Mequon
Rotary Park
8/31/2019
Mequon's Rotary Park was established in 1989 with a donation of land from the Thiensville-Mequon Rotary Club. The Gazebo was constructed in 1993, according to Connie Pukaite, former Mayor of Mequon. She relates the following information.
The first Gathering on the Green was in 1994 when construction and landscaping were (barely!) complete. Just days before the first "Gathering", virtually every City employee helped lay sod so the Park could open on time.
The Gazebo was actually purchased out of a catalog! Rotarians’ recall the company was Burke Co, which now produces park playground items; but it appears Burke reserved its partnership logo with Grondahl Recreation in 2020 … and Grondahl’s products show a gazebo similar to the one in Mequon’s Rotary Park. So we believe the recollection of Burke Company supplying the gazebo is accurate.
The total construction cost was $80,000, including a large concrete apron added to the Gazebo, which was installed to provide a performing platform for groups like the Milwaukee Ballet who performed "Music in Motion" as part of the annual Gathering on the Green for a number of the early years.
The Gathering on the Green was originally the name given to a special musical extravaganza, which initially was sponsored and produced once-annually by the Thiensville-Mequon Rotary Club. Performers used the Gazebo as a stage. The public, especially families, were invited to enjoy the music free of charge, sitting on their own blankets on the lawn, picnicking, etc. As the annual Gathering on the Green grew, it became more and more popular (and expensive to produce). a group of people Rotarians and other community volunteers incorporated Gathering on the Green (GOG) as a non-profit to raise money and produce the annual musical event. GOG pays rent to the City for use of the entire Park, including the Gazebo, each summer for a two day music festival. Now GOG offers many more than one events per year and supports arts and music education, especially for under privileged children.
The Gazebo IS used for other activities. The Parks Department rents out Park space, including the Gazebo, for weddings, for family groups, corporate groups, etc. There has even been a funeral conducted from the Gazebo … it really is a lovely, peaceful spot.
There was a Ribbon Cutting dedicating Mequon's Rotary Park in 1994, without a lot of fanfare nor any photos of the event. A second Ribbon Cutting was held in 1998 to dedicate the woodland, an additional gift of land anonymously donated in the name and honor of Mayor Connie Pukaite, who was instrumental in helping to create Mequon's Rotary Park.
The Gathering on the Green celebrated its 25th anniversary on a weekend in July of 2019 with multi-talent musicians. Over the years, the event has changed from the first years that featured the Milwaukee Ballet and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra to other national performing artists such as Dione Warwick, Al Jarreau, Huey Lewis and The News, and set record attendance in 2017 with Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald.
The first Gathering on the Green was in 1994 when construction and landscaping were (barely!) complete. Just days before the first "Gathering", virtually every City employee helped lay sod so the Park could open on time.
The Gazebo was actually purchased out of a catalog! Rotarians’ recall the company was Burke Co, which now produces park playground items; but it appears Burke reserved its partnership logo with Grondahl Recreation in 2020 … and Grondahl’s products show a gazebo similar to the one in Mequon’s Rotary Park. So we believe the recollection of Burke Company supplying the gazebo is accurate.
The total construction cost was $80,000, including a large concrete apron added to the Gazebo, which was installed to provide a performing platform for groups like the Milwaukee Ballet who performed "Music in Motion" as part of the annual Gathering on the Green for a number of the early years.
The Gathering on the Green was originally the name given to a special musical extravaganza, which initially was sponsored and produced once-annually by the Thiensville-Mequon Rotary Club. Performers used the Gazebo as a stage. The public, especially families, were invited to enjoy the music free of charge, sitting on their own blankets on the lawn, picnicking, etc. As the annual Gathering on the Green grew, it became more and more popular (and expensive to produce). a group of people Rotarians and other community volunteers incorporated Gathering on the Green (GOG) as a non-profit to raise money and produce the annual musical event. GOG pays rent to the City for use of the entire Park, including the Gazebo, each summer for a two day music festival. Now GOG offers many more than one events per year and supports arts and music education, especially for under privileged children.
The Gazebo IS used for other activities. The Parks Department rents out Park space, including the Gazebo, for weddings, for family groups, corporate groups, etc. There has even been a funeral conducted from the Gazebo … it really is a lovely, peaceful spot.
There was a Ribbon Cutting dedicating Mequon's Rotary Park in 1994, without a lot of fanfare nor any photos of the event. A second Ribbon Cutting was held in 1998 to dedicate the woodland, an additional gift of land anonymously donated in the name and honor of Mayor Connie Pukaite, who was instrumental in helping to create Mequon's Rotary Park.
The Gathering on the Green celebrated its 25th anniversary on a weekend in July of 2019 with multi-talent musicians. Over the years, the event has changed from the first years that featured the Milwaukee Ballet and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra to other national performing artists such as Dione Warwick, Al Jarreau, Huey Lewis and The News, and set record attendance in 2017 with Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald.
Mequon-Thiensville TODAY, Summer 2019, p. 34
Mequon-Thiensville TODAY, Summer 2019, p. 35
Currently, no musical performances are planned for 2020.
At a wooded quiet spot near the Gazebo, called Pukaite Woods, there are engraved granite stones that honor the many individuals and groups who made the Rotary Park possible.
8/31/2019
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1999; Ribbon cutting dedicating Woodland; from L to R: Sandy & Jean Custer, Maryor Christine Neurenberg (1998-2010), Roger Rienemann, Mayor Connie Pukaite (1986-1992), (unidentified man), Lorrie Roensch; Courtesy of Jean Hill
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