There were many different departments and organizations that collaboratively worked together to bring the park to this community.”

Crystal Rueth

A ribbon cutting was held on August 17 for the new Multi-Generational Park located in the Greenwood County Park and Campground. This park came together through the efforts of the Clark County Forestry and Parks Department, the Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC), the Greenwood Lions and the Clark County Economic Development Corporation and Tourism Bureau.

Crystal Rueth of the Clark County ADRC was first to welcome all during the ribbon cutting ceremony. “Thank you all for being here today to celebrate and support this awesome project” Rueth began. “There were many different departments and organizations that collaboratively worked together to bring the park to this community.” She invited attendees to check out all the booths and activities there and to come try out the playground equipment. She then introduced Curtis Lindner, the Clark County Forestry and Parks administrator.

Lindner said this project has been in the works for many years, in fact when he came to the department in 2020 it was already in the budget. The project was halted by the high costs of equipment and materials following COVID in 2020. “Through forestry and parks, we kind of started spit balling some ideas, and actually through the COVID pandemic,” said Lindner. “My family visited Eau Claire County and Marathon County, and we started seeing parks like what you see here, lot of this type of base material, lot of climbing equipment, kind of obstacle course types that were being developed. So, I thought that's something that Clark County doesn't have at all.”

To begin the process, he reached out to the city of Greenwood and Mayor Hanson and sat through some parks meetings. A lot of community input was sought because as Lindner said “We could put a brand-new park in here, but if it’s not what people are going to want, then what's the point? So, I'm glad we got to collaborate with the city of Greenwood. They were very, very helpful, and I was very appreciative of the input that I got from them.”

 At one point the ADRC reached out and said, “Hey, I've got a grant opportunity for some equipment. What do you think you could do with this?” said Lindner. “And we sat down and started brainstorming quick. I said, well, I'm putting a park in Greenwood, and I think some workout equipment there would be phenomenal. So that's where the multi-generational part came in, through the efforts of ADRC bringing in opportunity for forestry and parks to collaborate with them. And, with this we can we do something that's going to keep kids occupied and give parents or grandparents something to do while the kids are being occupied.”

Clark County Board of Supervisors Chairman Tom Wilcox also said a few encouraging words. “In the spring, I had the opportunity to get voted in as county board chair. I'm not here to bore you with a bunch of stuff, but I'm really proud of this collaboration that we got. I mean, we got the Lions Club. We got the municipality and all the different departments in Clark County, working together. We, any one of us, couldn't have pulled this off, but all together, we could pull this off. And I guess that's what I'm most proud of, is the team working together.”

Families, friends and neighbors were treated to plenty of activities at this grand opening which included events from the Clark County Health Department, 4-H, U-W Extension, Social Services and more. Live music was provided by Abigail Mathis.