To be named after Dr. Maasch

By James Card

The Weyauwega City Council approved the purchase of new playground equipment from Lee Recreation on Jan. 17. The cost will be $116,485.

The new playground equipment will replace the older equipment between Shelters 2 and 3.

“The majority of that is outdated and not compliant with today’s standards” said Jeremy Schroeder, Weyauwega’s city administrator.

The new playground will have a line of swing sets, multiple slides connected by a bridge, a miniature rock climbing wall, and some seesaw-like contraptions.

Updating old playground equipment to newer and safer versions is a trend among municipalities across the country. It is a move to prevent injuries and prevent lawsuits because the equipment meets safety standards that insurance companies require.

Included in the cost of the playground equipment is the delivery of three semi-loads of engineered fiber wood chips.
Lee Recreation could spread the ships but the cost would an extra $6,300. It was decided that this is a project that the people of Weyauwega could handle themselves and save the city some money.

“If we could get a minimum of 10 volunteers, it would go pretty quick,” said Schroeder. “Many hands will make light work of it.”

He also noted that it would be a great community service project for youth groups.

The goal is to have this finished by June for a special event.

Maasch’s legacy

In June 1972, Dr. Lloyd P. Maasch, a well-known doctor in the Weyauwega community, donated the land to the city to be used as a park. This spring on the 50th anniversary, the park will be renamed after him. During a dedication ceremony his son is planning on reading the original speech that his father gave when the park first opened.

Dr. Maasch was recognized by the state Senate in 1972. As recorded in the Journal of the Senate it is noted: “A joint certificate of Commendation by Representative Byers; co-sponsored by Senator Lorge for Dr. Lloyd P. Maasch for his efforts on behalf of Weyauwega Park.”

The park will need a new sign and that is where Robert Wisner enters the picture.

Wisner is working towards the rank of Eagle Scout and will be building a new sign as part of his community service requirement.

The city council agreed to contribute half of $6,585 to help build the sign. Wisner is responsible for raising funds the other half.

He will give an update on his progress at the March meeting of the Recreation Committee.