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The Sunrise Meadows neighborhood park has been re-named and dedicated as Norman August Tolzmann Park. The honor was made official Saturday, June 28 by proclamation of the city council of Wyoming and the Wyoming Township Board declaring June 28 Norm Tolzmann Day.

Dozens of people enjoyed the brief ceremony and refreshments in the shelter at the beautifully maintained park, at Finland Avenue and 274th.

Tolzmann was born in August 1923. He lives on Highway 8, in the township, where he has worked in the ornamental iron trade for decades. Tolzmann served on the Township Board for years and represented the town in Washington D.C. at national conventions in 1989 and 1997. He said he's among good company with his personal moniker on this park now, along with other area parks named for pioneering families. "I am humbled, thank you" he told those gathered, with uncharacteristic brevity.

Speakers shared memories of Tolzmann and anecdotes about his township service. He promoted creation of recreational facilities long before it was popular. He aided in bringing the township into the modern times with zoning and road inventories. His committment to creating and protecting parks and open spaces was "steadfast" according to Wyoming Town Board Chair Roger Elmore. Elmore added that town and city officials continue to seek out Tolzmann's knowledge and remembrances of how things came to be and Tolzmann has been an invaluable asset.

Tolzmann's son Ken noted that as a child he thought his dad was "complaining a lot." But as he aged and became aware of politics and public policy debate he came to realize his dad was just fully engaged, adding, "I saw this was a true passion for him."

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