MANAWA – A volunteer-led effort to transform the underutilized Triangle Park into a community gathering space is entering its final stages after years of planning, fundraising and physical labor.
Rain didn’t stop the volunteers last Wednesday as they shoveled, raked and hauled dirt to get the park’s new vegetation in the ground. Community members spent hours working on the park’s landscaping, splitting existing hostas and daylilies and replanting them alongside newly purchased perennials to refresh the space.
The initiative began in late 2023, when a nine-person committee formed to revitalize the space ahead of Manawa’s 150th anniversary celebration in 2024. Last week, the independent nonprofit Triangle Park Renovation Committee put the finishing touches on the park’s landscaping to bring the space to life.
“What began as a vision to revitalize an underutilized area has grown into a project that showcases the pride, generosity and collaboration of our community,” said volunteer and committee member Debbie Sarna.
The committee’s first major project was replacing a wooden civic organization display originally started in 1950 by Beverly Carl, the mother of volunteer Mary Mann. Because the original board had become worn and the information outdated, the volunteers tore it down to build a new community logo display.
Local civic groups paid for a spot on the new structure, which was built by Lee Bertram of FineLee Finished Carpentry. While a professional created vinyl graphics for the mounted aluminum signs, local high school art students stepped in to paint several of the organizations’ logos, which were then sealed to protect against the weather.
The committee then installed an electronic display sign in the park in central Manawa to highlight local meetings and events.
When the sign campaign brought in surplus funds, the group reinvested the money into upgrading the park’s bandstand. Previously, the structure was a concrete slab surrounded by a wrought-iron fence, which made it largely unusable during inclement weather, Sarna said.
Bertram constructed a new roof over the structure and volunteers stepped in to complete the remaining upgrades, installing modern lighting, a sound system, electrical service and safe railings on the walk-up steps. The bandstand was finished in time for homecoming last year.
The city has worked closely with the volunteer committee on the project, with city workers removing old plants before volunteers stepped in to split and replant the salvageable greenery alongside the new additions last week.
The latest push for landscaping and seating was made possible by a donation from a former Manawa resident last December. Late this month or early next month, new picnic tables will also be installed.
“What makes this project particularly meaningful is that it has been driven almost entirely by community volunteers, local donations and organizations working together toward a common goal,” Sarna said. “Countless hours have been invested by residents who simply wanted to create a beautiful and functional space for future generations to enjoy.”
For volunteers like Mann, joining the committee continues work her mother began in 1950.
“Manawa is just such a great community and that’s been a long-standing community of togetherness and community involvement,” Mann said. “We want to promote the things that are here as well as grow into the future.”
While the city will continue handling general park maintenance, Sarna said the volunteer committee plans to remain active. The group is still accepting donations to help purchase foldable seating for the bandstand and to bring in musical acts, and is also exploring future improvements such as playground equipment. Those interested in contributing may email triangleparkmanawa@gmail.com.
The newly revitalized park is already slated for summer festivities. A “Block Party Night” car show will be hosted on South Bridge Street in front of City Hall from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. July 31. The event is organized by the Manawa Revitalization Committee and will feature the Harley Classic Riders Motorcycle Show and live music by Madison’s Basement, performed from the upgraded Triangle Park bandstand. Proceeds from a basket raffle held during the car show will go directly toward the final updates and enhancements at Triangle Park.
Sarna said the park project is “a wonderful example of what can happen when a community comes together to invest in itself.”
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