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Wyoming City Council last week accepted the largest donation so far to be used to improve Railroad Park. The First State Bank of Wyoming  donated $100,000 to the “history walk” which is part of the Railroad Park master plan. (see left)  Railroad Park is at the Sunrise Prairie Bike Trailhead approximately at #30 and Viking Boulevard.  

City Administrator Robb Linwood told the council  everybody is excited to put the money to work and grateful for the support.  Additional early donors have helped build the account for Railroad Park to approximately $200,000.  The Hallberg Family Foundation, Rosenbauer, and other major business and individual donations have been pledged recently.

Linwood told the Press the city is nearing completion of an electronic payment  system and there will be an option on-line to submit donations.  Wyoming is posting video to facilitate the contributions and to promote the public’s understanding of the park plan.

The history panels will feature important moments in Wyoming’s story but the final details continue to be worked out for what the panels will contain.
The history walk is a series of panels alongside a curved grassed area that blends into a half-circle of pavers and a performance area for events.  (See diagram.) Decisions are pending on paver honorees and the city will be welcoming citizen and historical society input in general.  The park design is a $350,000 project potentially, Linwood said.

Mayor Lisa Iverson remarked at the council meeting, “I don’t have words to say what this donation (bank) will mean.”  She also extended thanks to the city parks commission members for their work so far on the park planning.

Council member Brett Ohnstad who served on the parks commission prior to his election said parks commission members are looking forward to working on Railroad Park coming together.

In other matters, council approved an experienced municipal maintenance person for hire at $26.81 per hour.  

Kuechle Underground request extended work hours at the East Viking Blvd project area,  and council agreed the company can be on-site until 9 p.m. Mark Erichson, city engineer, said it is not a residential area and it makes good sense so they can get below ground work done in a timely fashion.

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