Fort Fun fundraiser next week

By Steve Van Kooten

Over the past year, Fort Fun’s struggles have been documented through council meetings and public announcements. 

The park, which is close to 30 years old, is in need of improvements — and it’s more than just a facelift.

At the Feb. 4 common council meeting, City Administrator Chad Abram announced that the first fundraiser for the Fort Fun improvement project will take place on Feb. 20 at The Barn from 4 to 10 p.m.

“There will be some guest waiters throughout the late afternoon into the early evening at The Barn,” he said.

Abram said he would be included on the roster of guest servers, as would Police Chief Kyle Teynor. They will be working at the event from 6 to 8 p.m.

According to Mike Wallace, Prairie du Chien’s parks, recreation and forestry director, guest servers will change every two hours, and a portion of sales during the fundraiser will go to the Fort Fun project.

Wallace expects to have “some sort of conceptual drawing of the park” available by that time, and he confirmed that “they are going that route” for an all-inclusive style playground. Similar playgrounds have been built in nearby communities, including Platteville.

So, if you’ve got a hankering for ribs next Thursday night, stop in and give a little money to one of Prairie du Chien’s most prominent parks. It’s a lot better to have Fort Fun rather than Fort None.