Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
Development projects at two city parks and improvements planned at Huckleberry Harbor have gotten a financial shot in the arm this year from outside sources, significantly easing capital project budget demands at the Shawano Park and Recreation Department.
Park and Recreation Director Matt Hendricks said the city has received more than $270,000 in “outside money” this year to assist in developing Franklin and Smalley parks, improve the boat launch at Huckleberry Harbor and help purchase properties along the Wolf River where the city hopes to someday complete a walking trail.
“It shows there’s a belief that the city’s park system has a lot of potential and people want to support it,” he said.
The development of Franklin Park is moving ahead rapidly.
The city has completed grading and filling at the park, and the snow fences have come down, Hendricks said.
A wet summer has helped cultivate plenty of green space.
“It’s been a great season for growing grass,” Hendricks said.
The next big development at Franklin Park will be a massive tree-planting project scheduled for Oct. 10.
Volunteers from Premier Community Bank, city staff and others will plant 40 trees in a single day, Hendricks said.
Also coming soon as part of the first phase of the Franklin Park project will be infrastructure improvements at the northeast corner of the park for the farmers market and park trails.
The park and recreation department estimated it would cost $120,000 for the Franklin Park improvements, but those costs have been offset somewhat by a $15,000 donation from the Rotary club and $20,000 from the Shawano County Tourism Council.
The department also saved more than $30,000 by using fill from streets projects for the grading effort.
Meanwhile, at Smalley Park, the city has partnered with the Shawano Ski Sharks to split the cost of a new performance area for the Ski Sharks and an amphitheatre for its audience.
The city also received $50,000 from the Shawano County Tourism Council for the park.
At Huckleberry Harbor, boat launch improvements aimed at improving the quality of and access to the launch will be made next year thanks to a $72,000 grant from the Department of Natural Resources.
The DNR also provided the city with a grant of $111,280 earlier this year, to help pay the costs of property purchases already made along the Wolf River to make way for a future walking trail.
Smaller, private donations have also been made, including $5,000 for a veterans memorial and $3,000 for rec center improvements.