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Parks chair highlights Hart Park recovery, park amenities and $250,000 softball diamond estimate debated
Summary
Tom Ertell, chair of Wauwatosa’s Parks and Forestry Commission, reported on park recovery after the August flood, described Firefly Grove Park amenities (including Mama Rosa, saunas and new signage), and said the softball diamond replacement could cost about $250,000; commissioners discussed turf options and rental revenue declines.
Tom Ertell, chair of the Parks and Forestry Commission, told the Community Affairs Committee that Wauwatosa’s parks system continued to be a major community asset in 2025 despite damage and lost rentals after an August flooding event.
Ertell said Firefly Grove Park opened May 28 and that the park’s initial month drew about 6,000 visitors from 32 states; the commission’s broader visitation figures for June–December were consistent with tourism commission totals. He emphasized that Mama Rosa and park amenities—bicycle pump track, ADA‑accessible trails, a sled hill and pavilion—helped attract year‑round activity, and noted the Heat Haven saunas helped activate the park in winter.
The Parks chair provided operational details: the Forestry Department manages more than 27,000 city trees and the commission added 337 trees in the last reporting period; the commission has reduced pruning cycles from roughly 12 years down to about seven. Ertell also noted new park signage and upgrades to the walking track.
On facilities and recovery, Ertell said the Hart Park stadium and other rentals were severely affected by the Aug. 10 flood; stadium rentals and usage dropped substantially and the commission reported only a handful of events since the flood. Ertell estimated the cost to replace the softball diamond at about $250,000 and said the commission is considering options including turf to improve year‑round usability and reduce weather‑related cancellations.
Committee member Oliver Foley urged the commission to pursue turf as a longer‑term solution to increase play and support local youth sports, arguing that turf would provide nearly year‑round use despite the floodplain risk. Ertell said the commission has researched turf and similar projects, noted potential maintenance savings, and recommended a community survey to guide decisions.
Foley also asked about outsourced reservation management for the Molnar Building and an apparent surcharge; Ertell confirmed third‑party management is in place, said operations were paused after the flood and the commission is awaiting elevator repairs before full reopening. The commission has discussed the surcharge percentage but did not provide an exact figure during the meeting.
The committee accepted the report and had no formal votes on parks expenditures at the meeting.
