Gillett officials discuss Zippel Park’s future

Gillett city and business leaders have begun talks about upgrades to the buildings and grounds at Zippel Park.

The park on North McKenzie Street is the biggest public green space in the city and site of the Oconto County Youth Fair for decades.

During the Nov. 3 meeting of the Gillett City Council, Mayor Josh McCarthy said a roundtable discussion was held recently to talk about how to use Zippel Park more efficiently, along with possibilities for added facilities.

The conversation included representatives of the Oconto County Fair Board, the Oconto County Economic Development Corp., the Roy Hubbard Memorial Truck Show, and the new Gillett Area Chamber of Commerce. The Fourth of July Committee is also part of the equation but wasn’t able to attend the first meeting, McCarthy said.

“I thought it was a really good discussion,” he said.

Any improvements would go in phases and likely would be up to whatever club or organization wants to be involved in raising funds and applying for grants.

The city is definitely committed to installing new playground equipment, McCarthy said. Discussion are in the “infant stages,” but he said it would be nice to have “some sort of physical fitness activity area near our largest green space.”

Alderperson Gary Spaulding said looking at a plan for the future development of Zippel Park is “a good thing,” but he suggested the playground area be moved away from the Main Street.

“Over here when we have activities we have road traffic, you got all that stuff that the kids can get in trouble with, and over there it’s more quiet, more peaceful,” Spaulding said.

McCarthy said the clubs and organizations seemed to appreciate being invited to the table.

“They really liked that the city of Gillett opened up to them, so they could have an open line of communication,” he said.

Any future projects will come down to money, as far as who builds and maintain them, McCarthy said.

Utility operator Ron Anderson added a postscript to the discussion, reflecting the current state of the supply chain.

“Just so you know, I got an email today, playground equipment is a year out if you order today,” Anderson said.