Major upgrades are on the way for Sunset Park, as District 4 Alderman Spencer Gustafson announced new funding and expanded plans for the park’s aging playground.

“The playground is in bad need of replacement and we have a plan in place now to rejuvenate the equipment,” Gustafson said.

The project received a significant boost from an anonymous $180,000 grant along with a $60,000 Gateway to Play grant. Gustafson credited city staff for helping secure the funding.

“Municipal Services Director Mike Barker is tasked to find these grants and he came across the anonymous $180,000 grant for us,” he said.

Originally, the redesigned playground at Sunset Park was geared primarily toward older children, featuring rock climbing elements and zip line attractions. However, after hearing feedback from local families, plans were expanded to include a dedicated play area for children ages 2 to 5, an addition Gustafson said he strongly supported.

When completed, the playground will serve children ages 2 through 12 and older, with ADA-compliant features, Door County–inspired rock structures and turtle-themed play elements reflecting the nearby Little Lake shoreline.

Construction is expected to begin in late June.

With recent playground improvements also completed at Otumba Park, Gustafson called the Sunset Park project part of a broader investment in local families.

“This is a huge win,” he said. “It is awesome to see folks investing their hard earned money into things that just make our city better.”