Sun Prairie Parks Friends, Inc.

Board of Directors:

Jonathan Stevens

Founder, President

Jonathan has been visiting Sun Prairie Parks for over 35 years and enjoys ice skating, canoeing, sledding, snowshoeing, flying kites, climbing trees, bicycling, hammocking, and playing with his daughters in the Sun Prairie parks.

William Dunlop

Founder, Vice President

Bill and his wife, Amy, have been residents of Sun Prairie for 15 years and have a passion for parks. During his engineering career he has designed parks, bike and pedestrian trails, and natural areas. Bill can be seen running or biking on Sun Prairie’s trail system almost any day of the week or helping Groundswell Conservancy at Patrick Marsh.

Jo Kiesow

Founder, Treasurer

Jo has experienced and enjoyed Sun Prairie parks for many years. Her children played at the playgrounds, ice skated at Wetmore Park, sledded at Sheehan Park, and were entertained for hours at the Angell Park pool. Now with her children grown she is playing pickleball at Wyndham Park, attending the concerts in the park at Wetmore Park and walking the dogs in Liberty Park.

Erik Naumoff

Founder, Secretary

Moving to Sun Prairie in 2005, Erik has been enjoying the Sun Prairie neighborhood parks as a means of both relaxation and recreation for years. Moreover, for the past 8+ years, he has been frequenting the Sun Prairie Pet Excercise Area on almost a daily basis along with his two dogs, and serving as a staunch advocate for dog park maintenance, enhancements and expansion.

Bob Holling

Founder, Director At-Large

Bob had served as the Director of Parks, Recreation & Forestry for the City from 1979-2011 until his retirement. He enjoys going for walks, bicycle riding, golfing and the outdoors, including visiting local, state and national parks. He has been a Sun Prairie resident since 1979.

Help maintain the outdoor ice rinks!

Volunteers are needed for the new "Rink Rangers" Adopt-a-Rink Volunteer Program to help with basic ice rink maintenance from Late December through February. Volunteers will help with snow removal, resurfacing (trained volunteers only), general site cleanup, and other maintenance needs as may be needed.

The two city parks that will have ice rinks this year are Wetmore Park (555 North Street) and Renstone Park (1695 Steven Street).

To sign-up, please e-mail rec@cityofsunprairie.com to learn more and sign up to help!

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.”
John Muir
"The measure of any great civilization is its cities and a measure of a city's greatness is to be found in the quality of its public spaces, its parks and squares."
John Ruskin

Do You Want to Help Support the Parks?

Donations to the SPPF General Fund Allow for the Group's Continued Operations and Benefit Sun Prairie Parks.

Make a Donation

Pickleball Complex Expansion Campaign

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America and is seeing tremendous growth in Sun Prairie and among all demographics. SPPF, Inc. and the Friends of Wyndham Hills Pickleball Community are working to raise $60,000 for the construction of four new courts at Wyndham Hills Community Park. The City of Sun Prairie has been asked to match the raised funds for the construction. Once the project is completed, the park will have a total of ten lighted pickleball courts in the complex.

**8.25.21 UPDATE: The Sun Prairie Parks Friends are excited to announce that contributions have been received in excess of the $60,000 goal. Contributions are continuing to be accepted through November 30th to fund additional site amenities such as picnic tables, benches, and shade structures and other supporting improvements for the (4) new courts. For more information on the announcement, read the Sun Prairie Star's Article.**
**11.17.21 UPDATE: Funds to be presented to the City at the Parks, Rec, & Forestry Commission meeting on Wednesday December 8, 2021 at 4:30pm. Request a link to join the Zoom meeting once the agenda is posted on the week of the meeting at the city's website.
**12.21.21 UPDATE: $79,739 was presented to the city for the project at the city council meeting. 12.24.21 Sun Prairie Star Article. Additional funds are being accepted through the project completion.

Informational Flyer Contribute to the Campaign

Upcoming Events

All Participants Welcome

Wednesday January 19, 2022 - 5:00pm

Annual Member Meeting

Zoom - Members Only

The member meeting will be held to conduct elections as required by the SPPF bylaws and to conduct other business and announcements as may need to come before the members. All SPPF members are invited to attend virtually via Zoom. Members can request the meeting link by emailing rsvp@parksfriends.org. Annual Meeting Agenda

Saturday January 29, 2022 3:00pm - 7:00pm

Night at the Ice Rink

Wetmore Park-555 North St

A Frozen Fest event in partnership with the City and Sun Prairie Parks Friends. Enjoy bon fires, s'mores, Working Draft Beer Co. beer garden, music,and hot chocolate at the park while ice skating and snowshoeing.
Sign up to help with the event

Saturday April 23, 2022 9:00am - Noon

Earth Day Park Clean Up

Various park locations to be announced

Annual event to volunteer and help with park clean up and plant trees at the city parks. Volunteers are needed to lead cleanup efforts at each city park.

Saturday May 14, 2022 8:30am - Noon

Invasive Plant Removal Program & Work Session

Sheehan Park

A free informational training session will be offered from 8:30-9:30am on how to identify invasive plants and properly remove and dispose of them. Volunteers can apply their training and help with invasive plant removal at the park from 9:30am-Noon.

September 2022 - Time & Date TBA

Community Playground Build

Royal Oaks Park

Volunteer to help assemble the new playground and equipment at Royal Oaks Park. By not having to contract for the full build cost of the playground, the city is able to reduce the project costs and include project enhancements with the budgeted funds.

Third Wednesday of the Month

Board Meetings

Various Locations - See Schedule

The Sun Prairie Parks Friends, Inc. Board of Directors meet once a month and welcome member and community input at all meetings. Meetings are typically on the third Wednesday of the month at 5:00pm.

SPPF Meeting Schedule

Volunteering

Advocacy

Fund Raising

Birkinbine Park

Wyndham Hills Park

Wetmore Park

Renstone Park