Employees from Northwind Solar finish staining the wood on solar array infrastructure on June 25. (Metro Wire photo)

Solar canopy installed at Groholski Park on Hwy. HH

By Brandi Makuski

Stevens Point — The city’s newest park is now home to a new solar canopy shelter.

John S. Groholski Park was christened in April 2021, after being donated in late 2020 to the city’s park system by Judy Groholski, in memory of her late husband, on the condition it is largely preserved as natural land.

In recent months, city parks crews were seen conducting some logging operations at the park, which is part of phase one in the development plans.

A highlight of the park is the solar canopy shelter, and according to Mayor Mike Wiza, it’s the first of its kind in a Wisconsin municipal park. The shelter will offer shade, a free electric vehicle charging station, and generate surplus energy to be sold back to the utility company, which Wiza said reinforced the city’s commitment to sustainability.

“But I don’t want anyone to think we put this together really quick; we’ve been working on this for two years,” Wiza said on Tuesday.

The final design, compared to the original concept (shown above), will not include a horseshoe driveway, as it is not permitted on the county highway. Note that “SWM area” stands for stormwater management area and it is not a swimming area. (Courtesy city of Stevens Point)

The 9.2-acre park, which runs along County Hwy. HH/River View Ave. just north of Ben Franklin Jr. High, will remain largely natural, with a system of walking trails, boardwalks over wetland areas, and a gazebo for gatherings. The main entrance, welcome center, and parking for 10 will be situated off of County Hwy. HH.

Improvements will be made over the next five years, according to Parks Director Dan Kremer.

A grand opening for the park is being planned for August.