isitors to Dunn County parks this summer might have noticed the facilities have more sheen: The county this year launched the Park Power Up initiative to restore and maintain county parks while building teamwork among county staff.
The program began after officials noticed that many parks needed attention, said Austin Witt, county Facilities, Parks and Transit Director; each month, county employees go to a county park and do whatever is needed to improve the facility.
“We saw a need and a way to spruce them up without going overboard on employee hours or resources,” Witt said. “It started as a way to bring our facilities team together and focus on improving one park each month.”
Witt added: “The whole idea was to create a steady, manageable way to give our parks the care they needed while also building a sense of teamwork and pride among everyone involved.”
So far, crews have worked at the Russian Slough, Champney Park and Pine View Park. About 10 more parks remain, with the county aiming to complete them within 12 to 18 months.
Witt said the work typically includes pressure washing pavilions and picnic tables, treating concrete surfaces, trimming brush to restore views, repainting structures and replacing grills “that brings new life to the parks and makes them more inviting for visitors.
“We’re pacing ourselves to get through all the parks roughly within a year to a year and a half,” Witt said. “This schedule helps us make sure we’re giving each park the attention it needs without overwhelming our team or the budget.”
Funding comes from savings on supply orders, staffing adjustments and the county’s parks budget, Witt said, adding, “Overall, it’s a combination of being resourceful and making the most of the budget we have.”
Participation has included facilities, maintenance, custodial and office staff. Witt said the county is open to involving other departments or community groups in the future.
“We’re always looking at ways to expand participation as we move forward with this initiative,” he said.
The biggest impact, Witt said, has been the pride and teamwork the effort has created, as well as the community response.
“It’s been really rewarding to see everyone come together,” Witt said. “The parks look better, but just as importantly, our team feels stronger, and the community feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.”
More information is available at dunncountywi.gov/parks.
