Kaukauna Hydro Park

For over a decade, Kaukauna Utilities (KU) collaborated with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to secure a new license for upgrading the Badger Hydro Plant in downtown Kaukauna. This project included constructing a new powerhouse and modifying the power canal, located within the historic Badger Hydro-Electric District, which has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1991.

A key aspect of the licensing agreement required KU to redevelop the old Badger facility and decommissioned portions of the power canal. This redevelopment included the creation of a community park that honors the area's hydroelectric legacy. The park’s design incorporated historic elements outlined in the Historic Resources Management Plan, intended to educate visitors about the crucial role hydroelectric power played in the region’s development.

GRAEF partnered with KU, city officials, and community members to shape the early phases of the park’s development. Together, they created a schematic master plan through stakeholder workshops, ensuring the public’s voice was integral to the park’s design.

A significant portion of the power canal was filled in, with a new retaining wall constructed. However, parts of the original limestone canal wall were left exposed, preserving a visual link to the site’s industrial past. The design also featured an overlook with views of the new powerhouse and remaining canal, as well as a large turbine impeller—a relic from the site's hydroelectric history. To further celebrate this legacy, the park included historical educational stations, an outdoor performance area, gathering spaces, and trail connections, seamlessly blending the past with the present while providing a space for the community to enjoy.