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New Wilson Brewer Park Foundation Board goes to work

Webster City Mayor John Hawkins, far right, administers the oath of office to members of the newly-formed Board of Trustees who will take over management of Wilson Brewer Park. Trustees include from left, Doug Bailey, Kolleen Taylor, Ryan Ruipiper, Mark Roberts and Tamiann Parrott.

Two years ago, Dean Bowden announced his intention to give a million dollars to Wilson Brewer Park.

His vision included establishing a perpetual endowment, securing an acre of land owned by Hamilton County adjacent to the park, and appointing a professional curator. He favored a new, independent board which would have full responsibility for managing the park similar to those at Kendall Young Library and Fuller Hall Recreation Center.

More than these things, though, he wanted to see the City of Webster City and Hamilton County work together to fund and manage the park into the future.

Every one of these aspects of Bowden’s vision became reality Wednesday night as the new Wilson Brewer Park Foundation Board of Trustees was seated for its first meeting at City Hall.

The board’s five members were appointed from both City and County.

Representing the City of Webster City are Tamiann Parrott, who will serve a three-year term; and Mark Roberts, who will serve two years. Hamilton County is represented by Ryan Rupiper, appointed for a three-year term; and Kolleen Taylor, who joins the board for a two-year term. The fifth, at-large board member, is Doug Bailey, whose term runs three years.

Rupiper said he was “excited to bring new ideas and more activity to the park in future. Two projects I’d say need immediate attention are 24-hour lighting and repairs and repainting of the depot.”

Parrott added, “We’ll work together with the county to create a legacy for the whole community at Wilson Brewer Park. It will offer history and pleasure at the same time. I’m excited to be a part of this.”

Taylor, whose family were among Hamilton County’s earliest settlers in the 1840s, commented, “I’m glad this new board has been formed and especially that it will be a joint city-county effort. I look forward to working with the other trustees to develop a scope of work for this very exciting and important project.”

County Supervisor Jerry Kloberdanz thanked the new trustees for “applying for, and accepting an important role in the future of Wilson Brewer Park.” He told them, “It’s going to be a lot of hard work, but don’t think you’re in this alone. Lots of good, qualified people are standing by to help you, including Webster City Parks & Recreation and the whole staff of Hamilton County.”

John Hawkins, mayor of Webster City, concurred, saying, “Don’t be afraid to ask for help, whatever it is. We want this effort to succeed as much as you do.”

Kloberdanz suggested the board’s first responsibilities should be deciding when and where to meet, and who will serve as officers. Next, he advised the trustees to work their way through a substantial “Manual for the Board of Trustees for Wilson Brewer Park” a document prepared by Gary Groves.

Kloberdanz told the trustees they were empowered to “quickly take over operation of the park. You should select officers, standardize operating procedures, and use the funding provided each year to hire staff, make repairs, and improve the park as you decide.”

Both the city and county will appoint a representative to attend each meeting of the Board of Trustees, and will review the finances of the park annually. For each of the first five years of the new board’s life — 2024 through 2028 — the city and county will each provide $50,000 for the trustees to use in managing the park.

After 2028, interest from the endowment financed by the Bowden gift will fund the park into perpetuity, although private donations are expected to play a key role.

Bailey, the only member of the board to have served on the City of Webster City’s Wilson Brewer Park Commission, said, “In many ways this is a bright new day for Wilson Brewer Park. The joint effort of the City of Webster City and Hamilton County matched by significant private funding of the Bowden family really sets this new board up for success in the operation and future development of the park. Over the years the city and staff and many private individuals and staff have given their time, labor and treasure to keep Frank Bonebright’s dream alive. I believe that today we are keeping faith with the efforts of all those who have come before us.”

Groves, who chaired the Wilson Brewer Park Commission since 2016, and managed the complex legal aspects of the agreement between city and county which created the new Foundation, pledged his continued support for the park’s new management and mission:

“My role these past eight years in serving as chairperson for the Wilson Brewer Historic Park Advisory Committee has ended, but my commitment in bringing a new life to this old, but historic park remains with my full endorsement and support for this newly-formed board of trustees dedicated to the continued growth and sustainability of this great park for future generations to which I herein pledge my time, my effort and my treasure to assure that end.”

In its first official actions, the board elected officers and set a time for its next meeting. Bailey will serve as chairman; Rupiper as vice-chairman; Taylor as secretary; and Parrott as treasurer. The board’s next meeting is Tuesday, August 13, at 6 p.m. in the Depot Museum at Wilson Brewer Park. All meetings are open to the public.

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