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LA CRESCENT, Minn. (WKBT) — La Crescent officials celebrated improvements to Wieser Park on Tuesday with a ribbon cutting highlighting a new accessible playground and a solar energy system that makes the pavilion the community’s first net-zero building.
The new playground replaces an aging metal structure with a modern, accessible design featuring a poured-in-place surface that accommodates wheelchairs and children of all abilities.
“The old playground was quite small, metal, really old, didn’t have many amenities. This new playground with the poured-in-place surface is accessible, wheelchairs and all kids can use,” said Jason Ludwigson, Sustainability Coordinator.
The solar photovoltaic system installed on the pavilion roof generates enough electricity annually to power the building year-round, eliminating the need for grid electricity.
“All the energy that’s going to be used over the year, that system is going to generate as much as the building is using,” Ludwigson explained. “So, for the period of the year-to-year, it’s going to generate electricity at the building.”
The solar installation offers multiple benefits to the city. Electricity produced on-site reduces transmission costs and eliminates pollution and noise associated with grid power. The system also lowers the city’s annual energy expenses.
“That electricity is produced here. It goes right into the building, so you reduce transmission costs. There’s no pollution with that energy. There’s no noise. Reduce costs for the city in terms of energy costs,” Ludwigson said.
The playground improvements were made possible through a Minnesota DNR Outdoor Recreation Grant, while the solar project was funded by the Minnesota Department of Commerce Solar on Public Buildings Program.
Ludwigson emphasized the importance of state and local partnerships in completing such projects. “The city isn’t able to do these projects without support from the state and other partnerships. That includes the county, the township. This used to be a township park, and they turned it over to the city. The Minnesota DNR supported the outdoor recreation grant, and the Minnesota Commerce Department is supporting the solar on public buildings grant. So those partnerships are really important.”
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