Below is a contribution from GMPT Business Member WSB, authored by Kassidy Przymus. For more information, please visit wsbeng.com.

Forge Ahead

WSB is a rapidly growing design and consulting firm with a proven record of helping communities plan, design, and deliver meaningful infrastructure solutions. As a national infrastructure company, WSB brings together services across engineering, planning, environmental, and construction disciplines, giving clients access to a broad range of expertise through one collaborative team. Through this integrated approach, WSB partners with clients and communities across the nation to develop creative, innovative solutions for projects of every scale.

Designing Active and Useful Spaces

WSB has a longstanding reputation for designing public spaces that create meaningful, lasting value for the communities we serve. Our team partners with clients to strengthen community connections through places that promote diversity, support inclusivity, and inspire creativity. Guided by a forward-looking design approach, we help deliver public spaces that are welcoming, purposeful, and built to be enjoyed for generations.

Project Highlight - Silver Lake Park, Rochester, Minnesota

WSB was selected to lead the design of the Silver Lake Park Redevelopment, located just north of downtown Rochester near the Mayo Clinic. As the prime consultant, WSB assembled a team of specialty subconsultants to support key project components, including CRW Architects, Full Circle Planning and Design, EDI-Dolejs, USAquatics, and California Skateparks. The redevelopment focused on four primary areas:

• Aquatics Facility
• Playground Improvements
• Tribal Gathering Area
• Skate Park Expansion

Aquatics Facility

The Aquatics Facility replaced the park’s existing pool and support buildings with a modern, more accessible recreation area. The new facility includes a fully fenced lap pool, a zero-entry wading pool, and shaded seating throughout the pool deck. There is also a splash pad with unique, distinctive overhead play elements near the entrance. A new pool building provides updated restrooms, showers, and concessions, while a basketball court on the south side of the pool area expands recreation opportunities for other park users. Walkways connecting the pool to the parking lot were also upgraded to meet current accessibility standards. The pool opened in spring 2026 and continues to be a popular summer destination.

Playground Improvements

Located on the northwest side of Silver Lake Park, the playground received full reconstruction with new Burke Playground equipment, ADA-compliant sidewalks, and a layout designed to welcome children and young adults of varying ages and abilities. The play area is organized into three zones: one for toddlers, one for children ages 4 to 12, and a unique pod designed for climbing and exploration. Together, these spaces create a more inclusive and engaging destination for a wide range of users. A 22-foot-tall climbing and sliding structure beneath the adjacent tree canopies adds a memorable vertical play experience, while meandering paths and outer walks improve circulation throughout the playground.

Tribal Gathering Space

The Tribal Gathering Space is located on the southern edge of Silver Lake Park, on a peninsula-like area along Silver Lake. This portion of the project creates a dedicated destination for local Native American groups, including GRADS, the Greater Rochester Area Dakota Supporters, with space for gatherings, events, and ceremonies. Rochester serves as a regional hub for several Native tribes in Minnesota, making this lakeside setting an important community amenity. Designed with native Minnesota plants and local materials, the gathering space includes a flagstone circle, limestone bench seating, room for a drum circle, and a fire pit to support larger ceremonies. Its location along the water also reinforces connections to fire, earth, wind, water, and air within the tribal community.

Skate Park Expansion

The current skate park is being modified to accommodate the advanced skaters that currently use the park. These modifications include creating larger areas for groups of all ages and experience levels to use. There is also a new flow bowl, large in scale, to be placed on site for more advanced skating skills. A medium-sized picnic shelter is proposed to provide additional shade in the area, with multiple seating options available. Construction for this part of the project will begin in Fall 2026, with an expected completion date of late Spring 2027.

Figure 1: Aquatics Facility. Photo taken on August 21, 2026.

Figure 2: Playground Improvements. Photo taken on August 21, 2026.

Figure 3: Tribal Gathering Space. Photo taken on August 21, 2026.

For more information, please visit wsbeng.com or contact Jason Amberg via jamberg@wsbeng.com.