The Town of Beloit Parks Commission has teamed up with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Rock Road Companies, and the Rotary Club of Beloit to bring improvements to Armstrong-Eddy Park including a new boat launch, newly designed and constructed parking lot, walking paths, and lighting to increase safety in the park. The Town was awarded a grant for nearly $300,000 in matching funds from the DNR, with the project expected to total approximately $550,000. The Rotary Club of Beloit has officially adopted Armstrong-Eddy Park and has applied for grant matching funds with the Rotary International Foundation. The second grant application submitted will focus on park benches, picnic tables, and playground equipment. William L. Beckley, the immediate past President of the Rotary Club, is eager for the project saying, “It is our goal to be a part of a joint effort to upgrade and make more useable the Armstrong-Eddy Park. We look forward to our partnership with the Town of Beloit to make using the park a very positive experience for all”.
Rock Road was initially included in the project to provide new paving of the parking lot. After discussions, Rock Road donated additional paving for a walking path if the Town provided the grading, which the Kennedy Family explained was a way to save the Town a large amount of money and help to accomplish the goal of developing the park to increase local residents’ quality of life. Rock Road has always found ways to partner with the Town and is an invaluable corporate citizen.
In 2017, the Town of Beloit Parks Commission decided the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation & Parks Plan (CORPP) was in need of updating. Public meetings were held to get insight from the community about what they wanted from parks in the Town. Shannon Ladwig, who has been a member of the Parks Commission for over fifteen (15) years and is now the Chairperson, couldn’t contain her excitement when asked about this project explaining, “It was exciting to come up with new ideas and a future for the parks. This new plan brought energy to the committee, and it pulled the community together to make this improvement happen”. Improving Armstrong-Eddy Park is just the start. The next goal will come from the 2018 Comprehensive Plan and the target dates listed therein.
The Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation & Parks Plan 2018 can be referenced on the public Town archive: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-BA4cg3ZFlIpUNlwx6Ekbou2sNgFvTo2
