Allouez Parks

It is easy to travel around the village of Allouez without realizing the natural gems residents have available in the form of neighborhood parks. In fact, Allouez has twelve parks and a Community Center located on over 300 acres of village land. They range in size from the 51 acres at Green Isle Park to the .10 acre at Allouez Optimist Kayakers Point. Their uses depend on their terrain and location, and each serves a unique purpose.

The Allouez Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department is tasked with the maintenance and improvement of the parks. The mission of the department is “to provide parks, recreation, outdoor opportunities, and greenspace stewardship, for the enjoyment and well-being of all, in a fiscally responsible manner”.  One of the department’s responsibilities in fulfilling this mission is planning and it has recently published the 2016-2020 Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. Made public in December 2015 the plan describes the rationale for maintaining the parks and improvement goals for the next five years. There are specific projects planned for each park in the coming years, ranging from major developments like a new shelter to the installation of improved lighting. The entire plan is available on the village website.

There are several different types of parks, as defined by the National Recreation and Parks Association.  This group has written definitions for a variety of recreational spaces including neighborhood parks, community parks and special use areas. Neighborhood parks are described as serving as the recreational and social focus of the neighborhood. They can be used for active or passive recreation. Community parks serve a broader purpose than neighborhood parks. They focus on meeting community based needs or preserving unique landscapes or open spaces. Special use indicates a broad range of parks and facilities focused on a single use. Allouez has examples of each of these three types of parks. Allouez’s new plan uses this terminology and the village has examples of each.

A neighborhood park with many uses is Patrick Henry Martin Webster Park Sports Complex. Located behind Webster School, it consists of fifteen acres of gently sloping land. In the summer the park is active most evenings with baseball and softball on six diamonds. Football is played in the fall on the lighted field. The park features a family friendly sledding hill which makes the park a very popular destination during the winter.

The ten acre Allouez Optimist Park, on the corner of Libal Street and Kalb Street, is home to the Miracle League baseball diamond. The Allouez Optimist Miracle League of Green Bay is a non-profit organization that provides an opportunity for mentally and physically challenged children to play baseball. Through generous donations the field was modified to make it accessible for all of the players. The league hosts games here in June and July.

A variation on the neighborhood park theme is peaceful Sunset Park. At just three acres, this quiet green space is located between Sunset Circle and the Fox River. It features benches, picnic tables and a view of the Fox River. A recent addition is a sculpture of three waterfowl taking wing. There may not be a better spot to enjoy the majesty of a sunset over the Fox.

Green Isle Park is the only park in the village considered a community park. There is a large shelter and concession stand on the grounds that make this park a popular setting for large group events. The Historic Allouez Society holds events there and it may be rented out for private parties. The Allouez Optimist Club hosts Allouezfest and the Precious Metals Car Show in June of each year. The two gazebos set among the trees make a picturesque setting for wedding party photos. Green Isle also has neighborhood park features such as baseball diamonds and tennis courts for summer use and an ice skating rink in the winter. The Resch Family East River Trail goes through the park and is available for bicycling, running, and cross country skiing.

An example of a special use park in Allouez is Allouez Optimist Kayakers Point at the foot of Lazarre Street. It provides at grade access to the Fox River for kayakers and canoeists. There is easy access off of the Fox River Trail and Riverside Drive.

There are many reasons that people choose to live and work in Allouez and the availability of accessible and well-maintained park facilities is one of them. Based on the plan developed by the Allouez Parks Department it appears that parks of all types will continue to add value to the village.