The West Bend Finance Committee on Aug. 18 voted to accept a slate of donations to the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department and heard a summary of recent Parks and Recreation Commission activity.

Mike (staff) presented the donation list and described both monetary gifts and in‑kind sponsorships that supported events and park programs. Notable cash donations included a $5,000 installment from Westbury Bank Charitable Foundation toward beach house renovations (final installment of a $25,000 pledge), $1,650 in beer‑garden proceeds from G.E.R.S., $5,100 from West Bend Friends of Parks and Recreation for youth programs and staff T‑shirts, and $400 from the West Bend Disc Golf Club for disc‑golf course support. In‑kind sponsorships for the 2025 Journey Ninja Mud Run included meals, printing, water bottles and event bags supplied by local businesses and organizations; staff estimated a $4,000 in‑kind donation for meals and additional smaller contributions.

Committee members thanked sponsors and approved Resolution No. 27 accepting the donations by voice vote.

Parks and Recreation Commission report (Aug. 14): commissioners and staff reported a strong season at the city’s aqua park. June and July combined sales were reported at $149,750 in person plus $73,000 in presold tickets for a combined $222,750, roughly triple last year’s comparable sales. Park tours identified capital and maintenance needs at Glacier Blue Hills (parking lot work) and the Munch neighborhood play lot (equipment more than 30 years old; replacement needed), and staff noted progress on the Loch La Ron nature playground ribbon cutting scheduled for Sept. 24. Staff and volunteers were also thanked for emergency response and cleanup following the Aug. 10 flooding.

What happens next: the donations will be recorded and used as designated; staff will continue to advance capital planning for parks projects and pursue grant and donation funding as noted by the commission.