KAUKAUNA, Wis. (WFRV) – Kaukauna High School students are working to bring life to the city’s most popular sledding hill.
Locals know the hill as Mount Misery, but Kaukauna High School’s Civic Engagement class is looking to turn it into much more.
Tim Roehrig, who teaches the class, says the idea started a few years ago.
“Some students in 2021 were complaining about having nothing to do in the Fox Cities, so I said, ‘Let’s do something about it,’” Roehrig said.
Now, it has evolved into a $1.65 million project, and students hope to complete phase one by winter 2026.
“We are about $90,000 from phase one, which will put in our sledding hill,” Oriana Gitener, a student participating in the project, said.
Phase one includes lights, a snow groomer and a tow rope to assist riders in getting back up the hill.
Later phases include an ice rink and a warming shelter, turning the space into a destination for the Fox Valley.
“It will make a big impact…having a sledding hill, ice skating rink and warming shelter will be great for families to do,” student Lily Wednt said. “It will be an attraction to all the small businesses around Kaukauna and other areas.”
Roehrig says this gives students hands-on experience within the community.
“I’ve always said that it is really important for high school kids to feel like they can feel empowered to make a change and make a difference,” Roehrig said. “This is one way to show them that they can.”
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The class has already raised $650,000 through grants and donations.
Click here to learn more about the project.
