Menominee Park in Oshkosh, seen May 20, 2020. PC: Fox 11 Online
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Oshkosh may use interest from federal COVID-19 relief funds to operate the train at Menominee Park this summer.
The city said it would not operate the train this season due to the age of the train, condition of the tracks and lack of a secure storage facility. Also, the kayaking and canoeing would not be available.
However, according to an agenda item for next week’s Common Council meeting, a possible solution has been found to restore train service.
“With the recent media reports of the discontinuation of the amusement area, the public has expressed an interest in the continuation of the amusement area while emphasizing a variety of public/private opportunities to assist with amusement ride operations and improvements. City staff has had many recent discussions with potential partners and Common Council members interested in continuing the amusement area if sustainable public/private partnerships are developed. Discussions have included the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation staff and a fund is established there for interested individuals to contribute to the amusement ride operations and improvements. To encourage these continued conversations about partnerships, city staff is requesting that the Common Council approve a Parks Revenue Facilities Fund budget amendment to include $50,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) interest earnings. These funds would be utilized to begin to make the necessary repairs and improvements to the amusement ride area to allow for operations in 2025,” the memo from Parks Director Ray Maurer states.
“The recruitment of seasonal, part-time staff to operate the amusement area would begin immediately as staffing for this service has been challenging the past number of years,” he added.
The Common Council meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 215 Church Ave.
Comments