The Park Committee of the Village of Iola met on Tuesday, Feb. 13, in the Iola Village Hall at 3 p.m.

Members present included Rick Meyers (chair), S. Dane, Pamela Parks, and Deputy Clerk Missy Fenn.

Christmas in the Park: Started talks of planning a Christmas in the Park at Taylor Field. After the annual Christmas parade on Dec. 7, 2024. Meet down at Taylor Field and have a Christmas Tree lighting. Caroling, Cocoa with Cops, food pantry donation, offer a drive through from Dec. 7 –Jan. ??, 2025, Dusk until 10-11 p.m. Get area businesses involved to decorate a tree. Donation cans set up for various needs throughout the Village.

Brat Fry(S): These will be held at Sentry Grocery store again this summer. Rick will be getting a hold of them to get some dates scheduled. Sales will be for all the parks and activities, not just dog park. 

Rosie Dog Park: The park has been getting a lot of use, very positive feedback from dog owners. Rick plans to reseed in March and get some trees planted. Talks with Glenn about getting the water source set up.

Benches: Looking for sponsors toward the donation of more benches around the dog park and the Pickleball Courts. Possible Car Show will donate a bench as they are in the process of having the Waupaca Foundry produce over 50 benches for them.

Bone Tags Donor Board Display: The display will be set up at the dog park this Spring.

Pickleball Court: There was a discussion of setting up a form of time scheduling in 23-hour increments. The court is getting used all the time. Thinking of an easy way for people to sign up for court time.

Park Shelter: Glenn has proposed combining two shelters and having one new, with an updated refrigerator, and numerous outlets. Checking into costs. 

Splash Pad: if we combine two shelters, we will have room for a splash pad. Rick has been visiting other Splash Pads and feels it would not be overly expensive.

Children’s Garden:  We need a Children’s Garden teacher for this summer. The program runs from June to September, depending on the weather. Two weeks off over Car Show. We have several people who have offered to assist but do not want to be in charge. Shannon and Pamela told Rick about the Master Gardener Group in area counties. Rick is going to contact Waupaca County Master Garden Group and see if someone, a possible student, might be interested in leading the program this summer.