Dock built specifically for handicapped
By Holly Neumann
One more project is now complete at Manawa Area Veterans Freedom Park, thanks to Shadows on the Wolf’s donation of a fishing pier.
“When John Smith approached us last summer about this, it wasn’t even a question,” said Kevin Conradt, president of Shadows of the Wolf. “When it comes to a veterans memorial, we donate. When it comes to a handicapped pier, we will build it and donate it to you.”
According to Conradt, a significant number of people can often be seen fishing from the shore line.
“Anyone can fish from the shore,” he said.” With a handicap pier, it gives even more people the opportunity to enjoy it and it is more of an adventure when you can fish over the top of the water.”
Mayor John Smith said the donation from Shadows on the Wolf brought a tremendous sense of relief.
“It was one of our projects that we could just put into place,” he said. “Other projects require engineering which involves cost and time. Cost being the most sensitive concern as we have a long way to go to complete the park.”
Smith noted there are still a lot of other projects remaining in the park prior to completion.
“Things as simple as raking up the bark from around the shelter house and placing it around the trees to any assistance that can be offered either financially or with personal talents to help us complete the remaining projects,” he said.
Conradt encouraged others to become involved.
“You need people, clubs and organizations to reach out,” Conradt said. “If each organization reaches out to help with a projects like this, it makes it easier for them to reach their goals.”
What is the next step for Manawa Area Veterans Freedom Park?
“On the memorial side, we are still accepting names to have engraved into our walls,” said Smith. “The next engraving session is set for early to mid-May. We encourage anyone who would like to have a loved one’s name on the wall to get that information to us as soon as possible.”
In the next few weeks, concrete sidewalks will be poured.
The park currently has the shelter ready for rental.
“The shelter house is 80 feet by 40 feet with a kitchen, all abilities accessible bathrooms and if need be, we have side curtains that can be rented for early spring festivities that may require some wind block,” said Smith.
As the summer progresses, visitors should find expanded parking lots, a bridge to connect the family side to the memorial, with the goal of having the parking lots blacktopped by the end of summer.
That leaves the splash pad and playground equipment to be completed.
“We have a great deal of work to do, as well as a great deal of funds to be raised,” said Smith.
Upcoming fundraisers include Taste of Wisconsin on April 10, the freedom shoot and dinner banquet on May 19, drawing for the tractor raffle at the Thresheree on July 29 and the big cup Challenge golf outing in August.
“We are also trying to establish a mini-triathlon that we are slating for June 16,” Smith said. “This is a short time frame, but we are hoping to see it come to fruition and be another successful event in the city of Manawa.”