A major renovation is in the works for one of Oconto County’s most popular community parks.
Zippel Park consists of 17 acres in the middle of Gillett. The city is currently raising funds and securing grants to improve the park, a project expected to cost around $1 million.
Most of that cost includes moving the existing playground and replacing the existing equipment with new amenities, according to City Clerk-Treasurer Chelsea Anderson.
“We are looking to totally upgrade Zippel Park from equipment that is over 50 years old,” she said. “We will be moving the location of the playground away from the tractor pull track.”
That track is part of the Oconto County Youth Fair, which is held in the park each summer.
“We’re looking for grants and donations,” Anderson said. “Just the equipment is over $800,000, and we’re looking to add fountains and walking trails.”
Zippel Park has been a focal point of the community for years. Besides hosting the youth fair each year, it also hosts a Fourth of July event, the Roy Hubbard Memorial Truck Show, Christmas in the Park and the Gillett Fire Department’s annual corn roast.
Don’t look for the park improvements to happen anytime soon, Anderson said.
“We would like to get going in late 2026, but if we get the grants that we’re applying for, that funding takes 12-18 months, so we could be looking at 2027,” she said. “We have the OK to take $20,000 out of our savings account and we have another $10,000 in donations from local people.”
The city also recently received a $45,000 Vibrant Spaces grant through Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.
“We would like to use as much grant money as possible and not spend taxpayer dollars, but we don’t want to not put anything into it,” Anderson said. “Our public works will be doing all of the ground work and any other things it can do. We have Gillett Cement (Products) donating all the cement and L&N (Metal Works) donating benches. If we get a very large stewardship grant, it will all be done at the end of 2026 and the beginning of 2027. If we don’t get the large grant, it’ll be done in phases.”
If things fall into place, the improvements should be in place in time for the 2027 youth fair.
Chris Byars, president of the Gillett Area Chamber of Commerce and pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church, noted that Zippel Park has been in the community for a long time.
“There are some liability issues for when we have tractor pulls and things like that. There is some equipment that can’t be used,” Byars said. “The goal is to move (the playground) further away, closer to where we have our basketball courts.”
Other improvements are also planned, including refurbished basketball and pickleball courts; a park kiosk; multiple picnic stations; seating; and an ADA-compliant restroom.
“We’re looking at redoing our pickleball courts to make it more accessible for families to play pickleball and for kids to play in the playground safely,” Byars said. “The goal is to make it ADA-compliant. That way, children with wheelchairs and the like would be able to get up into certain parts. There would also be things for those with autism or sensory issues. They would be able to have spaces available to help create an even more family-friendly environment.”
The new playground will include a rubberized surface.
“We do have people with special needs in the community and they would be able to access it better than having wood chips or rubber chips,” Byars said. “You don’t have to worry about that getting caught in the wheels.”
Fundraising for the project has started.
“The goal is to have all the funds by the end of the year,” Byars said. “That way, we can break ground next year on the new equipment.”
Byars said reaction for the community so far has been positive.
“There are quite a few businesses like OJ’s Midtown (Restaurant),” he said. “They are also helping with the fundraising if people buy their shirts and things like that. Profits go toward the project. There are a lot of families within the community that are excited for something new because it is long overdue to get something that would be much nicer for families.”
The park also includes one of the trailheads for the Nicolet State Trail, a trail operated by Oconto, Forest and Florence counties that continues for nearly 90 miles to the Wisconsin-Michigan border. The trail is open to hiking, bicycling, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Portions of the trail are also open to all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles and horseback riding.
“As the trailhead opens up again, we’re going to see that parking lot full of trucks and trailers,” Byars said. “Some people park their ATVs on the street to go eat at OJ’s or some of the other restaurants down the block. We always want to promote that, too. It’s one of those little assets that people sometimes forget about.”
Improvements are also planned for a walking trail that connects Zippel Park with Honey Park, located on the other side of the fairgrounds.
“It’s in need of some TLC,” Byars said. “That way, there would be more accessibility between the two pavilions. Our goal is to make Gillett a healthy community that will have good walking trails, places to go and activities to get families to interact with each other. We have many good things to offer in this community and we want to be able to continue to welcome more people in to see what we have to offer.”
Byars said the chamber is working with Alderman Jerry Luther on the fundraising effort.
“We want to support the city in any way possible,” he said. “It’s a city project and they have a 501(c)(3) to help fund raise.”
Individuals and businesses interested in contributing toward the project can contact Anderson at 920-855-2255 or chelsea.anderson@cityofgillett.wi.gov.
“We are trying to work with all of our programs that come to the park like the fair,” Anderson said. “They would like to extend their track, so we’re just trying to think ahead. The beer stand is right next to the playground, so there’s going to be a little more separation between adults and kids.”
Byars said there is community support for the project.
“It’ll be very beneficial and raise the spirit of the community,” he said. “It’ll be a safe place for families. The goal is to make Zippel Park even more family-friendly.”
Major facelift planned for Gillett’s Zippel park
