A nonprofit organization is being formed to help fundraising efforts for a new playground at Zippel Park in Gillett.
City officials and volunteers have been working for more than a year to raise money and generate interest in modern, more inclusive equipment to replace the aging playground area.
During the Sept. 5 meeting of the Gillett City Council, Alderperson Jerry Luther said organizers are planning a kickoff event during the Harvest Days and homecoming celebration Oct. 12 at Gillett Secondary School. Raffle tickets are also planned.
The group had contemplated a kickoff event in the high school auditorium but decided something in conjunction with Harvest Days would be a better idea.
“That’s when we’re going to have the best crowd,” Luther said. “We felt this would be probably the biggest group of people from the area, plus alumni, to let it be known that this is taking place.”
Luther reported on an Aug. 27 meeting of the city parks committee with Art Bahr, community development manager from MSA, the consulting firm that is working with the city to develop the playground plans and find opportunities for grant money.
The panel walked through the park with Bahr and another MSA consultant to discuss what features the city wants to include in the application, the new playground’s location, where restrooms could be located, ADA compliance and other potential issues, according to the meeting minutes.
MSA offered to put a booth up at Harvest Fest and possibly the homecoming game the night before, to put up pictures and answer questions, Luther said.
wbluhm@newmedia-wi.com
Zippel Park playground project taking form
