Kenosha Parks Commission approves summer and fall event permits, electrical work and easement; denies proposed balloon ride

The Kenosha Parks Commission on June 9 approved permits for several summer and fall events, accepted an easement and construction quote and denied an event application that included tethered balloon rides after the applicant withdrew those parts of the proposal.

The approvals included permits for the YMCA golf outing, a Kenosha Lakefront Run using Simmons Island and Kennedy Parks on July 18, a Snap-on anniversary celebration at Sunnyside Tide Park, a Juneteenth Kenosha celebration with vendor booths and a street closure on June 14 and a bonfire at Alford Beach on Sept. 21. The commission also approved a temporary limited easement with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for grading and sloping near Washington Park, accepted a construction quote from ECI for electrical improvements at Simmons Island Beach House and approved an assignment of a site lease after the property buyer notification that US Settlers had been acquired by T‑Mobile.

Why it matters: the actions clear multiple permit requests that affect downtown lakefront parks and neighborhood sites this summer and into the fall, and they authorize near-term work on Simmons Island infrastructure and routine administrative transfers tied to communications site leases.

Key approvals and outcomes

- Memorial marker, Kennedy Park (agenda item 1): The commission held a public hearing and approved a request from Yamahaowskito place a memorial marker near the Memorial Tree in Kennedy Park in memory of Joanne Williams. Commissioner Mahalski announced an abstention on the item, citing personal reasons; the motion passed. (Vote tally recorded by the commission: 4 yes, 1 abstain.)

- YMCA golf outing donation (item 2): Approved without discussion. (Vote: unanimous approval recorded as "aye" by the chair.)

- Kenosha Lakefront Run (item 3): Approved…