2023 Elkhorn Community Wish List

ELKHORN COMMUNITY WISH LIST

PREPARED BY:

Katie James Community Grant Writer

(262) 741-9148

kjames@cityofelkhorn.org

INTRO DUCTION

The following proposals address arts education culture diversity, menta development ne are estimates b and current ma publicly or anon

OUR COMMUNITY

ELKHORN AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

3,620students

CITY OF ELKHORN

10,240residents

4,138households

254%haveaneducationlevel ofBachelor’sDegreeorhigher 11.7%ofhouseholdsspeak languageotherthanEnglish

AverageIncome:$32,844 (BelowbothState&NationalAverages)

41%ofchildrenareusing Free&ReducedMealPlan

12.7%ofstudents havedisability

Intop7%ofmostequitable schooldistrictsinWisconsin

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Advocacyfor285 business&communitypartners

Organizestouristdrawssuchas theFoodTruckFestival,Ribfest, Oktoberfest,ChristmasParade, andweeklyFarmer’sMarket.

UNCLE HUNK’S GARDEN

In partnership with the City of Elkhorn, Sue Wallem will be transforming the vacant parcel . .

she owns next to the Elkhorn Chamber of Commerce building into a tranquil downtown public garden for the benefit of the community in honor of her late husband, Gary She is seeking a sponsorforinteriorfeatures,including a permanentarborthatwillextend60feet downthecenterofthespace

The 0.50-acre lot is intended to be an adult-focused quiet public place for gathering and reflection away from the stresses of downtown. Focus will be placed on a dementia-friendly design and accessible features. Plans also include open seating areas for lunch datesandbusinessoutdoorgatherings, alargewaterfeatureforambientsound, and several areas of solitude Sculpturesandartscatteredthroughout theparkaresuretomakethelandmark a highly photographable attraction to encourage tourism and duration of stay intheElkhornbusinessdistrict.

The project has already acquired communitysupportfromboththeCityof Elkhorn(Providingwater,electricity,and trash collection), the Chamber of Commerce (Overseeing its use), and the Elkhorn Rotary Club who is funding the main water feature. Mrs. Wallem was also recently awarded a matching $33,265 grant from the WI Economic DevelopmentCorporation.

The wooden arbor, plantings, and crushed limestone pathway takes its design inspiration from a similar structureattheSistersofNotreDamein Elm Grove, WI and is intended to provide both noise buffer and shade to guests.

The fenced park will be open to the public from sunrise to sunset and can be reserved for private events. Senior, civic, and community groups will be welcome to hold events there at no chargeaswell.

Future 0.50-acre garden location between the Elkhorn Chamber of Commerce and 44-space municipal parking lot on South Lincoln Street. An average 8,000 cars pass by the property each day.

ARBOR

Approximate Location

$30,000

Approximate Location

Inspiration photos; actual design will be overseen by Mrs. Wallem.

DOWNTOWN SPEAKER

The City of Elkhorn would like install a central audio system to promote a positive pedestrian . .

environment for both residents and tourists in the downtown commercial businessdistrict

Similartoaudioinfrastructureinplacein nearbyLakeGeneva,Beloit,andnorthcentral Waupaca, a StreetSounds wireless speaker system would allow pedestrians to enjoy a variety of ambient music throughout the year while spending time in downtown. Music has proven to lengthen duration of stay and retail value in shopping areas, boosting the local economy and highlightingareabusinesses.

The system could also utilized for the manyparades,festivals,anddowntown events using the wireless microphone andmobiletransmitter.Thiswouldallow

for centralized communication during City Memorial Day services, as well as parade announcements and crowd controlfromlawenforcement.

The system would operate year-round during daytime hours from 9:00am9:00pm through a central computer systemlocatedattheElkhornChamber ofCommerce.Dual-speakerunitswould be affixed to existing light posts, which are already outfitted with the necessary bracketingandpowertooperate. Costincludes10units,fixedandmobile transmitters, and five years of licensed commercial-free music Installation wouldtakeapproximatelysixmonthsto ensure sound optimization. Opportunity for future expansion of the system beyond initial radius is available any time with the purchase of additional units.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Elkhorn Area Middle School would like to install a large open-air pavilion with multi-use seating .

onpropertytoprovidestudentswiththe physical and mental health benefits of learningoutdoors.

TheCovid-19epidemicgavetheMiddle School teachers the chance to fully explore the benefits of outdoor educationasanopportunityforchildren to receive more fresh air and sunshine whilelearning.Earlyconcernsregarding lack of focus or concentration while outside of a traditional classroom were unfounded; in fact, the teens were actuallyfoundtothrivemore!Stafffound evenjustoneclassperiodoutdoorsper schooldayalsocreatedamorepositive school experience and attitude for their students, as well as contributed to their overallmentalhealth.

Unfortunately, the soft marshland and lackofshadetreesattheMiddleSchool make this practice a greater challenge than at any other district property becauseitisoftentoomuddyorwarmto seatclassesinthegrass.

The Elkhorn Kiwanis Club and Middle School PTO funded the district's first outdoor classroom on site to address this challenge in 2022. The space proved to be incredibly popular, with as many as 35 students crowded together on the single 15'x20' covered concrete slab and a teacher reservation system nowrequiredforuse.

The District seeks to build an additional 30'x50' covered wooden pavilion with concreteslabfoundationalongthewest side of the property to continue this momentum. The Elkhorn YouthBuild program students will actually build the structure, allowing for greater pride of student ownership and an additional opportunity for education through hands-on learning. All-weather convertibledesksandelectricalservices run from the nearby solar panels will completethespace.

Community and Scout groups would have use of the pavilion as an evening/weekend gathering space, asit is conveniently located near the Sergi ConservationTrailentrance.

PAVILION

COST

$50,000

BENEFICIARY

750StudentsAnnually, CivicandCommunityGroups

RECOGNITION

RibbonCuttingCeremony, ArticleinDistrictNewsletter

TIMEFRAME

Spring2024

The Kiwanis Outdoor Classroom was completed with benchto-desk composite seating donated by the Elkhorn Fund in 2023.

Project would be constructed in Spring 2024 by Elkhorn YouthBuild students.

ANATOMAGE BIOLOGY

As the largest club at Elkhorn Area High School (EAHS) with over 80 students, the Health

Occupation Students of America (HOSA) group requests additional equipment to support educational opportunitiesforitsmembersaswellas allEAHSstudents.

These students are seeking an Anatomage Table for the use of its members, as well as the Advanced Biology,HumanPhysiology&Anatomy, Principles of Biomedical Science, and Human Body Systems classes at EAHS, in order to gain the additional knowledgeandskillsrequiredtofurther their interest in health care education. The equipment provides students with advanced dissection and identification

opportunitiesonbothhumanandanimal "specimens," while still retaining dignity and decorum within the high school classroom environment. Programming also includes over 1,000 histology scans, 1,588 case files for inspection, and66photorealisticprosections.

This high-level equipment has only been previously available to our HOSA students at state and national competitions, when EAHS students are required to demonstrate their competence of human anatomy on this machine as part of skills demonstrations. The classic seven-foot tableworksforsmallgroupassessment; the convertible version transitions from lie-flat to standup viewing to allow for wholeclassroominstruction.

When the Elkhorn Kiwanis Club first constructed the band shell in the Elkhorn .

town square for the Holton Co Community Band in 1926, the original cost was $5,000. Little did they know the tremendous impact this structure would have on this community steeped in musical history and continue to have for its residents even today With the approach of its 100th anniversary, the City of Elkhorn seeks to make critical structural and cosmetic improvements to this community icon to ensure its safetyandlong-lastingcontinueduse.

Designed by G Pheby of Phoenix, AZ, the band shell is considered one of the finest intact historic outdoor music venues in the Midwest It is listed on both the State and National Register of Historic Places for its unique exterior design and thousands of 1"x1" wooden slatssurroundingthestage(onlyoneof two remaining examples of its kind), which provide remarkable acoustical properties to ensure even the weakest of instruments can be heard from hundredsoffeetaway.

The community gathering space is today home to numerous the HoltonElkhorn Band and Elkhorn Area School District Band concerts, as well as the summer Sounds of Sunset concert series Alleventsarefreetoattendand drawapproximately2,000concertgoers eachyeartothesite,inmuchthesame way that it attracted audiences almost 100yearsago.

SUNSET PARK

Thestructurewasoriginallyconstructed inthedowntownsquare,thenmovedin 1962 to Sunset Park to make way for the Walworth County Government Center downtown. Latest repairs to stabilize its foundation, refresh exterior paint, and add a retracting front door closurewerecompletedin1995through a joint effort by the City and private donors. Since that time, severe structural issues have developed at the site, including significant shifting and cracking in the foundation, extensive water damage from leaks in the roof, anddamagetotheretractingdoor.The stage steps and many floor boards requirereplacementaswell

Astructuralrenovationwasestimatedin 2019at$325,000withoutconsideration for additional historic preservation costs. In 2021, the City conducted a community survey to gauge interest in thesiteandconsideritsimprovementor replacement: Over 70% of community residents strongly urged its restoration asacommunitylandmark

The City of Elkhorn requires outside support in order to complete the renovations needed and continue the band shell's legacy. Donors have the opportunity to be part of all levels of planning and restoration decisions, assessments and construction if desired. Donor recognition is open for discussion, including permanent signageonsite,localandregionalpress coordination,andrenamingrightstothe structureitself

BANDSHELL

ORGANIZATION

CityofElkhorn

COST

PriceUponRequest

BENEFICIARY

Communitywide

RECOGNITION

ForConsideration

TIMEFRAME

SiteAssessmentslatedfor2024. Improvementstobecompletedandunveiled for100thAnniversaryonAugust11,2026.

COST

$5,000

OTHER COMMUNITY

WELCOME SIGN BEAUTIFICATION

The Public Works Dept. is seeking funding for Seeds of Hope to beautify the four "City of Elkhorn" municipal signs with plantings and flowers to enhance the entryway appearance for our community. Promote a sense of pride for Elkhorn and opportunity to support non-profit Seeds of Hope.

Approx 350Children

Ages0-5

TIMEFRAME

Fall2023-Summer2024

BOUNCEBACK READING PROGRAM

Esther Weitzel and the EASD 4K teachers have collaborated on a specialized program to empower children impacted by Covid with reading, tactile skills, communication, and social/emotional learning. Funds requested will improve programming quality provide children

IMPACTPROJECTS

COMMUNITY CENTER SEATING

The Community Center located within the Elkhorn library is the largest available public gathering space in the city. It is used by civic groups, children and school groups, Walworth County staff, religious and senior organizations The 20 year old plastic chairs and 15 tables are r

BICYCLING HEALTH PROGRAM

The staff at Walworth County’s public charter high school would like to introduce bicycling at the nearby White River Trail into their physical education curriculum. The school has the largest percentage of Elkhorn area youth struggling with mental health; the program’s aim is to share healthy solutions (such as cycling) as lifelong supports for self care WE Energies Foundation has contributed $1,000 for bicycle helmets and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has waived trail fees for students and staff.

$750each

OTHER COMMUNITY

BACKPACK SNACK PROGRAM

Backpacks with assorted food items are discreetly placed in EASD K-8 student lockers on Fridays to sustain families who are experiencing food insecurity with snacks and meals during weekends and breaks. Coordination and supply acquisition is shared by several community organizations and area churches. You can help!

TIMEFRAME

Fall2023

PEACE BENCHES

The Elkhorn Area High School staff would like to incorporate additional seating into the landscaped area honoring Officer Joe Kirkpatrick at the front of the school These benches would provide the needed extra seating for students and also honor other staff and community members who have left us too soon.

IMPACTPROJECTS

EASD ANGEL FUND

Qualified district families, in coordination with Walworth County social workers and school staff, are eligible for meal plan funding balance relief through this program Funds go to vetted families/caregivers in short-term crisis due to a sudden change in living conditions, divorce, incarceration, abuse, foster care, etc.

EASD EMPOWERMENT FUND

An ongoing close collaboration between EASD Administration and Walworth County Health & Human Services, the Empowerment Fund is administered to vetted families of EASD school children who are experiencing extreme personal crises and require immediate assistance for issues such as homelessness, home heating failure, infestation, extreme poverty, etc

IMPACT PROJECTS

WOODWORKING CLUB STARTUP

$1,500

The Woodworking Class students would like to begin an afterschool club at EAHS and are seeking startup funding (beyond the usual EASD $250 club allocation) in order to purchase initial materials for creations. Their goal is to then sell their designs at craft fairs and farmers markets for the future sustainability of the club under longtime Woods Class teacher Bill Sargent.

EXHALE FAIR

Over 25 health and wellness experts will present a variety of methods to relieve anxiety and improve the physical and mental health of Elkhorn residents in this day-long community expo. A variety of mediation, exercise, and yoga classes will be offered, products available to sample, and professionals will be on hand to provide individual coaching guidance.

Thank you so much for your consideration of the projects in this book. They are the result of 12 months of planning by Elkhorn city officials, school district staff, and partners who are dedicated to the economic development of our community. Each project has been carefully considered and outside funding has already been attempted with either public agencies or private foundations, and in some cases, both

I am now asking for your help to make these dreams a reality Please let me know if you’re interested in a project, if you would like more details about one, or if you’d like to provide