RUDOLPH, Wis. (WSAW) – The Wood County Parks and Forestry Department started the New Year with a new park at the site of Cera Park along the Biron Flowage in Rudolph.
The land was owned by the Wisconsin Rapids Paper Mill since the 1970s, and for most of that time, the property was only open to the mill’s workers and their families.
Last year, the current owners, Consolidated Water Power Company, contacted Wood County to ask if it would be interested in taking over control.
On Jan. 1, Wood County entered the park to tour the facilities and set maintenance goals for the shelters and playgrounds. They aim to open the park to the public for Memorial Day. Workers have also cleared dead or diseased trees, saving the wood for campers later.
“We’re trying to get the safety aspect taken care of in the offseason right now. So that’s priority one,” Wood County Parks and Forestry Department Director Chad Schooley said.
Though this is a new chapter for the property, the department said they want to honor the area’s history.
“We’re very excited as a staff to take on this responsibility. Over the next few years, our goal is really to get it up to a high standard like we have in our other parks,” Schooley said.
He added most of the buildings will not see major changes and most of the building-based work will be focused on safety, accessibility, and adding some modern touches.
“We want to make sure that they’re up to code for accessibility, but also just making some remodeling improvements,” Schooley said.
The pool area might not have such a bright future. Schooley said the pool’s old age and need for repairs are what is holding off the park from operations. This year, the pool will not be in operation, and he said it might never open again.
“There’s a lot of just upgrade costs, but then obviously. Just the annual maintenance costs and operating costs as well,” Schooley said.
Wood County said they want to hear from the public. They said you can comment at any time on their Facebook page with any ideas or questions you may have. They will also be posting some public discussion forum dates and times on their page as well.
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