinfiltration planters to serve a needed stormwater function, designing an elegant comprehensive trail system and creating exciting opportunities for children by rethinking the playground design.

Gardner, like other members of the team, understood how significant Erb Park’s value was to the residents of Appleton. Many grew up going to the park and now take their children there. “I love designing parks because I have a passion for the natural and built environments and for how people interact with them,” she said. “Parks help improve people’s quality of life by exposing them to nature, facilitating physical activity and encouraging people to come together.”

Now, Gardner, Arndt and others on the MSA team, are proud of the new and improved Erb Park and Pool for Appleton’s residents and visitors. This project is more than infrastructure; it will help create lifelong memories for its users. Learn more about the project here.