Oshkosh seeks artists and outside funding for Menominee Park Zoo murals

Parks staff updated the board on a call for artists and early plans to add murals and other aesthetic features at Menominee Park Zoo.

The project is a collaboration among the Parks Department, Discover Oshkosh and Spark Towns, the consultant Discover Oshkosh retained to develop place-focused amenities and visitor attractions. Staff said the city distributed a call-for-artists flyer and intends to interview interested artists, then select multiple artists to produce murals at several locations including the husbandry/service building, the Lakefly Café entry, the old ticket booth, and concrete walls around the otter, bear and fox exhibits.

Staff stressed the murals are meant to reflect the zoo’s mission and create a cohesive visual theme. The presentation also noted concurrent accessibility and surface-improvement work: the Lakefly Café area was made ADA-accessible and some gravel paths inside the zoo are being replaced with asphalt.

Funding for murals is not currently in the Parks Department operating budget. Staff told the board they will pursue grants, donations, Discover Oshkosh tourism funds and possible support from the Community Foundation or the Museum Arts and Culture Board. The parks presenter said the department hopes to complete some work this summer and fall but emphasized funding will determine timing. The planning division has reviewed the concept and staff said the mural permit process will proceed through existing city code for public art applications.

Board members suggested possible funders and partners and asked whether the Murals project needed a formal board action; staff said this was an informational update and no board action was required at this time. Staff also mentioned ongoing conversations about a potential land-based amusement train to run along park paths; that concept was identified as preliminary and will be discussed separately when more details are available.