Work on Abendschein Park Upgrades to Begin

With baseball wrapped up at for the year, construction will begin soon a series of upgrades to the park.

The city plans to construct a building at the baseball diamond that will hold a concession stand, bathrooms and storage space. Other improvements include two new pedestrian bridges and work on pedestrian trails, a retention pond, storm sewer, street lighting and an expanded parking lot.

The Oak Creek Common Council approved the project and on Tuesday approved a $1 million contract with Willkomm Excavating & Grading.

The bulk of the work will be paid for through park fees. The city has also received about $247,000 in grant money for the project.

This year's work is phase two of an eight-phase comprehensive plan for the 64-acre park — named after the city's first mayor — that is to be implemented over the course of several years.

In the first phase, a skate park and two open field areas that can be used for soccer, football or other recreational activities were added. More trails and another parking lot are planned for future construction.