Appleton
Miron Construction Amphitheater in Jones Park
8/30/2019; Plaque located on the Amphitheater
In August of 2019, Miron Construction Company, Inc., celebrated its 100th anniversary by donating the construction of and materials for the Miron Construction Amphitheater located at the east end of the ravine setting of the downtown Jones Park. In addition to the 2,600 square-foot stage, there are two 500 square-foot backstage rooms and restrooms. Zimmerman Architectural Studios, Inc. was the architect of the amphitheater.
Other new features of the three-year renovations of $4.2 million dollars in Jones Park include two ice skating rinks, a new pavilion with restrooms and concession area, playground, and stairways and handicap accessibility.
When one looks at the ravine site of the park, it becomes apparent that there must have been some unique construction challenges. This was addresses by Sara Montonati, PR Specialist at Miron Construction Co, Inc.:
It was our goal to provide an amphitheater that blended in with the natural landscape of Jones Park and complimented the brand new Warming House. That said, building Jones Park Amphitheater had many challenges.
The biggest challenge we faced was the project location. We had to strategically locate this structure into the base of the park’s hillside to accommodate for the future parking lot upgrade on Rocky Bleier Road and not encroach on the green space area of Jones Park designated for summer activities and winter ice skating. Adjacent to this stage and 25 feet below grade is also one of the city’s main sanitary sewer interceptors that we had to avoid.
The ravine type topography in and around Jones Park accompanied with the clay type soils posed a real challenge with the wet conditions we face during fall and spring. These soils made it very challenging to navigate the site.
Miron Construction Co., Inc., which also completed the Fox Cities Exhibition Center next to Jones Park, met the challenges and this new great asset for the community was created.
From Insight on Business:
The event included remarks from Mayor Tim Hanna, Tim Kippenhan, vice president and chief operating officer of Miron, City of Appleton Alderman Joe Martin, and Kevin Rettler, client relationship strategist at Principal Financial Group, which donated the new playground equipment. The Appleton Boy Choir also performed.
The transformation of this entire area over the last three years is truly phenomenal and something the entire Fox Valley should be really proud of, not only today but for many, many years to come,” Kippenhan said. “This was our way to give back to the community."
Other new features of the three-year renovations of $4.2 million dollars in Jones Park include two ice skating rinks, a new pavilion with restrooms and concession area, playground, and stairways and handicap accessibility.
When one looks at the ravine site of the park, it becomes apparent that there must have been some unique construction challenges. This was addresses by Sara Montonati, PR Specialist at Miron Construction Co, Inc.:
It was our goal to provide an amphitheater that blended in with the natural landscape of Jones Park and complimented the brand new Warming House. That said, building Jones Park Amphitheater had many challenges.
The biggest challenge we faced was the project location. We had to strategically locate this structure into the base of the park’s hillside to accommodate for the future parking lot upgrade on Rocky Bleier Road and not encroach on the green space area of Jones Park designated for summer activities and winter ice skating. Adjacent to this stage and 25 feet below grade is also one of the city’s main sanitary sewer interceptors that we had to avoid.
The ravine type topography in and around Jones Park accompanied with the clay type soils posed a real challenge with the wet conditions we face during fall and spring. These soils made it very challenging to navigate the site.
Miron Construction Co., Inc., which also completed the Fox Cities Exhibition Center next to Jones Park, met the challenges and this new great asset for the community was created.
From Insight on Business:
The event included remarks from Mayor Tim Hanna, Tim Kippenhan, vice president and chief operating officer of Miron, City of Appleton Alderman Joe Martin, and Kevin Rettler, client relationship strategist at Principal Financial Group, which donated the new playground equipment. The Appleton Boy Choir also performed.
The transformation of this entire area over the last three years is truly phenomenal and something the entire Fox Valley should be really proud of, not only today but for many, many years to come,” Kippenhan said. “This was our way to give back to the community."
8/30/2019
To the west side of the park, the Fox Cities Exhibition Center, which opened in 2019, is located. Access to Jones Park can be reached via an ADA accessible entrance ramp from it.
There is also access to the park from W. Lawrence St. via the ADA compliant sidewalk/ramp that hugs the hillside to achieve the proper grade for all visitors.
The Miron Construction Amphitheater is scheduled to host concerts in the future, including the annual August Mile of Music, which is a series of four-day musical concerts held throughout the City that are free to all. In the past, 90,000 to 100,000 music lovers have attended the festivities.
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