The planned space for Cultural Commons inside Bukolt Park. (Courtesy City of Stevens Point)

Grants awarded to Cultural Commons project

February 20, 2018February 20, 2018

By Brandi Makuski

A new pocket park slated for the city’s northwest side is one step closer to becoming reality.

The Cultural Commons project, first introduced during a city plan commission in 2015, received two grant awards of $10,000 from the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin, and the Stevens Point Area Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Tourism Development Committee. Another $50,000 is needed to break ground.

The space will be located at the south end of Pfiffner Pioneer Park, away from the space used for Riverfront Rendezvous and other large-scale events held there.

L-R: Melissa Sabel, TDC member; Leon Ostrowski, Polish Sister City member; Sharon Stratton, Rotary Club of Stevens Point member; Amy Wiza, Nicaragua Partner City member; Sara Brish, TDC member; Julie Bierrenkott, TDC member; Susan Burns Zach, Russian Sister City member; Suzanne Murphy, Rotary Club of Stevens Point member; Jim Anderson, Rotary Club of Stevens Point member. (Contributed)

Cultural Commons will feature multiple natural accents, sculpture work and an outdoor classroom. The project also calls for a pergola, a labyrinth and “space for personal reflection”.

According to the plans submitted to the city, plants reflecting the culture and landscape of sister cities will also be included; informational kiosks, an interactive Smartphone app and improving pedestrian access on Crosby Ave. is also part of the long-term plans.

The new pocket park is a joint project between UWSP, the Stevens Point Rotary, the Wisconsin/Nicaragua Partners of the Americas and groups supporting the sister city relationships with Gulcz, Poland and Rostov Veliky, Russia.

For more information, or to donate to the project, go to www.spculturalcommons.com.