PLANTING A FLAG IN THE GROUND. Fundraising is underway to build new amenities at Flag Hill, including a new accessible playground. (Submitted renderings)

Perched above Irvine Park in Chippewa Falls, Flag Hill is currently an open space ready for investments to make the entire park more accessible. Plans are in motion to build new amenities at Flag Hill, including a new staircase, plaza, parking lot, connectivity trail, and a new playground.

Those familiar with the area know plans for Flag Hill improvements have been underway for some time. John Jimenez became director of Chippewa Falls Parks, Recreation, and Forestry three years ago as initial improvement plans for Flag Hill were taking shape. Jimenez said the parks department first wanted to build a four-season restroom at the top of Flag Hill. Since completing a new pavilion in 2022, the entire hill has begun receiving a makeover.

“I really wanted to focus more on the accessibility of everything, and so that started simply with the type of benches we got for the pavilion,” Jimenez said. 

One of the first things Jimenez did upon joining the department was close the stairs leading from Irvine Park up to Flag Hill as they were deemed unsafe. The department has since also torn down the current playground, two shelters, and a parking lot to start fresh on top of the hill.

“I think one of my visions in this process was to connect the lower part to the upper part and provide that accessibility for people who are visiting to enjoy both amenities,” Jimenez explained. “The other half of this is to continue to expand on that accessibility.”

Having that amenity at (this) gem of the city would just increase the awe of what Irvine Park is.

john jimenez

director of chippewa Falls parks, recreation, and forestry dept.

Jimenez said he was inspired to focus on accessibility through Harper’s Playground, an organization based around creating inclusive playgrounds. Jimenez said all Chippewa Falls’ public playgrounds are up to ADA standards, but that doesn’t mean they are fully accessible to all kids.

Initially intending to break ground this May, the Flag Hill construction has hit a roadblock: In communications with their Eau Claire-based architecture company Ayres Associates, the planned budget has exceeded their initial estimates.

The parks department and Ayres are currently reevaluating the plan item by item. Their current goal is to build the stairs, new plaza, parking lot, and trail by the end of this year, pushing the playground to 2025.

The connectivity trail’s funding has been secured in the plan through a state Department of Natural Resources grant, but the rest of the planned amenities are under consideration and fundraising efforts have begun. The project currently has $655,700 set for construction efforts, and Jimenez has applied for another grant to help pay for the new playground.

Once construction is underway again, the existing pavilion won’t be available to reserve. The predicted effect on Irvine Park is some construction staging at the Hollow Parking Lot near the native wildflower sanctuary.

“Having that amenity at (this) gem of the city would just increase the awe of what Irvine Park is,” Jimenez said.

To follow the project or ask any questions check out the Chippewa Falls Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department’s website.