Neenah
Riverside Park Bandshell
The current bandshell was completed and ready for the Neenah Community Band summer 2001 season. The Neenah Community Band was established in 1965. According to the "50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE NEENAH COMMUNITY BAND" booklet published in 2015, the Band had been using a portable Show-mobile which had been purchased with donations and City funds since 1969. After 34 years and many popular and well-attended band concerts, Parks and Recreation Director Eileen McCoy recognized the need for a permanent bandshell. By May 1995, the Gries Architectural Group, Inc., of Neenah, had developed a schematic plan for an addition to the 1956 Riverside Park pavilion.
The Friends of the Neenah Community Band had planned to fundraise for the new stage. However, in December 1995, the City received an anonymous donation of $112,800 to be used for this and other pavilion improvements. The City added the additional funds for a total of $194,400. The plan was not only for the addition of the bandshell stage on the south end of the building, but also for the 1956 pavilion to receive upgrades to its bathrooms, refreshment stand, some interior renovations, and a new roof.
The Friends of the Neenah Community Band had planned to fundraise for the new stage. However, in December 1995, the City received an anonymous donation of $112,800 to be used for this and other pavilion improvements. The City added the additional funds for a total of $194,400. The plan was not only for the addition of the bandshell stage on the south end of the building, but also for the 1956 pavilion to receive upgrades to its bathrooms, refreshment stand, some interior renovations, and a new roof.
Concerts are presented by the Neenah Community Band ,
usually on Tuesday evenings during the summer season and indoors at other venues during the year.
usually on Tuesday evenings during the summer season and indoors at other venues during the year.
2024 Summer Concert Series
Courtesy of Neenah Parks and Recreation Dept.; Schematic drawing of the Riverside Park pavilion with the new stage with storage areas located on each side of the back of the stage
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From "50TH ANNIVERSARY NEENAH COMMUNITY BAND" booklet
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RIVERSIDE PARK HISTORY
From the History of Parks and Recreation in the City: Riverside Park, with 19.5 acres, was purchased by the City for $4,400 from Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sherry in 1872. Soon thereafter a pavilion was added. In 1894, a menagerie was added for $700 along with a boat dock. By May 1896, both the pavilion and the dock were in need of repair. It was suggested there be a $5 dock fee for any steamers or excursion boats, but a public petition defeated this proposal. At the same time, because of the expense, the Common Council discontinued the menagerie except for a few deer. Racoon, a fox, wildcat, an eagle and several other animals were relocated. The deer remained until 1912.
On May 12, 1956, a new pavilion replaced the older one. Included were rest rooms, a kitchen, a refreshment stand, tool storage, and a general activity space plus a small upstairs meeting room to be used by the Neenah Nodaway Yacht Club. The building designer was Mr. R. A. Loescher. This new building was 114.5 feet x 50 feet; the older one was 71 feet x 31 feet. The stone work was 50 percent Tennessee stone and 50 percent Stevens Point stone; wood features were of West Coast Douglas Fir. The cost of it was $72,898 with $32,500 coming from an anonymous donor, $32,500 from the City, and the balance from another private donor which provided rest room tiling and the upstairs meeting room. Additionally, another $12,000 provided for general park improvement.
On May 12, 1956, a new pavilion replaced the older one. Included were rest rooms, a kitchen, a refreshment stand, tool storage, and a general activity space plus a small upstairs meeting room to be used by the Neenah Nodaway Yacht Club. The building designer was Mr. R. A. Loescher. This new building was 114.5 feet x 50 feet; the older one was 71 feet x 31 feet. The stone work was 50 percent Tennessee stone and 50 percent Stevens Point stone; wood features were of West Coast Douglas Fir. The cost of it was $72,898 with $32,500 coming from an anonymous donor, $32,500 from the City, and the balance from another private donor which provided rest room tiling and the upstairs meeting room. Additionally, another $12,000 provided for general park improvement.
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