Star Journal Hodag Park improvements
The Rhinelander Common Council gave its approval to a performance stage concept at Hodag Park.
The 50-foot diameter stage is the first of phased improvements planned for the park. The design allows a line of sight through the structure to provide visibility to Boom Lake. The concept, created by MSA Professional Services, also features “barn doors” to block the wind for performers when needed. The structure features the look of timbers and stone, the latter to mimic the stone on the Hodag Park beach house. Fine tuning on the drawings will continue.
City Administrator Zach Vruwink said he has been meeting with potential donors to offset the cost of project.
Star Journal City council gives Hodag Park master plan thumbs up
Implementation decisions yet to come
By Eileen Persike
Editor
The Rhinelander Common Council took another step toward improvements at Hodag Park last week when it approved a master plan.
Justin Frahm, project consultant with JSD Professional Services in Weston, unveiled a revised plan at the March 8 council meeting.
“The current plan is consistent with the original plan construct,” Frahm said. “We’ve made a few revisions to plan elements to address layout. Zones we talked about – activity zones, sports zones, the passive recreation and active recreation zones, the beach zones and waterfront are all consistent with the original plan.”
Star Journal Staff
The Rhinelander Common Council will meet Wednesday night to vote on the hiring of Zach Vruwink as the city administrator. Vruwink, the leading candidate for the job, had been working for the city as a contracted assistant to Mayor Chris Frederickson and is the former Wisconsin
Star Journal Parade gains support from Rhinelander council
Editor
The Rhinelander Common Council threw its support behind the 2021 St. Patrick’s Day Parade, scheduled to take place Saturday, March 13. The parade was canceled last year as COVID-19 was entering the state.
“Our people have had one year now to live in COVID conditions, make decisions, to be adults, to wash our hands, wear a mask – do what they feel is needed,” said Mayor Chris Frederickson when introducing the topic. “I would suggest moving forward and holding the parade.”
Alderman Thomas Barnett said that a year is long enough, and cited an increase in mental health issues in his recommendation to move forward with the parade.
By Eileen Persike
Editor
The Rhinelander Common Council’s search for an administrator is entering the final stage. Following a closed session Monday night, the council directed Doreen St. Onge, the city’s human resources employee, to negotiate a contract with the council’s lead candidate and for