Two Rivers
Central Park Schmitt Brothers Stage
and the 1976 Central Park Bandstand
and the 1976 Central Park Bandstand
In 2023, Two Rivers completely revamped Central Park.
Included in this webpage are both the 2023 version and the 1976 one.
2023 Central Park Schmitt Brother Stage
The new Schmitt Brothers Stage, named after the locally famous four barbershop quartet brothers, was dedicated on July 16. 2023, along with all the many new Park renovations amid great fanfare. Included was music by several Wisconsin groups including the Spicy Tie Band, Ten Strings Acoustics, and Lakeshore Wind Ensemble. In his dedication remarks, former Mayor Jim Schmitt (son of the quartet's lead singer) said "It was in this very park that Two Rivers welcomed their hometown heroes after they won the SPEBSQSA title in 1951. If the quartet were alive today, they would be thrilled to hear the harmony of this wonderful celebration and see this city coming together to create and enjoy the beautiful park."
8/13/2023; A plaque located at the back of the Stage honors the Schmitt Brothers
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8/13/2023; A plaque at the back of the Stage describes the Schmitt Family
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8/13/2023; A plaque sits atop the back of the Stage
What was behind the decision to redevelop Central Park? The question was where to locate a new splash pad and winter ice skating rink in the City. So, In 2021, the City formed a nine-member planning committee made up of City Council representatives, the Advisory Recreation Board, Two Rivers Main Street, City Staff and citizen to review options. Parkitecture & Planning, LLC, assisted in the process. After review, the committee agreed on an ambitious design - to rebuild Central Park West in the heart of downtown. Included would be all the bells and whistles of its desired features from replacing the bandstand, adding a splash pad and ice skating rink that looped the site, enlarging the Park's footprint by narrowing West Park St., to building a pavilion structure with restrooms and concession area plus mechanical and electrical controls for all. The pavilion was to harmonize its architecture with the nearby historic J.E. Hamilton Community House. By summer 2021, the "Central Park West 365" concept was established to implement the plan.
A fund raising committee was formed for the $1.7M Park project. To begin, the City committed to $500K and later added $50K as a contingency fund. A $300,000 challenge grant from the West Foundation was received. Further funding of $359K was provided with naming right gifts and included: $100K for the Stage from the extended Schmitt family; $65K from the Rotary Club of Two Rivers; $60K from David Wage and Sandra Murzyn Wage; $44K in memory of former council member Jim Taddy; $50K from Bank First; $25K from Fox Communities Credit Union; $15K from NextEra Energy. Other donations totaled $227,500 from 21 other major businesses (including an additional $22K from the Schmitt family), organizations and individuals. A Vibrant Spaces grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) contributed $50K. Community members had the opportunity to purchase engraved pavers and 276 pavers quickly sold out, raising $118,000. They can be seen at the front of the stage.
Vinton Construction won the bid for the project in December 2022. The goal was to complete the Park by mid summer 2023. City staff worked in close coordination with Vinton. City staff installed the Schmitt Brothers Stage and its surrounding concrete work while Vinton completed the rest. The decorative metal panels at the back of the stage were designed and fabricated by Raider Manufacturing classes of Two Rivers High School. HMF Innovations manufactured the park furnishings.
A fund raising committee was formed for the $1.7M Park project. To begin, the City committed to $500K and later added $50K as a contingency fund. A $300,000 challenge grant from the West Foundation was received. Further funding of $359K was provided with naming right gifts and included: $100K for the Stage from the extended Schmitt family; $65K from the Rotary Club of Two Rivers; $60K from David Wage and Sandra Murzyn Wage; $44K in memory of former council member Jim Taddy; $50K from Bank First; $25K from Fox Communities Credit Union; $15K from NextEra Energy. Other donations totaled $227,500 from 21 other major businesses (including an additional $22K from the Schmitt family), organizations and individuals. A Vibrant Spaces grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) contributed $50K. Community members had the opportunity to purchase engraved pavers and 276 pavers quickly sold out, raising $118,000. They can be seen at the front of the stage.
Vinton Construction won the bid for the project in December 2022. The goal was to complete the Park by mid summer 2023. City staff worked in close coordination with Vinton. City staff installed the Schmitt Brothers Stage and its surrounding concrete work while Vinton completed the rest. The decorative metal panels at the back of the stage were designed and fabricated by Raider Manufacturing classes of Two Rivers High School. HMF Innovations manufactured the park furnishings.
8/13/2023; Metal work at the back of the stage designed and fabricated by Metal Art Backdrop by Two Rivers High School
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8/13/2023; Plaque describing metal art backdrop
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Free concerts are held regularly during the summer months.
It is also available for dances, weddings, and other entertainment.
It is also available for dances, weddings, and other entertainment.
1976 Central Park Bandstand
7/17/2018
Two Rivers Central Park is in the heart of downtown Two Rivers. In 1976 the bandstand was built and dedicated to Lorenz Lueck, the Two Rivers Municipal Band director from 1921 to 1961. A Bicentennial time capsule with 1976 mementos was placed there and is to be opened July 4, 2026.
Local service clubs - Kiwanis, Rotary, Jaycees Lions, and Silver K Kiwanis - helped to raise the goal of $24,000 needed to build the bandstand. Plans for an acoustically designed shell that can hold up to 60 people on stage were created by Gene Maloney. Groundbreaking was in May and construction took about one month. The new bandshell replaced an older structure from 1902. In 2016 the roof was replaced, it was painted, and wind/sunscreen was added on the west side. Benches surrounding the stage can accommodate 300.
4/3/2005
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4/3/2005
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4/3/2005
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Two Rivers is known as the birthplace of the ice cream sundae. Although other cities claim this title, this is the only one endorsed by the National Register of Historic Places. A Wisconsin Historical Marker in Central Park tells the story and banners have lined the streets celebrating it as the "Home of the Ice Cream Sundae". |
4/3/2005
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