Groundbreaking begins $750,000 renovation of La Crosse’s Kids Coulee playground

The towering wooden playground known as Kids Coulee has been a fixture at Myrick Park in La Crosse for almost 30 years, but it needs some improvement.

The city Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse got together Monday with area contractors for the groundbreaking of a Kids Coulee renovation that could take several months to complete.

Kids Coulee, which includes several wooden platforms and towers, along with a stage area, was originally built by hundreds of volunteers in 1994. The renovation could cost up to $750,000.

Park department staffer Dan Trussoni said members of the public want the playground’s condition improved but also hope that the appearance of Kids Coulee won’t change.

Athletes from UW-L, along with officials from local construction firms, took part in a groundbreaking.