Sept. 3, 2026
VIROQUA Wis. – Viroqua is calling on local residents to loan heavy tools and donate safety gear as the city prepares for a massive community build to construct the new Eckhart Enchantment playground.
The volunteer construction effort is scheduled to run from September 29 through October 4. The project represents the culmination of a year long community campaign to replace the decaying 1996 “Dragon Park” playground, which was closed and demolished in July after rotting support posts and broken equipment raised safety hazards.
To make the project a reality while staying within Viroqua’s tight municipal budget, the city is utilizing a community build model under the guidance of Play by Design, a custom playground firm. This approach secures a $75,000 volunteer credit, reducing the overall price tag of the play structure from $746,000 to approximately $671,000. The Viroqua Common Council approved $375,000 in Tax Increment District 6 funds for the project, tasking the volunteer committee with fundraising the remaining $244,000.
Volunteer coordinator Kim Littel explained that local civic groups are stepping up to run the logistics of the construction week, with the Eagles Auxiliary agreeing to manage the volunteer food tent.
“The Eagles auxiliary said they would take care of all the food things,” said Littel. “We just need to let them know when we get closer to that, and they will arrange all the food and get volunteers.”
To qualify for the state design credit and keep construction on schedule, the city must mobilize 40 adult volunteers aged 21 and older for each of the daily shifts. Park and Recreation Committee Chair Steve Willis explained that the build shifts have been streamlined into two daily slots to make it easier for local workers and volunteers to participate.
“I’m confident, with the help of the lions, that we can get those volunteers,” said Willis. “I’ve had plenty of construction folks I’ve talked to that they’d be willing to volunteer their time for at least a day.”
In addition to physical labor, the Eckhart Park Playground Committee is appealing to the community to loan specialized construction equipment.
If you’re able to borrow or donate any items to the project, please contact the Parks and Recreation office at 608-637-7183 or email: viroquarec@viroqua-wisconsin.com
Organizers are asking residents to deliver all borrowed tools to the Parks and Recreation office at 320 Tom Henry Court by September 24. All borrowed equipment will be returned to owners after October 5.
Specifically, the committee needs:
- 1 large enclosed trailer of 18 feet or more in length to store construction materials securely on site from September 23 through October 6
- 2- 12 inch sliding compound miter saws
- 8 wheelbarrows
- 5 manual post hole diggers.
The committee is also accepting outright donations of disposable safety gear and construction supplies.
Items include:
- 40 pairs of safety glasses,
- 50 pairs of cotton work gloves in medium, large, and extra large sizes,
- 5 large tarps of at least 20 feet by 30 feet
- 500 feet of three eighths inch rope
- 500 large 16 ounce plastic cups to organize screws on the work site.
Viroqua Park and Recreation Director Kale Proksch urged residents to look through their garages and workshops, noting that every loaned tool directly offsets construction costs and helps support the park department’s small staff.
The new playground layout, which was custom designed based on local elementary school surveys, will preserve the mature oak trees and feature a composite wood look structure with a signature green dragon slide, a space shuttle cockpit climb, a double zip line, and a therapeutic disk swing.
Mayor Krista Browne praised the community wide effort, noting that Viroqua’s active volunteer culture is what makes the town a unique place to raise families.
“We’re going to have a park that we’re going to build together again, that we’re all going to love, and we get to do this all again,” said Browne
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