New playground memorializes 9-year-old
By Erik Buchinger
A new playground constructed at Bucholtz Park to honor Alex Olmsted was dedicated on Thursday, June 7.
Alex Olmsted died at the age of 9 in a car versus semi crash in Barron County in January 2017.
“I want to thank everybody for coming, and this wouldn’t be possible if we didn’t have a fundraiser and people getting together to do this,” Alex Olmsted’s mother Lisa Olmsted said following a moment of silence for her son. “I’m so glad we are able to give back to the community and to watch kids play on it. It’s very heartwarming, so I’m very glad.”
Lisa Olmsted shared a photo of Alex playing at Bucholtz Park as well as a sign that said “Faith: love it, live it, walk it, talk it, own it, loan it, grow it, show it.”
“Something that has helped us through is faith,” Lisa Olmsted said. “Every one of you have done that in some aspect to our family, so thank you. Let’s get this playground underway, so we can get these little kids on there.”
Money for the new playground was donated by the Olmsted family, the community, Walker Forge, Julie Stumbris and Steinke Auto Body.
Clintonville Parks and Recreation Director Justin Mc Auly said he expects the playground will see a lot of activity.
“I feel like this playground is going to be used quite a bit,” Mcauly said. “We have a soccer program up here, three ball tournaments up here and other events, so I think this is going to be used quite a bit throughout the year.”
After a ribbon cutting, family and members of the community socialized with food and drinks served while the kids flooded the playground.
Bucholtz Park was not the only park to benefit from the memory of Alex Olmsted. Last July, playground equipment was donated to Bear Creek, paid for with proceeds from a fundraiser held earlier that year.