Kenosha parks commission approves summer event permits and awards $385,000 Lincoln Park court contract

The Kenosha Board of Parks Commission on Feb. 10 approved a slate of summer event permits for parks across the city and awarded a $385,000 construction contract for the Lincoln Park basketball court project.

The commission unanimously approved the contract award for project 24026 — Lincoln Park Basketball Court — to Wanna Sack Corporation for $385,000. Staff told commissioners the project includes funds from a grant of $200,000 received last summer; to bring the project within budget staff removed planned court lighting and said lighting may be added later if funds permit. The commission approved the motion to award the contract; the contract will install what staff described as the city’s first ADA-accessible court, with access fencing, a half-court layout and adjustable hoops to accommodate wheelchair basketball.

Braxton Molinaro, creative director of the Kenosha Academy of Performing Arts, introduced his group’s request to use Friendship Park for a staged, outdoor production of Little Shop of Horrors and described volunteer and professional support for the event. "I was born and raised in Kenosha," Molinaro said, adding that his organization represents "over 900 families" and would use volunteers and a professional sound team for the outdoor production. Commissioners asked about ticketing, crowd control and closing time; Molinaro said the event will use wristbands and separate indoor and outdoor seating and that capacity is limited.

Chris Coachman, Community Relations for the City of Kenosha, spoke for two city permit requests: the Peanut Butter & Jam (PB&J) concert series at Veterans Memorial Park and the city’s Veterans Parade route. "I'm here to answer any questions," Coachman said; he told commissioners the parade route will be the same as last year and that the PB&J series is expected to operate similarly to prior seasons. The PB&J permit includes amplified sound, food vendors, temporary structures and limited consumption of malt beverages as allowed by the permit language noted on the agenda.

The commission also approved event permits for: - Saint Leonard Catholic Church’s request for a donated Washington Park municipal golf guest pass (agenda item listed as a request for donation and issuance of a Washington Park golf guest pass). The item was called for public hearing and approved with no public speakers on record. - Panda Fastpitch LLC’s multiple tournament dates and related vendor and temporary structure requests at Forio (dates as listed on the agenda included late April, late May/early June, mid-July, mid-September and an unspecified date in October 2025). The commission approved the permit with no substantive changes. - The Kenosha Academy of Performing Arts' Friendship Park event (Little Shop of Horrors) with vendor and temporary-structure permissions and an adjusted closing time approved for the event. - A city Pop Concert series at Pinoyah Park on Wednesdays from June 18 through Aug. 6, 2025, including amplified sound, food vendors and beverage sales.

Commissioners asked staff practical questions about event logistics. Commissioner White asked about the requested 11 p.m. closing time for the Kenosha Academy event, noting the usual park closing is 10 p.m.; a parks staff member replied that in this case the commission could approve the 11 p.m. closing time. When asked what constitutes an "ADA court," a staff member identified as Katie said the delivered court will have accessible entry, perimeter fencing, half-court dimensions and adjustable hoops so players in wheelchairs can participate.

Votes at a glance (all motions to approve carried): - Saint Leonard Catholic Church — donation/issuance of Washington Park municipal golf guest pass — approved. - Panda Fastpitch LLC — multiple tournament dates, vendors, temporary structures — approved. - Kenosha Academy of Performing Arts — Friendship Park production and associated vendor/temporary-structure permissions; closing time extended to 11 p.m. for the event — approved. - City of Kenosha PB&J concert series (Veterans Memorial Park) including limited malt beverage consumption — approved. - City Pop Concert series (Pinoyah Park) — approved. - Veterans Parade and related park uses (June 23–30, 2025 events and parade route) — approved. - Lincoln Park Basketball Court (project 24026) contract award to Wanna Sack Corporation, $385,000; project funded in part by a $200,000 grant; court lighting removed from the current contract scope to meet budget — contract awarded.

The commission adjourned after approving the items on the agenda. Commissioner Cummings moved to adjourn and the motion was seconded and approved.