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Riverside Park

 

Established in 1910

This file is under construction at this time

 

Cannon at Riverside Park, undated photo

 

 

1908

09 25       KUSSEL FARM

Don't Fail to Attend.

Sale of barns, sheds and other out buildings on the Kussel farm, if you want to buy some cheap lumber.  Sale Saturday, Sept. 26 at 2 P. M.   WG

 

DISTANT VIEW OF KUSSEL FARM

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09 25       AUCTION SALE [at Kussel farm]

[same date] The undersigned will sell on his premises in the Sixth ward on Wednesday, Sept. 30th, at 10 o'clock a. m., the following personal property to the highest bidders:  2 work horses, 1 single heavy harness, set of heavy harness, 1 double carriage harness, 1 single buggy harness, 1 Milwaukee binder and Milwaukee mower, 1 seeder, 1 sulky corn cultivator, 2 hand cultivators, 1 drag in three parts . . . 1 disc sub-soil plow, fanning mill, 1 lumber wagon, wide tire truck wagon, milk wagon, several buggies, sulky potato bug sprinkler, corn sheller, land roller, 1000 lb. scale, some hay and other farming utensils and some household goods.  Terms—All sums under $10 cash, over that amount six months time will be given on good secured notes at 5 per cent interest.   

 

Lunch at noon.   Samuel Kussel, Prop.   WG

 

10 09       BIG REAL ESTATE DEALS

BIG REAL ESTATE DEALS.  The Riverside Land Co. is putting in a fine driveway between Fourth Street bridge and county line bridge [new “driveway” is assumed to be the upgrading or rebuilding of Labaree St., a portion of which had existed as early as 1855; county line bridge is Division/Boughton St bridge].  They have recently sold 420 lots in Beloit in one day, 232 lots in Janesville, 145 lots at Monroe and 173 lots in Stoughton.  If you are in line for an investment don't fail to purchase lots in the Riverside addition, known as the Sam Kussel property, in the 6th ward [Samuel Kussell home was at 924 Labaree].   Watertown is on the boom and these lots are bound to advance in price.

 

DON'T PUT IT OFF.  Start now and buy a lot in the Riverside addition to Watertown, for these lots will not last long at these terms and prices.

 

DON'T FORGET.  Sale of lots in Riverside addition, opens Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 7 a. m.  Come early.    WG

 

Cross Reference:   Riverside Addition [Kussel Farm] - Labaree St.       Labaree St

 

10 16       LOTS GO LIKE HOT CAKES

Over 200 lots were sold in the Riverside addition in the 6th ward last Wednesday.  Several sat up all night to get the first chance to buy the lots at 7 o'clock in the morning.  It was the biggest sale of lots that has ever taken place in Watertown and Mr. Bunn, who had charge of the sale, was delighted with it.   WG

 

11 13       MAP OF RIVERSIDE ADDITION

By Alderman Werner:

 

Whereas Charles G Kiewert has submitted to this common council for approval in accordance with chapter 225 laws of Wisconsin, 1905, a map of Riverside addition, extended, being a sub division of part of outlot No. 31, in the Sixth ward of the city of Watertown, Wisconsin;

 

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, By the common council of the said city of Watertown that the said plat of the Riverside addition, extended, be and the same is hereby in all respects approved.

 

The resolution was referred to the committee on judiciary and streets and bridges.   WG

 

c.1909

                E J Brandt headed the Board of Park Commissioners when Riverside Park was established.

 

KUSSEL ISLAND

  

 

1910

05 13       RIVERSIDE PARK ESTABLISHED, includes bathing beach

 

NEW PARK CERTAIN - Watertown is to have a new pleasure park.  Action along this line was taken at a meeting of the park commissioners last evening when it was decided to ask for bids for laying out the same, the bids to be received by the board up to May 28.

 

The proposed park will be known as Riverside park and will be located on an island in what is now known as Riverside addition, formerly the S. Kussel property in the Sixth ward.  This matter was taken up last year and will be pushed to completion the present summer by the board of park commissioners.  In connection with the park it is planned to build a river drive connecting this pleasure ground with other portions of the city, ending in the Third ward along the newly platted Crangle addition.

 

One of the features of the proposed park will be a rustic bridge connecting the island with the mainland proper, and a bathing beach with dressing rooms will also be featured - which will appeal to all, especially the children.                         The Watertown News, 13 May 1910

 

06 03       BID FOR NEW RIVERVIEW PARK

     1910, "Riverview Park" 

 

The board of park commissioners this afternoon opened the only bid received by it for putting the new Riverview park in condition in the Sixth ward.  This bid was from J. L. Froding, a landscape gardener of Oconomowoc, and was for the sum of $3350.  This includes all the work except the dredging in the channel between the island and the mainland and the construction of a rustic bridge, for which bids were asked separately.  The bid was within the estimate given and the work will be let to the lowest bidder.

 

N.B.  Riverview” and “Riverside” were used interchangeably when the park was first created, with Riverside soon becoming preferred and accepted.

 

1911

04 06       PARK SPRINKLING BIDS

Monday evening bids for the sprinkling system in Riverside Park were opened by the Park commission.  They were as follows:

Kehr Bros.:  $1141 20

Mendenhall & Son:  1263.65

Bursinger & Downey:  1400.00

O. Biefeld & Co.:  1652.24

Wm Schiebel:  1577.95   WG

 

04 27       PARK CARETAKERS NAMED

The Board of Park Commissioners have named the following park caretakers: Gerhard Rippe for Riverside Park at a salary of $50 a month for the season, Wm. Radtke at a salary of $25 a month for the season to care for the city park Recreation Park and the College Avenue triangle.   WG

 

1914

05 21       BATHHOUSE PROPOSED

The matter of a public bath house to be erected at or near Riverside Park was discussed, but no action was taken on this matter pending possible action by the park board, who has the matter in hand and are trying to make the erection of the bathhouse possible during the present summer.    WG

 

RUSTIC BRIDGE

             

 

BIKE IN PARK

 

c.1914

RIVER SCENE

  

 

1915

12 21       PURCHASE OF RYAN PROPERTY CONSIDERED

A special meeting of the city council was called last Tuesday evening for further consideration of the purchase of the Ryan sand pit on the north side of Division Street, and west of the Gondolier club house.

 

The real business before that meeting was to make provisions for the purchase of the property for city park purposes.

 

Alderman Lutovsky presented a resolution providing for the payment of $1,000 for the tract, and his resolution was also laid over until tonight’s meeting.

 

At the last regular meeting, held two weeks ago tonight, a resolution was unanimously passed authorizing the purchase, but in the week intervening between the two meetings a revision of opinion seems to have obsessed some of the aldermen, and the special meeting developed opposition.

 

Some have expressed the opinion to the Leader that the purchase of the property does not appear on the face to be justified.

 

On the other hand, there are those who enthusiastically endorse the proposition, and point to the fact that the city stands ready to pay $400 for a tract of land in the same neighborhood which was offered a few years ago for $1, and which the city rejected even as a gift.

 

The Leader interviewed some property owners in the neighborhood of the Ryan tract, along Dewey Avenue and Division Street, and found a most hearty endorsement of the proposition.  They point out that to beautify the tract, possibly in time connecting the island park with the proposed Division Street park, erecting a bath house for the bathers at what is declared an ideal bathing beach on the south bank of the river, will develop one of the most beautiful play and pleasure spots in the west.

 

One argument advanced by one enthusiast is that Mr. Ryan has refused $300 for one lot at the west end of the tract, which, by the way, is about the only saleable plot for residence building purposes.  A further argument used is that the property is an ideal location along the river for ice houses, and should such use be made of the place the inevitable result is a depreciation of property values in that locality, whereas, a park would appreciate neighboring realty.

 

The Leader has tried to impartially interview a number of people, included in the number being business and professional men, and the consensus of opinion appears to be a justification of the purchase.

 

Gondolier club cross reference note, 1905

The rise of the Gondolier club of this city makes an interesting history for those who find in Rock river an opportunity for real enjoyment at all times in the year. . .

 

In 1905 three robust school boys, in love with nature and the pleasures of the stream, decided that they wanted a real bower on the river bank and accordingly they erected a very small but creditable cottage on Dan Ryan’s sand hill on the river not far from Dewey Avenue.  The three boys were the late widely mourned Harold Zickert, who lost his life in France while in the service of his country, Percy Schlueter and Louis Mundt. . .

 

The officers of the 1920 Gondolier club were:  president, Percy Schlueter; vice president, Henry Knispel; treasurer, Carl Hoepner.

 

c.1915

DISTANT VIEW OF RIVERSIDE PARK

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VIEW FROM ISLAND

        

 

RUSTIC BRIDGE

     

 

PAVILION

 

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10 07       PUBLIC BATH HOUSE CONTEMPLATED.  More Land Purchased For Park Purposes.

The Park Board has secured additional land for park purposes, buying of John Schlueter one half acre of land just across the river from Riverside park, on which the Park Board contemplate erecting a public bath house and otherwise improving it.  The price paid was $450.  This is a commendable move on the part of the Park Board, and the city council no doubt will and should endorse their action.    WG

 

1916

RUSTIC BRIDGE

   

 

1917

WWI - PARK USED BY COMPANY E FOR TRAINING

  

 

1919

08 04       COUNTY COUNCIL OF DEFENSE meeting at Riverside

          

 

1921

-- --           ICE SKATING ON THE ROCK AT RIVERSIDE PARK

All lovers of skating are surely indebted to the weatherman for the winter has been ideal for ice sports, since the absence of snow places the entire river at the students' disposal, and the agreeable temperature makes the outdoor exercise a pleasure.  Many students take interest in skating, and during free time many youngsters are seen strolling toward the river with a pair of skates under their arms.  Again, we see them at the supper table with glowing cheeks, thus proving to us that above all skating develops a good appetite.  Action taken by the city, especially by the Chamber of Commerce, increased the local interest for winter sports very much.

 

The wide bend of the river at Riverside Park offers a well adapted place for an ice rink, which is cleared from snow, whenever necessary and is illuminated in the evening by electric lights.  A clubhouse is also at the skater's disposal, where skates are rented, clothes are checked, refreshments and confectionery offered for sale, and which affords rest and warmth to those who are tired and cold.  These improvements in Watertown are certainly appreciated by the students and young people of the city.   Derived from The Black and Red, Norhtwestern College publication of 02 1921

 

1927

04 13       NEW BAND STAND

A playground with a slide in the middle of a park

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A new band stand is being erected in Riverside park by Jack Brennan and a force of men.

 

07 29       CITY GETS OFFER OF FOX AND FAWN

An offer to give to the city of Watertown several small animals that can be easily kept has been made by a former resident who suggests that the animals be put at Riverside park where they may be seen by people who visit the place.  The board of park commissioners is expected to take up matter in the near future.

 

The man, whose name is being withheld for the present, has offered several foxes and also a fawn or two.  If these are accepted it may lead to other contributions and sooner or later Watertown would have several small animals to place on permanent exhibition there.

 

Several neighboring cities have started small collections of this kind land, they are bringing joy to hundreds of children and grownups.

 

Riverside is pointed out as one of the most beautiful natural parks to be found anywhere in this section and if a small ‘‘zoo” is added it would attract many more people, it is asserted by persons who look with favor, upon accepting the animals offered.  It is also pointed out that there are native Watertown people scattered in all parts of the world and once the information of the “zoo” went out it would result in various specimens being donated, thus adding to the collection.

 

1920s

11 16       GAZEBO RELOCATED TO RIVERSIDE PARK

       when Cole Memorial Hall was constructed on the site of Library Park [behind Public Library] in the late 1920s.

 

 

 

1928

 

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03 14 1928

Comfort Station Bids To Be Filed On Thursday

Bids for the two proposed comfort stations to be erected under supervision of the board of park commissioners are to be filed with the board on Thursday.  The board has advertised for bids for the proposed work and the plans for the comfort station are the work of Arthur Kuenzi of this city.

 

One of the new stations is to be erected at Riverside park and the other will be placed near the municipal bathing beach and tennis courts.

 

A third comfort station is to be provided the city through the co-operation of the Sgt. F. L. Pitterle post, American Legion which has made an agreement with the council to take care of a room in the armory building if it is suitably fitted up by the city.  The money for the improvements has been appropriated by the council and when the three places are completed the city will have four comfort stations.

 

Cross reference note:  RE Arthur Kuenzi, engineer (with Otto Biefeld Co., later Biefeld president)

 

 

Text, letter

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03 17 1928

H. G. Zickert Is Awarded Comfort Stations Contract

H. G. Zickert, 500 Dewey Avenue, was the successful bidder for the erection of two comfort stations under the direction of the board of park commissioners it was announced today following a meeting of the board held Friday night at which the bids were taken up.

 

Mr. Zickert's bids for the Riverside park comfort station was $2,658 and for the station to be erected at the municipal bathing beach his figure was $2,012.

 

The board, which had been authorized to proceed with the work, awarded the contract to him and the two stations will be started as soon as possible.

 

 

 

 

 

1928

04 30       RIVERSIDE PARK COMFORT STATIONS / RESTROOMS

         Riverside Park Comfort Stations Are Under Way

 

Construction of the two comfort stations at Riverside park which was started some time ago is now well under way and both structures will be completed for service before the season gets well under way.  The stations are being erected by Herman G. Zickert, local contractor.  One of the buildings is in Riverside park proper and the other is near the municipal tennis courts and bathing beach.

 

Frequently vandalized over the years

 

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Description automatically generated       New restrooms, distant view

 

2022 note:  According to Watertown’s Parks and Recreation Director Randy Wojtasiak, the current bathrooms are original to the park [but of uncertain construction date].  (WDTimes of 02 17 2022).  The restroom station currently in the park is slated for replacement this year.

 

1930

05 19       PARK VANDALISM BREAKS OUT OVER WEEKEND

Bird houses are reported stolen, someone shot a bullet through the door of the pavilion, park benches were jammed into shrubbery and automobiles had driven over the carefully cultivated greens of the park...

 

c.1930

TRENCHING TO CREATE CREEKS/STREAMS WITHIN PARK

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1936

April         FOOT BRIDGES OVER STREAM IN PARK

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1936

FIELD MASS AT RIVERSIDE PARK, PART OF CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

      1936 Watertown Centennial Celebration  

  Image Portfolio        

 

The setting for the field mass was one of great beauty and solemnity.  The altar used was the first one erected in St. Bernard's church and was taken to the field for the occasion.  The baldacchino was designed by Baldwin S. Raue who spent more than a week in working it out, and this was a beautiful piece of work which, when carried out for the setting of the altar, proved to be a work of art . . .

 

PARK STONE LOCATION BEFORE MOVING

      1936

This stone in the park was moved to near bandshell and placed over 1954 time capsule

 

1939

06 16       PARK DEER FENCE BEING COMPLETED

The fence on the runway for the two deer which the Board of Park Commissioners is to get through the cooperation of the State Conservation Department is being completed at Riverside Park and it is expected the two deer which have been allotted to the city will be brought here shortly.  One of the deer will come from Brillion and the other from Poynette, according to park officials.

 

c.1940

STONE TURRET WITH BIRDHOUSE ATOP

  

 

1940

04 05       RIVERSIDE PARK ZOO GROWS

Specimens Given City Free – Two deer, pheasants, including ring neck, black neck, mutant, Lady Amhurst and golden from the State Conservation Commission.  Swan a gift from Tripoli Shrine.  Raccoon from William & Sadie (Norton) MacBoyle.  Owl from Ehler Brinkman.

 

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1941

05 29       RIVERSIDE PARK ZOO NOW READY

Collection of animals may be enlarged during the year. . . .  There are 5 raccoons, 3 deer, 6 pair of pheasants, 4 swans, 2 owls and 1 hawk at the present time.  Three foxes were recently traded and will result in securing several peacocks here, probably in autumn it was disclosed.

 

c.1941

RIVERSIDE PARK SWANS

  

 

1942

06 06       SWIMMING POOL DEDICATED

Dedicated on July 5, 1942.  It was constructed during the years 1940 and 1941.   WDT

 

1940s

DEER PEN

  

REFLECTION:  The park’s deer pen and the rest of Riverside Park were glorious.  There was a much larger pine woods along Hill Street which led to unused farm land extending up the hill.  One very large childhood “playground” back then.

 

1940s

CHANNEL OF ROCK RIVER

  

 

PAVILION

                 

 

             

 

1953

04 28       NEW BAND SHELL (dedicated in 1954)

Watertown’s new band shell in Riverside Park will be constructed of concrete, wood and stone, it was revealed today.  The design, plans and specifications are on file at the City Hall for consultation and study by prospective bidders.  Bids are due at 2 p.m. on May 12 in the office of City Manager Dean Van Ness, according to the call for bidders which was released in the Times on Saturday.  The shell will be 36 by 46 feet in size, overall.  It contains storage rooms which can also be used for dressing quarters when the stage is used for pageants or other outdoor productions.  The approval of the Wisconsin State Industrial Commission is expected shortly, it was said at the City Hall this morning.  State engineers have already given their approval of the design as to its acoustical qualities.   WDT

 

08 19       BLACKTOPPING TENNIS COURTS

  

 

11 18       NEW BAND SHELL (Wilbur Wollin, contractor)

Wilbur Wollin, Watertown contractor who filed the lower of two bids for the construction of the city's band shell to be erected in Riverside Park, was awarded the contract and it is proposed to begin work this fall if weather conditions permit.  Awarding of the contract was approved by the City Council.  The bid price was $20,263.  The money came from the Wenzel Prochazka legacy, set up under the will of Mr. Prochazka and which designated that the sum be used for park purposes.   WDT

 

1954

06 28       TIME CAPSULE BURIED IN RIVERSIDE PARK

   1954 Centennial Celebration  

 

1957

01 17       REFERENDUM TO DISCONTINUE SALE OF BEER AT PARK

The Pitterle-Beaudoin Post No. 189, American Legion, which each summer sponsors the largest celebration at Riverside Park, the Fourth of July festivities, today began to assemble its forces to seek defeat of the April 2 referendum which will decide whether the sale of beer is to be continued in Riverside Park and other public parks in the city.  The Legion has made it clear that it wants to continue sponsoring the celebrations but cannot do so if its largest revenue raising source at the park is halted.

 

1959       DEER PEN

                        

 

10 13       THE POPCORN HASSLE

The Riverside Park popcorn hassle, which was brought into the open at the city council meeting on Oct. 6 today seemed headed toward a solution and a report to that effect will be filed with the council at its meeting next Tuesday night.  The issue was brought into the open by the Pitterle-Beaudoin Post No. 189, the American Legion when its commander told the council that officers would find it difficult to sign up a carnival for rides and concessions unless such group was given exclusive rights to concessions at the park for the annual Fourth of July celebration which the Legion sponsors each year.  A report received by the Times today stated that the solution calls for the carnival company to have complete control of all concessions on the Fourth of July midway in the park.  There is nothing to bar “outsiders” to maintain stands in other parts of the park, but they will not be permitted on the midway.   WDT

 

Cross Reference:  Jine's Popcorn Stand at Riverside Park (2009)

 

1965

02 12       “WINTER FROLICS” AT THE SNOWSLIDE

Over 250 Watertown children participated in the Junior Chamber of Commerce’s “Winter Frolics” held on Sunday afternoon at the Riverside Park snowslide.  Ribbons were presented to the contestants who placed first, second and third in each event.  After the sledding a drawing was held and the following prizes of sleds, saucers and toboggans were won by: Joan Neitzel, Gary Brink, Michael Pitterle, Steven Schumacher, Jeff Ready, Tom Bluel, Steve Strohbusch, Jeff DeTroye, Christine Rose and John Ready.   WDT

 

07 03       NEW CONCESSION STANDS ERECTED

A rigid set of rules governing the use of the new concession stands being erected in the softball area at Riverside Park by the Watertown Junior Chamber of Commerce has been prepared and will be presented to the common council for approval next Tuesday night.  The subject has been under discussion at previous meetings and the set of rules proposed differs little from the points covered in a Daily Times report published last month.  Under the rules, permission to use the building, which the Jaycees will turn over to the city, will be limited to activities of the park and recreation departments of the city and to local nonprofit organizations in conjunction with a special event or tournament conducted on the athletic field.   WDT

 

1967

03 10       PARK SOLIDLY BOOKED

Riverside Park is almost solidly booked for the coming picnic and outing season, Keith Spaulding, city recreation director, has announced.  All of the Sunday dates have been reserved for picnics and gatherings, including the use of various park facilities, such as the pavilion, kitchens and the park island.  In addition to the various church picnics and the celebrations for the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends, the park has also been reserved for family reunions, large and small gatherings and special events for industrial, business and organizational events.  WDT

 

1969

01 22       PARK SUPERINTENDENT EWALD (HONEY) BRUMM RETIRES

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1970

03 02       GAZEBO, WINTER SCENE

  

 

03 02       FISHING EVENT IN THE PARK

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1983

10 15       RIP-RAP TO PRESERVE THE SHORELINE

Rip-rap to preserve the shoreline around Riverside Park was approved by the Watertown City Council.  The rip-rap contract was awarded to Weis Excavating, Inc., of Johnson Creek, the lowest of six bidders on the contract.  Tom Checkai, assistant park and recreation director, said, “We've been losing a considerable amount of shoreline in recent years because of erosion.  This project should halt that problem.”  High water in recent springs and the deteriorated condition of the existing walls has made the project necessary.   WDT

 

1987

Abstracted from WDTimes Supplement of 08 03 1987.

The two outstanding symbols of Watertown are the Octagon House and Riverside Park.  While many city residents have never been in the former, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who has never utilized any of Riverside's 29 acres.

 

Seemingly squeezed into Riverside are four tennis courts, six volleyball courts, three softball diamonds, swimming and wading pools, the pavilion with dance floor and kitchen, the playground, horseshoe pits and the usual amenities. Still, there always seems to be a place to steal a moment of serenity — even on a busy weekend.

 

Riverside's origins began in 1910.  Charles Kiewert of Milwaukee offered what was known as the Kussel farm to the city as a gift, with the stipulation that the city must spend $300 a year on improvements for a period of 10 years.  There was some early opposition. According to newspaper accounts, the general feeling was: "What do we want that old swamp for — what should the city do with it — and we don't need a park."

 

But after trustees of the Fannie P. Lewis Park Fund stepped in and agreed to pay half of the cost, public opinion shifted and development came quickly.

 

By 1915 the park was being used regularly by many local groups and organizations for their annual picnics. The bathhouse (demolished several years ago) was constructed in 1917 and the tennis courts followed in 1922.

 

The tennis courts are still there.  The bathhouse and adjoining beach gave way to the swimming pool.  Other improvements through the years included the bandshell, pavilion and expansion of the athletic facilities.

 

1992

07 26       ARTS FESTIVAL AT RIVERSIDE PARK

A record high of $36,000 in total sales was spent on artwork Sunday afternoon when hundreds of art lovers took advantage of warm, sunny and breezy weather to attend the Watertown Arts Festival held at Riverside Park.  Although buyers were in abundance, many people came to the outdoor event simply to enjoy the cultural experience, classical musical entertainment, food and refreshments.  Sales were substantially increased over last year when bad weather may have hampered attendance.  Total sales for the arts festival in 1991 were over $30,000 despite a rainy afternoon.  Ninety-one artists were on hand this year to show their work which included original paintings or prints, photographs, pottery, jewelry, copper etchings, fabric sculpture, stained glass, stoneware, metal sculpture, woodcuts and many other forms of art.

 

09 12       HANGING OUT IN THE PARK

The Watertown Park, Recreation and Forestry Department Monday tabled a proposal that would have established Riverside Park as an alternative to “hanging out” on Main Street.  John Steber, director of the park, recreation and forestry department, said commission members were interested in developing an alternative for youths to downtown, although they weren’t certain if Riverside Park was the best choice.  “I think they (commission members) recognize the need for something,” Steber said.  “But they don’t have the magic formula out there.”

 

1995

09 28       GRADUATION MOVED FROM RIVERSIDE PARK TO GYMNASIUM

Graduation ’96 will be held in the gymnasium at Watertown High School.  Several concerns about holding the ceremony at its traditional site, Riverside Park, led to the decision, said Principal Kathy Wagner.  School board member Denise Barker and student board member Jessie Groose urged that seniors be allowed input into the decision.  Last year, seniors were allowed to vote on where to hold the ceremony. They selected the park.

 

“Students should have a big part in that decision,” Groose said.  Wagner listed several concerns of the ceremony at Riverside Park, including difficulty for older and handicapped residents in parking and getting to the site.  The sound system is better in the gymnasium and it will be comfortable no matter what the weather is.  She noted that it costs $2,000 in overtime to set up the park on the morning of graduation, something that could be avoided by setting the gymnasium up ahead of time.

 

1996

                CHAMBERLAND PLAYGROUND BUILT

Built in 1996, Chamberland was completed in five days after about 2,555 volunteers started the job.  During the five days there were three work shifts a day and each shift averaged about 150 people.  Community fundraising efforts netted around $80,000 for the project, which doubled the original goal of $40,000.  Those funds were combined with $60,000 from the city. If contractors were hired to build the playground and if all the material would have been purchased at retail price, the expected cost would have been between $500,000 and $600,000.

 

1999

05 04       GRADUATION MOVED TO HIGH SCHOOL, FROM RIVERSIDE PARK 

Citing safety issues, the Watertown Unified Board of Education on Monday voted unanimously to support moving graduation ceremonies from Riverside Park into the Watertown High School gymnasium.  But Watertown High School seniors this morning opposed the move, many leaving school grounds in protest.  Administrators requested moving the ceremony because of ongoing safety concerns in the school system.  The board took action on the change of location after it met in closed session to discuss student disciplinary issues.    WDT

 

08 31       Erosion study of Riverside Park and Tivoli Island; portions of Tivoli have disappeared from sight    WDT

 

09 16       Millennium celebration in Riverside Park; midnight fireworks extravaganza    WDT

 

2001

09 06       BAND SHELL FIRE

The band shell at Riverside Park received roughly $30,000 in damage following a suspicious fire Tuesday night.  The fire, which started in the first floor area and extended into the walls and roof of the band shell, was reported by a citizen who saw the smoke at 6:59 p.m.  Five hundred gallons of water and fire fighting foam, containing an extinguishing agent, were used to put out the fire which kept 22 firefighters on the scene for 2 1/2 hours.  “Smoke was just pouring out of the roof area and eastern most side of the structure,” said Watertown Fire Chief Henry Butts.  “Flames were visible for a short period of time but there was thick black smoke and you could hear the fire burning in the walls,” Butts said.  Two engines, one ladder and an EMS team also responded to the fire.  No one was injured in the incident.  “The structure had a good amount of fire damage and will have a significant amount when we’re done,” said Butts.   WDT

 

2004

04 30       PARK & REC ALIGNS WITH ROTARY

The Watertown Rotary Club hopes to join forces with the Watertown Park and Recreation Department to leave a lasting legacy for the city as well as the civic organization.  The two entities hope to work together to take advantage of grant money to restore the Rock river shoreline at the Riverside Park island and its Rock river channel adjacent to the mainland.  If the grant is received and the shoreline is restored, the park would have a new look that will enhance the environment for future generations.   WDT

 

08 23       ISLAND RESTORATION

A portion of the shoreline at the Riverside Park island is restored by community volunteers and members of the Watertown Rotary Saturday as part of a continuing effort to limit erosion from the Rock river.  The roots of environmentally friendly vegetation will eventually anchor the shoreline, and the plantings will lend beauty and attract wildlife to the area.  The initial phase of the project was sponsored by Town and Country Bank and Chickens Unlimited, and organizers of the effort have applied for a state grant to continue the restoration of the park’s 2,100 feet of i river bank.   WDT

 

2005

06 09       SHORELINE RESTORATION

Residents will get a chance this weekend to discuss the plan of action for this month’s restoration project of the shoreline at Riverside park.  Project Manager Augie Tietz of the Rotary Club will be holding a general discussion of the project at the park on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 2 p.m.  The actual restoration process will take place June 16-18 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Tietz said he is still actively pursuing volunteers for the program.  He added he hopes to get at least 30 to 40 volunteers.   WDT

 

2008

07 13       FLOODING DAMAGED PLANTINGS AROUND ISLAND

The flooding in June may have damaged a number of homes and businesses in the city, but it has also destroyed a majority of the plantings around the island at Riverside Park.  According to Watertown Park, Recreation and Forestry Director John Steber, the damage to the plantings is estimated at $45,000, which includes allowance for plant material, planning and professional services, city labor and 653 hours of volunteer work coordinated by the local Rotary Club.  Although parts of the island look decimated, Steber said it’s too early to tell if all of the plants have been wiped out.  “In that, we won’t know for some time,” Steber said.  “The initial appearance is that, yes, they are (destroyed).  We know some of the reeds have seemed to survive, but everything else is just dirt black or brown stubble that’s left.”

 

2014       THE WITCH'S HOUSE

               used to be called "the witch's house".

 

2015       CHAMBERLAND PLAYGROUND UPDATED

09 01             WDTimes article   

A park where a generation of Watertown adults remember playing as children has been undergoing a renovation this summer with the help of a 2010 Watertown High School graduate.  Rebecca Gentil, an art major at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, has been painting geese to decorate the Chamberland playground at Riverside Park . . . The main goal was to replace the synthetic surface and to repair damaged areas within Chamberland.  Some of the new additions to the park will be a two-person swing, merry-go-round and teeter-totter. Watertown High School students repainted the murals at the park as well as a number of other additions including replacing old or weathered boards and installing new turf. The park and recreation department will also add an accessible swing for children with disabilities . . . .

 

2014

08 02       NEW SIGNAGE

  

 

2020

07 09       WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES COLUMN (1 of 2)

    Tom Schultz, “Times Square

 

07 15       WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES COLUMN (2 of 2)

    Tom Schultz, “Times Square

 

2021

05 04       DOCUMENTARY

Maranatha Baptist University video class production

       in cooperation with the Watertown Historical Society

A picture containing text, outdoor, tree, sign

Description automatically generated        PART 1           PART 2

 

2022

05 04       TWO RIVERSIDE PARK RESTROOMS TO BE REPLACED

The new facility will house both men’s and women’s restrooms (with changing tables in both sides) along with a family restroom and mother’s room.  The new building will be on the footprint of the current women’s bathroom.

 

06 18       YOUTH BASEBALL AT RIVERSIDE

A picture containing grass, outdoor, park

Description automatically generated    

 

2024

05 09       REMOVAL OF INVASIVE VEGETATION, INSTALL RIPRAP

The proposed project involves the removal of invasive vegetation from Riverside Park Creek and install riprap in designated areas on the creek banks to minimize in-stream erosion and reduce the amount of sediment and attached phosphorus that travels downstream to the Rock River. Approximately 420 linear feet of the waterway will be disturbed for the bank reshaping and riprap installation in nine designated areas within the park. Riprap will be installed along the banks in a way that does not alter the current dimensions of the creek but will protect the bank from erosion. The dredging will consist of removing 87 cubic yards of material and invasive plants along approximately 390 feet of the creek.

 

The creek transports a large portion of stormwater from the northeast portion of the City of Watertown to the Rock River, and during high precipitation events, the creek experiences rapid flooding rates. Accumulation of invasive vegetation has reduced the capacity of the creek and shifted flow patterns causing increased in-channel erosion of the banks. The purpose of the project is to restore the creek to its original flow capacity while also stabilizing the creek banks to minimize erosion. The Department will review the proposal provided by the applicant and . . . 

 

STATE OF WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

For the Secretary by: Francesca Sanchez, Water Management Specialist, May 9, 2024

 

08 23       RIVERSIDE PARK INCLUSIVE RECREATIONAL AREA

   < YouTube video clip

This project, which will be located at the Riverside Park volleyball courts, will create a welcoming space where everyone can play, connect, and enjoy the outdoors together.

 

Aim is to fund project fully through community support and grants.

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cross References:

 

          Bird House at Riverside Park, undated photo, WHS 006 724

 

 

 

Table of Contents 

History of Watertown, Wisconsin

Index