Heesakker Park Staircase

raSmith provided civil engineering, site design, surveying, and construction services to support the replacement of the existing staircase at Heesakker Park — a popular community destination in the Village of Little Chute. Designed to blend naturally into the surrounding landscape, the new staircase serves as both a functional improvement and a visual enhancement to the park. To improve user comfort and safety, the design incorporated landings for resting, durable low-maintenance materials, and grading improvements that promote proper drainage and prevent water from accumulating on the stairs.

During construction, raSmith worked closely with the contractor and Village staff to deliver the project on schedule and under budget, enabling the Village to maximize available funding. With no contingency funds available, the team developed innovative construction approaches to install the wooden staircase on a steep, heavily wooded slope with limited equipment access. Careful coordination helped preserve the park’s natural character and numerous mature trees while constructing the staircase through a deep ravine. The work was completed safely and efficiently while maintaining public access to the park throughout construction.