Park & Rec sees plans for concession stand

Baseball

Association would finance stand at Mueller Park

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The New Ulm Park and Recreation Commission looked at a pair of projects earmarked for Mueller and German parks on Monday.

Preliminary sketches of a 20x56 concession building for Mueller Park were presented by Jeff Stromgren of Rice Stromgren Architects, Minneapolis to the Commission and several New Ulm Baseball Association members.

The structure would include a covered area with four tables, concession room with four 8-foot wide roll-up doors, handicapped accessible rest rooms with a total of eight toilets, four sinks and two baby-changing tables and storage and mechanical rooms.

A maintenance-free building exterior featured Artstone reinforced concrete panels mimicking brick and stone and glass blocks. A good view of the entire baseball field is available from the building, Stromgren said.

Estimated building cost was $195,000 including $11,000 in architectural fees. A concrete block exterior could substantially reduce the cost, Stromgren said. The building could be completed by September, 2004.

Director Dave Bechtold said the commission would support the project with baseball association input. Gordy Palmer of the association said he will talk to other members before a decision would be made.

Bechtold said his department would continue to maintain and clean the facility but the expenditure is up to the association. He said the city engineer and building inspector have approved construction specifications.

German Park

Denny Warta presented plans for a 14-pillared pergola at German Park with wood beams and ivy and flowers on top. Concrete slabs will honor early New Ulm pioneers.

A gazebo kiosk will tell the story of Hermann the Cheruscan, German-American settlers and New Ulm historic sites.

Landscape architect Steve Wyczawski, son of former New Ulm Mayor Carl "Red" Wyczawski, will lend his expertise to the project, now in design. It will be constructed by New Ulm High School students.

The structure is expected to be part of the 150th anniversary of New Ulm celebration with a statewide dignitary to honor Ulm, Germany native Albert Einstein and New Ulm artist and author Wanda Gag on Aug. 13. Three musical groups are planned including a Menagerie reunion.

Estimated to cost $85,000 to $90,000, the project will be funded by the Friends of German Park, a non-profit organization.

Soldiers return

Cheryl Kormann, Events/Staffing Coordinator, said soldiers that recently returned to New Ulm and St. James armories will be honored with a flag ceremony Saturday, April 17, at the New Ulm Civic Center. Gov. Tim Pawlenty is expected to receive the flag he gave to troops last August in German Park where they were honored before deploying to Europe.

In other action, commissioners approved a request from Ron Baker of New Ulm to extend park hours to midnight, Saturday, July 31 for an evening car show at North German Park.