Politics & Government

Unique 'Learning Trail' for Toddlers May Be Coming to Sussex Park

United Way is taking steps to improve park by installing a place where toddlers can learn and play.

A trail in Sussex might soon be upgraded to a "learning trail," a place where parents can take their toddlers play interactive and educational games, all at no cost to the village.

The Parks and Recreation Board unanimously recommended the installation of a Born Learning Trail to the Village Board after a presentation during Monday’s meeting.

The trail is an interactive way for parents to play with their toddlers outside while learning through different games and tasks. The trail would have things like hopscotch and the ABCs painted on the pavement. It would also have 10 signs lining the trail with fun activities and directions to help a child learn.

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Signs would say things like, “Call out a number and ask your child to stand on it. Take turns.”

Lori Hayes, a Sussex resident and Waukesha County United Way member, met with the board to talk about the volunteer project. The trail is a part of United Way's Born Learning campaign across the United States. The group has already completed installations in parks in neighboring communities, including Waukesha’s Heyer Park.

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Hayes has been working with Powersports Network in Sussex to sponsor the project. If confirmed, the company would pay for the materials, install it and maybe even keep it maintained.

“So this comes at no cost to the village?” asked board member Tim Dietrich. “All we have to do is provide a location?”

“That’s right. It’s paid for and installed,” Hayes said. “It’s really easy for you. And there’s not a lot of disruption to what’s already there.”

All that’s required is at least 100 feet of trail, preferably paved.  

Now the Parks and Recreation Board is looking into potential locations. During the meeting, a few members agreed that next to the would be a great fit. It already has a paved trail, and it’s close to the library and a playground.

The board asked Hayes to take a few pictures of the park and create a mockup of what it would potentially look like before making an official decision on the location.


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