Tomahawk community celebrates grand opening of ‘Our Dream Park’

By Jalen Maki

Tomahawk Leader Editor

TOMAHAWK – A dream more than three years in the making is now a reality, and the Tomahawk community came together this past weekend to celebrate.

The grand opening ceremony for the newly-renovated Washington Square Park, also known as “Our Dream Park,” was held on Saturday, Sept. 7.

The all-inclusive park features a base made from rubberized surfacing, a splash pad and a resurfaced basketball area.

Some of the playground features include a duo zip line, a serenity area, a musical component, a multiuser swing and a modular play structure for ages 2-5 and 5-12, as well as a fitness area for those 12 and older.

The splash pad is a “pass through” water system designed with features of the Northwoods, including an oak tree with a small water dump, spray jets from the ground, a pine tree, fish, a butterfly and other fun water features. There are play areas designed for toddlers, families and teens.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements, as well as upgrades to infrastructure, lighting, fencing, walkways, seating, shade structures and parking, have also been made to the park.

Numerous people involved with the park project in a variety of capacities were on hand for the Saturday ceremony, including Tomahawk Mayor Steve Taskay; Tomahawk Together members Steve Kahle, Kay Kissinger Wolf and Sue Hawkins; and representatives from the Bierman Family Foundation, ARC of Lincoln County, the Walter Ristau Trust Fund and S.D. Ellenbecker Inc., the project’s engineering firm.

The Tomahawk Ambassadors welcomed the new addition to the city, and youngsters involved in the Tomahawk Children’s Theater lent a hand by demonstrating how to use the various play apparatuses.

As the ribbon was cut, children ran to the different play elements in the playground and even braved the chilly weather to try out the splash pad.

One child who followed the construction whenever she passed by the park was Layla Schiltz, who called the grand opening “the best day ever.”

Layla’s mom, Niki Schiltz, said she was awed by “the sense of community and to see so many kids that are able to play.”

“Big kids are helping the little kids,” she stated. “And the sense of joy, and the smiles that you see on all of the kids, the parents; everybody just has that sense of community and belonging, and everybody’s together."

Tomahawk Ambassador Kathy Rechsteiner summed up the day’s excitement.

“This park is amazing,” she said. “Walking around and seeing all the variety, it just really makes me want to be a kid again. I’m just eating this up. My heart is filled with happiness to see all the smiles, the giggles and the camaraderie by all the children. It’s a beautiful, beautiful happening in our wonderful Tomahawk, Wisconsin.” 

How a dream became reality

The opening of the park is the pinnacle of a more than three-year-long journey taken on by a local organization and the City of Tomahawk.

In June 2021, Tomahawk Together, a nonprofit organization that has worked to support families and youth in the community for 30-plus years, approached the City of Tomahawk with a dream of building a new, all-inclusive playground in Washington Square Park. The group’s idea was for the playground and its equipment to be accessible by children of all ages and abilities.

Meanwhile, an Outdoor Recreation Plan survey conducted by the city showed overwhelming community support for a splash pad, which led to the city and Tomahawk Together partnering up and pursuing both a new playground and a splash pad in a joint effort.

Tomahawk Together began raising funds, while the city tapped MSA Professional Services to spearhead the design process.

Ultimately, nearly $1.67 million was raised via donations from local individuals and organizations, including $1.5 million from the Bierman Family Foundation and $30,000.00 from the Walter Ristau Trust Fund, an early supporter of the park.

The final nod to proceed was given after a large federal grant, written by MSA, came through.

After researching longevity, safety, customer service and community support, Tomahawk Together began working with Wisconsin-based playground company Lee Recreation LLC, while the city contracted with Vortex for the splash pad project.

In Oct. 2023, a groundbreaking ceremony was held. The event was attended by members of the public, including local kids, as well as representatives from numerous organizations involved with the project.

Site preparation and construction took place over the following months, and the park began to take shape earlier this year, with crews installing playground and splash pad equipment.

With the grand opening ceremony in the books, the park can now be enjoyed by all.