Commission charts future of Hiawatha Pageant Park

Members of the Hiawatha Pageant Park Commission have created a to do list of things they want to accomplish over the next year.

The list includes items that would establish the park, such as the development of the existing wildlife and nature trail; the development of a butterfly habitat, accomplished by not spraying the milkweed that has established; the completion of research on Club House renovation costs versus building something new; and holding a Clean-up the Park day that community members could participate in, while also cleaning-up the lake of sunken debris and exploring what it would take to stock it with fish.

Meanwhile, the commission also wants to promote usage of the park by holding new events, such as a Fall Fest in October 2015, while reviewing entertainment venues they want to continue to promote or expand.

We have endless opportunities, said Greg Carrow, commission member. We just have to figure out how were going to do everything.

The city of Pipestone took ownership of the former Pageant grounds earlier this year, named it Hiawatha Pageant Park, and convened the seven-member commission that serves in an advisory capacity to the City Council on park policies, procedures, usage, maintenance and fundraising.

ome of the changes that have occurred since the commission began meeting has been the approval of signage that would notify the public not to climb on the cliffs, not to hunt in the park and to keep motorized vehicles confined to improved surfaces only. In addition, security lighting has been ordered and the City Council approved funding last month to connect the property to city sewer, instead of the private onsite septic system that currently serves the property. The sewer line was expected to be installed the week of Dec. 1.

Through consensus, the commission also agreed that the Fourth Street entrance would be the parks main entrance, with the more visible Hiawatha Avenue entrance used only for events.

During the commissions latest Nov. 24 meeting, more information was presented on costs for renovating the existing Clubhouse. The commission is considering the best option for the future: a renovation or a tear-down/rebuild.

Scott Swanson, who is also the citys Public Works director, said he had received a ballpark estimate from a contractor that to stud, insulate and sheetrock the Club House, the cost would be under $20,000.

Hell bring prices to a future meeting on different-sized building packages.

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Commission charts future of Hiawatha Pageant Park