(IRON RIDGE) Families in Iron Ridge will soon see big changes at Fireman’s Park, thanks to a $120,000 grant aimed at making the space more accessible, modern and ready for even more community events.
The Village of Iron Ridge received the funding through the Dodge County Community Development Fund, a program that reinvests local sales tax dollars into towns and villages for infrastructure and quality-of-life projects.
Village President Brian Esselman said the money will support improvements on both the east and west sides of the park.
On the west side, crews plan to update the park’s bathrooms to make them more accessible and bring fixtures up to date. The restrooms are now connected to the sewer system, and additional upgrades will improve their overall function. The village will also replace aging overhead electrical wires by burying them underground, improving both safety and the look of the park.
On the east side, the village is rebuilding a worn-out court area that had become cracked and difficult to use. The revamped space is expected to include pickleball and basketball courts, with discussion of adding a volleyball court as well.
Esselman said recent upgrades — including new playground equipment and walkways — have already sparked more activity. More families are bringing their children to the park, and youth programs are growing. Baseball and softball teams use the fields regularly, and a youth flag football league has taken off in the fall. The park is also home to a trap shooting program, which continues to expand.
“New things draw new people,” Esselman said, noting that increased interest in the park has helped build momentum for additional grants and donations.
In addition to the county funding, the village has received a major donation from Horicon Bank and another grant from Dodge County to support improvements.
–Photos courtesy of the Dodge County Land Resources and Parks Facebook page
