$350,000
Raised
We have some exciting news. We are moving forward with Phase One, playground installation, sooner than expected. New equipment is ordered with a guaranteed delivery date of November 7th. If the weather holds out, the new playground should be up by mid-November. If we have an early freeze and installation is not possible this fall, the vendor will store the equipment free of charge until spring.
Playground | Why Now?
(1) We had nearly enough funding this past spring to move forward with the playground but were holding out to apply for the federally funded, state administered Land, Water, Conservation Fund grant which could have provided up to $375,000 towards the Emerson Park project. We were not notified until mid-August of the grant decision. Sadly, Emerson was not among the selected grants.
(2) By ordering equipment now, we took advantage of fall savings, avoiding the 2023 price hikes in play equipment.
(3) We are prioritized for installation this fall and have avoided competing for install in spring, the busiest time of year for new playgrounds.
(4) We’ve been waiting so long for this! When we heard a fall install was possible, we decided to go for it!
(5) With this visible sign of progress, we are hoping to inspire additional large donors to invest in the Emerson Park project.
Basketball Court
Our next priority is replacing the crumbling basketball court, which will be on the northwest side of the park. If you thought the ball court was in bad shape before, it has now been reduced to a half court due to upcoming construction. We are sorry we had to tear it up before the new court could be installed. Our goal is to get the new court installed this spring. Help us make that happen!
Your Gift will Propel this Project
If you’ve never donated to the project or haven’t done so in the past year, please consider a pledge or gift now. Community gifts have made this project happen. If you know of someone with the capacity for a major gift, please share your passion for this project with them. Donate through the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin at https://bit.ly/EmersonParkSP.
For more information view the Emerson Park Revitalization | Campaign Booklet
Newest Gifts
Noel Family Foundation – $10,000
Anonymous – $5,000
Festival Foods – $2,500
KPR Brokers – $1,000
Pending Grants
CoVantage Credit Union
Prevail Bank
Seramur Family Foundation
Valley Communities Credit Union
Partnerships
Rotary Club of Stevens Point
Cary Elza & Alex Ingersoll – UWSP Media Studies
UWSP Chancellor, Dr. Thomas Gibson
Legendary Basketball Coach, Jack Bennett
Donate through the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin at https://bit.ly/EmersonParkSP
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The Emerson Park Revitalization Project is a partnership between the Friends of Emerson Park and
the City of Stevens Point Parks Recreation and Forestry Department
Emerson Park Board | Ann & Rick Whipp,
Cindy Nebel, Danielle Weaver, Garrett Ryan, Ginger Keymer, Meleesa Johnson, Michael Bialas, Michael O’Meara, & Patricia Baker.
Emerson Park Steering Committee |
Danielle Weaver, Ginger Keymer, Janet Jurgella Finn, Jim Radford, John Okonek, Meleesa Johnson, Michael Bialas, and Pat Wenzl.
We Believe
Parks and green space are a refuge and lifeline.
In giving everyone equitable access to the outdoors.
Parks are Common Ground: They unite us and keep us connected.
Your Voice | Your Park
You are crucial to our long-range vision and we’d love your support and involvement moving forward.
- If you are an alumni of Emerson School, current or former neighbor, please share with us your stories and photos via email or through our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram
- Invite your service group or charitable organization to support the park.
- If your employer has a corporate foundation or provides charitable giving to the local or regional area, we’d love to provide a presentation.
- Ask your Director or HR Department if your employer will match your gift.
