Park Commission - Regular Meeting

January 14, 2026 – Regular Meeting Minutes

Discussion/Action regarding the 2026 Richfield WI Farmers Market Event Schedule

In 2024, the Park Commission approved the operation of a farmer’s market in Richfield’s Nature Park, after a successful first year the Farmers Market continued in 2025. In preparing for the 2026 Farmers Market, Ms. Anna Tuinstra would like to set the dates for the 2026 Farmers Market. The application is for the Market to continue to be held in the Richfield Nature Park (Park). The Market would again be on Saturdays. The Market would need use of the Park from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for setup and take down, with the Market’s hours being 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The first Market would be on Saturday, May 30, 2026, and run through Saturday, October 10, 2026. These are very similar hours of operation and essentially the same schedule that was approved for 2024 and 2025. There are several Market dates of note. September 12, 2026, Market will be a special with a movie shown and will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the movie starting around 4:00 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. The Saturday, October 3, 2026, Market would be held during the same time as the Richfield Historical Society (RHS) Blacksmith Day. There will be no Market on June 20, 2026, as RHS is having Art at the Mill, Saturday, July 4, 2026, and Saturday, September 19, 2026, there will be no Market, as it is RHS Thresheree. At the January 14, 2026, Park Commission Meeting the Commission approved all of the dates for the Richfield Historical Society Events in 2026. The Farmers Market calendar matches the request of the Richfield Historical Society.

Discussion/Action regarding a monetary donation from Forte Bank in Heritage Park

In 2025, Village Staff had begun discussions on potential future upgrades in the Village Park system. During these discussions, Staff identified replacing scoreboards at Heritage Park as a pressing need to be upgraded. The Village's current scoreboard units have approached 'end of life' stage for servicing with our current vendor. Each time a scoreboard goes down, the main computer components of the device are removed from the scoreboard and sent to Kentucky to be refurbished. After our last scoreboard was serviced a few years back, we were informed they would no longer be able to obtain parts for our scoreboards due to their age. At the direction of the Park Commission to seek public-private partnerships, Staff created a letter which was mailed to the outgoing President of Forte Bank and the incoming President of the bank. In it, we conveyed that three (3) scoreboards in Heritage Park are being recommended for replacement with the total cost being $12,900. Forte Bank had a meeting of their Board of Directors and has agreed to be the corporate sponsor of one of our scoreboards ($4,300). The sponsorship for the scoreboard would be for the next five (5) years and as a part of this project, there will be a banner installed on the face of the scoreboard, similar to the image below. This donation would be given to the Village of Richfield as a reimbursable grant, so tonight, Staff is seeking approval from the Park Commission for the purchase of a $4,300 scoreboard to secure the donation by Forte Bank.

Discussion regarding the Fireman’s Park Master Plan

In 2025 the Village exercised its option through its shared services agreement with Washington County Planning Department for assistance with the Master Plan for Fireman’s Park. Ms. Hannah Keckeisen, Senior Municipal Planner has been working on drafting the Master Plan. The Master Plan has taken a little longer to draft then originally plan as staffing changes at the County have cause some delays. It is expected that at the next Park Commission Meeting a rough draft of the Master Plan will be ready for review by the Commission.

Discussion regarding the General Park Operations Report

Administrative Services Coordinator Calder presented the General Park Operations Report. Discussion between Commissioner and Staff occurred regarding the General Park Operations Report.