Daily Pioneer News

Left to Right: Gary Stark, Dean Brandt, Michael Stahller

PLATTEVILLE - Providing design options to improve a six-acre park in Sherrill, Iowa has proven to be a hands-on learning experience for three students from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

The three students are each participating in a senior design class and will be graduating this month. The design team includes Michael Stahller, originally from Rockford, Ill., majoring in environmental engineering; Dean Brandt, originally from Black River Falls, majoring in civil engineering with an emphasis in construction and transportation engineering; and Gary Stark, originally from Cleveland, majoring in civil engineering with an emphasis in transportation engineering.

The city council of Sherrill, Iowa, located north of Dubuque, requested the design team to layout location options for a new playground, walking path areas and a new pavilion.

Playground equipment for the park was received through a grant and the design team was responsible for providing the city council with the positive and negative outcomes for the different location options.

The desired locations for the walking path were to outline the current park boundaries. In meeting the requests of the city council, the design team provided a layout of two separate types of walking paths. One would be shorter for a less strenuous walk and the other would be longer, offering more levels of aerobic impact.

In designing the pavilion, the design team had to layout their plans in accordance to codes and regulations as well as keeping the building handicap accessible. The pavilion was to include a water, sewer, and electric hook-up, be enclosed for accessibility during three seasons of the year, and include a concrete floor.

Throughout the design and layout of the entire project, the design team has also been responsible for providing a cost estimate for all aspects of the design options.

Working on the project has provided the design team with valuable hands on experience including people and communication skills, learning to deal with geographical variations, and researching proper codes and regulations.

The design team has been aided and advised throughout their project by Dr. Mike Penn, associate professor in environmental engineering.