A sky walk with three sky cabins takes center stage giving kids a birds-eye view of the park and the riverfront. The children’s playground section includes several modern, fun takes on playground classics. Less than five other playgrounds like this exist in the US. Riverlife Park was part of the final phase of the development project, which includes the state-of-the-art playground equipment, a concessions building, and related site work. The first phase of the project included an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) publicly accessible pedestrian bridge, boat docks, kayak launches, a wharf, multi-use trail system, landscaping amenities, and riverbank restoration. The riverfront development is the culmination of more than 30 years of dedication to land assembly and funding from the Wausau Mayors and Council, supported by their Steering Committee and many generous donors. Stantec’s team of urban planners, landscape architects, engineers, and scientists worked with the City of Wausau to transform a nearly half-mile brownfield redevelopment along the Wisconsin River shoreline into a regional recreation and entertainment waterfront destination. The playground was designed as part of the Wausau Riverfront Development. “Once that information is ready, we will consider a proposal that outlines the items we directed staff to work on and clarify to fine tune some of the details that were not in the proposal,” Rasmussen said.Īccording to Schock, formal approval could come as early as January.Along the Wisconsin River, next to the Bridge Street bridge in Wausau, Wisconsin, lies Riverlife Park-a destination park and playground that includes a play structure that is one of the largest in the US. All amenities will be located steps from the river, along the riverfront trail.Ĭonstruction began in May and is due for completion in the spring of 2019.īefore Briq’s plan is approved, city staff will negotiate with the business on rent rates and contract terms, Rasmussen said. The concession stand is part of Riverlife Park, a roughly $4.6 million project that will include state of the art playground equipment, outdoor exercise equipment, climbing nets and other features. “That alleviates park dept staff having to perform those tasks, and the overhead associated with staffing that function with public employees,” said Lisa Rasmussen, city council president.
The proposal also includes maintenance on the restrooms as well as management of other amenities such as bike and kayak rentals that are envisioned for the area. Utilities would be Briq’s responsibility.īriq’s is interested in pursuing a possible low-interest loan from the city for necessary equipment such as machinery and signage but did not make a specific request for funding. Briq’s would pay all personal property taxes as require by law and Wausau would pay any required real estate taxes. The plan calls for a monthly lease rate of $750 per month for a three-year term, with options to renew at a 3 percent increase for each three-year term thereafter. 1 depending on weather, offering “grab and go” snacks in addition to soft-serve ice cream. Under the proposed terms, Briq’s at Riverlife Park would operate from approximately May 1 through Oct. The proposal, from Holly and Kevin Briquelet Miller, was discussed Tuesday at a meeting of the economic development committee. Briq’s currently operates seasonal locations in Wausau, Weston, Rib Mountain, Mosinee, Merrill, Rhinelander and Minocqua. A well-known local soft-serve ice cream vendor with seven central and northern Wisconsin locations is proposing operating a riverfront concession operation now under construction in Wausau.īriq’s was the sole business to respond to Wausau’s request for proposals for the operation, according to Economic Development Director Chris Schock.