Menomonee Falls and Sussex parks will have new features for the summer

A lighted splash pad feature and more pickleball courts are among the added features coming to parks in Menomonee Falls and Sussex.

Menomonee Falls is just completing its Village Park renovation project and will be having its grand opening soon for its splash pad/lighting feature. Sussex will have one of its parks closed for part of the summer, but when it opens near the end of the summer, there will be improvements for the community to enjoy.

Here's a closer look at what's going on at both parks.

What is new at Village Park? New this summer is a splash pad/lighting feature, an all-inclusive children's play area and tennis and pickleball court upgrades. The park had six tennis courts before the upgrades. With these upgrades, two have been converted to permanent pickleball courts, two were renovated and are still tennis courts and the other two were eliminated to make room for the splash pad/lighting feature.

There is also a new picnic shelter and more seating areas.

Location: N87 W16749 Garfield Drive, Menomonee Falls

What will the splash feature be like? The 1,250-square-foot circular splash feature will have ground, sensor-activated fountains and LED lights that can change colors.

What will the children's play area include? The 13,000-square-foot all-inclusive children's play area has a central multi-level climbing feature, an accessible swing and merry-go-round, toddler play structures, swings and a play hill. There also is a rubber surface so it's easier for those with wheelchairs and mobility issues to get around.

When will it open? The children's play area, picnic area and the tennis and pickleball are already completed and open to the public. The grand opening ceremony for the splash feature will be at 5 p.m. May 19 at Village Park. Depending on weather, the splash pad/lighting feature will remain open until Labor Day weekend.

After the ceremony, there will be food trucks, live music, a beer garden and a popcorn wagon for the first Falls Family Movie Night. The movie "Toy Story" will begin at dusk.

Hours: Village Park is open from 6 a.m. to a half-hour after sunset; The splash pad/ lighting feature hours are from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. with extended hours if there is a late-night concert.

For further updates and more information: Visit bit.ly/FallsVillagePark.

What will be new at Melinda Weaver Park: The improvements at Melinda Weaver Park include four permanent pickleball courts, one permanent tennis court and the striping for 2 portable-net pickleball courts. The basketball court will be resurfaced to enable more full court basketball. There will also be vinyl fencing, a drinking fountain, a patio and a seasonal portable restroom. In these improvements, one tennis court will be eliminated to make room for the pickleball court.

Location: W239 N6046 Maple Ave., Sussex

When will construction begin? Construction is slated to begin May 15. The park will be closed until construction is completed.

When will the project be completed? The project is slated for completion near the end of the summer.

For further information and more updates: Visit the Village of Sussex Facebook page at www.facebook.com/VillageSussex.

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Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @kozlowicz_cathy