For many years, Hickory Hill Park has been a nice place for people to walk, play disc golf, and spend time outside. Now, thanks to a hardworking park committee and support from the community, the park is getting a big update.
“The idea started several years ago when we formed a park committee,” Sarah Steiner said. About four years ago, the group began raising money to build a new pavilion. That was the first big project they completed.
After the pavilion was finished, the group started thinking about bigger changes. “Once the pavilion was done, we started asking what else our park could become,” Sarah Steiner explained. They worked to make the park a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and formed a board to help plan for the future. The board asked community members for ideas and feedback. Then they worked with the University of Wisconsin–Platteville Civil Engineering to create a master plan.
The plan includes two to four pickleball courts, a new ADA-compliant playground, another pavilion, a 53-stall parking lot, a dog park, and a full basketball court. These things have not been built yet, but they are part of the plan. The walking trails, disc golf course, and restrooms will stay the same.
“When will it be done? That depends on how much money we raise,” Sarah Steiner said. The project is divided into four phases so it can be completed step by step. The first goal is to put in two pickleball courts by this summer. After that, they hope to begin part of the parking lot. “We are applying for grants and planning fundraisers,” Sarah Steiner said. “We will rely on grants, donations, and fundraising to finish the project.”
The Hickory Hill Park Committee believes the updated park could also help local businesses. “By improving the park, it could benefit the whole community,” Carol Kaiser said. In the future, people who come to play pickleball or use the new playground might visit the local brewery or stop at Haverland's Store. Families who have reunions at the park might rent cabins at Pine Point Cabins. “We hope people from our community and outside of it will come enjoy the park,” Carol Kaiser added.
In the end, the goal is simple. “We just want to see people using and enjoying the park,” Steiner said. The park committee is also looking for more members. “We meet once a quarter and talk about the future of the park,” Sarah Steiner said. Anyone who wants to help is welcome to join.