Kaukauna's Hydro Park opens Wednesday

KAUKAUNA — Hydro Park, a new downtown park that features the old canal on the Fox River, is all about showing off the city's history.

Kaukauna Utilities, with the help of the city and GRAEF, a local engineering, planning and design firm, came together to create a public space that encompasses all parts of the city and its residents, said Patrick Skalecki, project manager and principal for the GRAEF team. Before the renovation, the space was underutilized and underdeveloped.

"The goal was to make this a recreational and activity space and an amenity and feature that enhances downtown Kaukauna," Skalecki said. "We were brought in to make the park a reality."

Located at 100 Crooks Ave., the new park will host a grand opening Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 7, sponsored by the utility.

Skalecki said he and his team spoke to residents, city officials and utility employees to come up with a plan to use the space.

The team focused on maintaining the old canal and ensuring that visitors still could see how it used to function, he said. The park features information kiosks for visitors to learn about the city's history of hydro power and the river — two details that are frequently visible in the park's structure. Two large plazas are adorned with river stones that mimic the curvature and shape of the river, and granite planks present information about the lock system and hydro power history.

"It's a very satisfying project because it was a really neat partnership," Skalecki said.

The park, which cost nearly $2 million, in total, was funded by the utility, with little money coming from the city, said Jeff Feldt, general manager of the utility. Feldt said the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requires the utility to support recreational activities and spaces as part of the company's licensing, so creating a public space encompassing the history of the city and Fox River was natural.

"It provides a green space in the core of the city for the community," Feldt said. "It's a very beautiful space."

Bob Jakel, city director of planning and community development, said the park has already hosted a few events including the annual Walk for Suicide Awareness, which drew more than 3,000 people to the space, and expects the park to be well-utilized for various outdoor events in the future.

"It's been great because it now provides space for live music, festivals and art shows," Jakel said. "We could expand the farmer's market. It really means a lot. It's always better to have a nice, open space."

— Grace Ebert: 920-993-1000, ext. 252, or gebert@postcrescent.com; on Twitter @GRACE_EBERT

If you go

What: Kaukauna's Hydro Park grand opening

When: 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Hydro Park, 100 Crooks Ave., Kaukauna

Cost: Free