History of Green Bay's Parks

Colburn Park

Creation of the Park

In 1950, 13.25 acres were purchased from John and Rose Kolbusz to be used as a future park site. 1 The park was known as Kolbusz Park for many years. 2

In 1956, the park was officially renamed Enos Colburn Park after a long-time member and president of the Board of Park Commissioners. 3 This change disturbed some; Alderman Leonard Jahn wrote the city council, This park has born[e] the name of Kolbusz for some years now, and I am sure that the Park Board did not give thought to the fact that, among other things, it is a personal affront to the Kolbusz family. 4

The Colburn family, on the other hand, was pleased. One of Enos Colburn's daughters wrote to the city, It is a kind and thoughtful gesture and a beautiful monument to his name. 5 Another daughter wrote, Recently I visited the park and no finer tribute could have been pa[i]d to him. 6 The family later provided a memorial marker 7 which was manufactured by Sewah Studios in Ohio 8 and dedicated November 30, 1962. 9 (That marker was stolen and a replacement was made in 1965. 10)

Early Development

The early development of the park was marked by heavy involvement of the neighbors as residential development occurred around the fringes of the park property.

A shelter house was constructed in 1955. 11 Petitions from 43 residents living on Highview Lane and Ernst Drive opposed the original location, pointing out that the Public Toilets would be only 50 feet away from the extreme South West corner lot line of … 1152 Highview Lane [which is] a beautiful, large, split rock [and] brick ranch house and offering the suggestion of placing the shelter closer to Ninth Street where provisions are already made for automobiles to drive into the park. 12

The next year, 1956, 18 neighbors living on Ernst Drive wrote to object to the development of a baseball diamond in Kolbus[z] park in any other location than that as laid out by the City Planner. 13

That summer there seems to have been a crime wave in the area near the park. The local alderman identified offenses against people and property which seem to originate from the park. I am asking the Park Board to immediately start clearing the bushes and underbrush from this woods … for the safety of the people and the beauty of the park. 14

In 1957, residents on Loch Drive petitioned for planting and landscaping of the south & west slopes behind their houses 15 where the land had been cut down (presumably in order to level the yards for development). The park department had had difficulty establishing plantings on the surface of the cuts. 16

The lively public debate didn't prevent continuing park development through the 1950s and 1960s. Tennis courts were constructed in 1962. 17 A lighted softball field and hockey rink were developed in 1965. 18

Expansion

About 40 acres were added to the park over a period of 20 years. Residential development at the edges of the area led to a number of complications.

Tony Canadeo, who lived next to the park at 1088 Ernst Drive, bought a triangular piece of land from the park in 1955 to even up the boundary line. 19 In 1964, Canadeo was granted the use of an additional 2 - 4 feet of park land in order to avoid his having to cut down trees to use his back yard recreation area, with the stipulation this additional land would revert back to the park on demand. 20

The platting of lots in the Loch Subdivision left two landlocked parcels north and northeast between the house lots along Loch Drive and park property and also landlocked another parcel north of the subdivision and behind the houses on Fisk Street. 21 The city refused one of these parcels in 1958 because the price was too high and other refusals followed in 1959, 22 but in the mid-1960s, with the use of $5,000 in state aids, 23 these outlots were all purchased for the park. 24 City Forester Tim Lang donated the last small outlot, a parcel behind houses on Fisk Street and on Loch Drive, in September of 1966. 25

To the north, of deep lots along Mason Street were divided to create lots on Shirley Street, with the southern and northern portions retained by the original owners. This division of the land would have made sense had another street been constructed west from Locust Street, but this did not happen. In 1961, several owners agreed to sell to the city. 26 By 1966, the owners were complaining that they had petitioned for a street and have been turned down and they felt that the city is obligated to see that no property remains land-locked. 27 The planning department agreed that the private lands in question be acquired 28 and appraisals were made 29 but due to a dire need for the purchase of property in other areas 30 the purchases were delayed until January of 1968. 31

In 1966, the city formally dedicated the entire current park area for park purposes by ordinance. 32

Continuing Improvements

A comprehensive development plan for the north end of the park included sports fields, parking, and a shelter house. 33 The new shelter house, parking, and a road from the Fisk Street entrance were built in 1969-1972, making use of matching funds. 34

In the early 1980s, an addition to the shelter house was constructed. 35

One popular activity which became problematic was sledding down snow-covered slopes near Loch Drive; after going down hill sleds frequently reached private property or entered the traffic lanes. Early in 1988, the city council asked the police to control sledding with barricades as necessary 36 but also rejected a suggestion to close half of the easterly section of Loch Drive that winter. 37 Various methods were tried to control sledding short of banning the activity, including restrictions on the use of a portion of Lock Drive and placing hay bales to stop sledders from running into private fences. 38 These efforts proved to be inadequate, however, so that in January of 2001 the resident of the nearest house wrote to the city requesting the banning of sledding. 39 Just 13 months later, the police observed people sledding into and across Loch Drive on a Saturday; although sledders agreed to move when the danger was pointed out to them, new sledders continued to arrive and resume the dangerous practices and after consultations a decision was reached to shut [the] whole hill down. 40

The large grassy area in the center portion of the park was striped for soccer fields in the later 1980s. The influx of players, parents, and other soccer fans created a parking problem; it appears that numerous cars were ticketed for improper parking and the resulting complaints spurred a study of the issue in 1989. 41 The soccer fans also had an effect on the neighbors. Organized teams were asked to have players, coaches and spectators occupy the west side of the field(s) away from the residents on Ernst Dr. 42 One of those residents clearly delineated the difference in point of view between residents and soccer families when he wrote, A park should be a respite from the noise, turmoil and complexity of city life and decried the noise from soccer fans and coaches shouting instructions; this writer called for the removal of [all the] soccer fields from Colburn Park no later than January 2005. 43 That hope was unrealistic, given the large numbers of supporters of organized soccer in Green Bay; the Green Bay Kickers reported that approximately 1,200 children registered for the 2004 soccer season 44 and soccer continued to be played at the park.

The Green Bay Water Utility was given approval to construct a new pump station in Colburn Park. Considerable care was given to ensuring the building would not detract significantly from the park and neighboring residential area. 45 After its completion in 1996, the old Water Utility building in Colburn Park was donated to the department. 46

Colburn Pool

In 1965, plans were made to build a swimming pool in Colburn Park, although there was controversy about locating the pool within a heavily wooded area which is also close to the houses on Fisk Street. 47 The Olympic-sized outdoor swimming pool opened in 1967. 48

Early in 2002, as the city's outdoor pools grew older, a plan was announced to have both Fisk and Colburn pools open this year, but Colburn will close for renovation in 2003 and then reopen as an aquatic center in 2004. Fisk Pool would be permanently closed once a renovated Colburn is opened. 49 The new Colburn Pool would have included water slides, zero-depth entry, and other features actually implemented at both Fisk and Joannes parks. 50 However, the plan touched off vehement opposition in both the Colburn and Fisk areas. Residents near Fisk Park wanted an aquatic center, while in the Colburn area others opposed the change from a standard swimming pool design. One opponent prepared a 5-page document of Objective Points on Why Amusement Aquatic Center Can Not be Located at Colburn Park. 51 The new aquatic center was constructed at Fisk. 52

Notes

1 Missing. The PRF file contains a copy of warranty deed from 1950, but it is for a small residential area in the southeastern corner of the park along 9th Street which now contains two private residences: Joseph John Kolbusz and Rose Kolbusz to City of Green Bay, dated May 29, 1950; recorded volume 291, page 403. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1965.
2 Many long-time residents continued to use the name Kolbusz Park for many decades; for example, personal conversation with John A. Christianson, November 14, 2010.
3 Undated resolution renaming the park from Kolbusz Park to Enos Colburn Park and signed by Lloyd Lindner. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1965.
4 Letter, Alderman Leonard Jahn to Common Council dated August 21, 1956. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1965.
Also letter from Don Kolbusz to Park Board dated November 14, 1956, saying, It is true the property was not donated, but the idea of preserving the property as a park was my father's.
5 Letter, Irene Colburn Peacock to Marshall Simonds, Green Bay Park Board, dated July 23, 1956. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1965.
6 Handwritten letter, Florence Colburn Wilterding, dated October 10, 1956. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1965.
7 Copy of letter from Vernon Krieser, Director of Parks and Recreation, to Mrs. John H. Wilterding dated August 8, 1962; reply from Florence Colburn Wilterding to Krieser, dated August 12, 1962; copy of letter from Krieser and Board of Park Commissioners to Florence Colburn Wilterding, Ralph Colburn, and Mrs. Mark Peacock expressing appreciation for the donation. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1965.
8 Correspondence between Vernon Krieser and Sewah Studios of Marietta, Ohio, dated September 6 to 13, 1962. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1965.
9 Invitation to dedication of marker dated November 16, 1962. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1965.
10 Copy Sewah Studio order form dated August 10, 1965. A handwritten note on the reverse reads, First marker was stolen – original marker ordered in September, 1962. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1965.
11 Foeller, Schober, Berners, Safford & Jahn, Architects; bid summary dated September 17, 1954; copy of resolution by Common Council that contracts for the construction of a shelter house in Kolbusz Park be awarded dated December 7, 1954. The bid summary included both a Complete Building with a basement, heating plant, showers, kitchen and concessions and Toilet Room only. No basement. No Heating system. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1965.
12 Petition dated October 23, 1954. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1965. (It is not completely clear how the final decision about the shelter's location was made, nor could I discover the shelter in the 1960 aerial photography from the Borwn County Land Information System available at http://maps.gis.co.brown.wi.us/geoprime/.)
13 Petition, hand dated 5/15/56. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1965.
14 Letter from alderman Leonard Jahn to Common Council, dated July 3, 1956. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1965.
15 Petition from Ray Leicht and other residents on Loch Drive to Green Bay Park Department dated 4/15/57. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1965.
16 Copy of reply from M.G. Simonds to Ray Leicht dated May 9, 1957. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1965.
17 Copy of resolution of Common Council dated July 3, 1962, awarding contract to J.C. Basten. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1965.
18 Copy of handwritten proposals from Stiegler Electric Service, Inc., for lighting the softball and hockey areas. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1965.
19 Copy of letter from Board of Park Commissioners by Esther Nye, secretary, to Clarence Nier, City Attorney, dated October 13, 1955. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1965.
20 Copy of resolution by Board of Park Commissioners dated July 1, 1964. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1965.
21 Certified survey map, Robert D. Hall, Land Surveyor, dated December 3, 1962. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1965.
22 Record of Park Board meeting of December 12, 1958, declining to purchase a parcel from Arthur Black; letter from Clifford Centen, City Clerk, to Park Board and Finance Committee, dated December 2, 1959, reporting a decision of the city council not to purchase land east of Fisk Street. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1965.
23 Letter from Olive Oudeans, Deputy City Clerk, to Krieser dated September 29, 1965, certifying council action of March 2, 1965; application for state aids to Department of Resource Development dated September 29, 1965. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1965.
Letter from Paul A. Pratt, Director, Department of Resource Development, to Vernon Krieser, Director of Parks and Recreation, dated January 20, 1966, saying Enclosed is a check for $5,000.00 covering state reimbursement for the three parcels in the Colburn Park Project. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park 1966-1970.
24 Appraisal letters, Neufeldt Appraisal Co. to Green Bay Park Department dated August 22, 1964; copy of memo from Vernon H. Krieser to Mayor Roman P. Dennisen and city council dated December 12, 1964, outlining the property to be purchase; copy of letter from Krieser to Walter B. Neufeldt dated March 5, 1965, advising that the council had approved the purchases on March 2, 1965; copies of warranty deeds to City of Green Bay by Minnie Wheaton (dated April 23, 1965), Robert E. Van Caster and Laverne R. Van Caster (dated April 22, 1965), and Arthur Black (April 22, 1965). PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1965.
25 Letter from Tim D. Lang to Green [Bay] Board of Park Commissioners dated July 6, 1966; copy of warranty deed by Tim D. Lang and Roxanna J. Lang dated September 13, 1966. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1965.
26 Series of correspondence between the city and the Mason Street landowners dated from May to August, 1961. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1966-1970.
27 Copy of minutes of Finance Committee meeting February 21, 1966; see testimony of John Kassner. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1966-1970.
28 Copy of memo from R.M. Bergman, Director, City-County Planning Commission, to Vernon Krieser, Director of Parks and Recreation, dated March 9, 1966. A hand-written note on this memo says Council approved 4-19-66. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1966-1970.
29 Appraisal letter from Walter B. Neufeld and Lawrence R. Woldt to Green Bay Park Department dated July 20, 1966; letters to each of six property owners from Vernon Krieser asking whether they would sell at the appraised prices. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1966-1970.
30 Copy of letter from Vernon H. Krieser to John Kassner dated September 21, 1967. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1966-1970.
31 Exercise of option for each parcel, dated January 31, 1968, by Vernon Krieser, Park and Recreation Superintendent, pursuant to the action of the City of Green Bay Finance Committee on January 23, 1968. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1966-1970.
32 Map showing the complete park dated July 9, 1965; copy of record of Plan Commission action, dated July 20, 1965; copy of signed ordinance by the city council dedicating the property to park use, dated February 1, 1966. Park Dedication File envelope within PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1965. Duplicated in Colburn Park File envelope within PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park 1966-1970.
33 Copy of map, Proposed Development For Colburn Park, dated September 28, 1966. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park 1966-1970.
34 Bid summary for [sewer] extension to new building dated November 17, 1969; handwritten note, add $14,000 for road and parking to be included in bond issue on copy of report of Finance Committee, dated July 7, 1970. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park 1966-1970.
Copy of LAWCON application form, dated February 18, 1972; invoice letter from Chet Miller, Director of Parks and Recreation, to John A. Beale, Deputy Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, for the completed $11,686.98 project, dated December 13, 1972; receipt for $5,843.49 from the DNR, dated May 9, 1973. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park 1971 -.
35 Copy of AIA standard form agreement between City of Green Bay and Verne Conder, architect, dated July, 1981, and titled Alterations and Addition to Shelter Building; copy of Construction Data For Builder's Risk Insurance, dated December 9, 1982, indicating approximate completion date May 1, 1983. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park 1971 -.
36 Copy of memo from Howard Erickson, Chief of Police, to Deputy Chief Ken Van Lanen, dated February 16, 1988, and reporting the council decision of the previous day. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park 1971 -.
37 Partial copy of minutes, apparently of the city council, hand dated 3/9/88. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park 1971 -.
38 Missing. Bales, parking signs, and other efforts were observed by the author during this time but were not documented.
39 Copy of letter from Myra J. Knoener of 1267 Loch Drive, dated January 2, 2001. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park 1971 -.
40 Copy of Green Bay Police Department Case Report, dated February 2, 2002. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park 1971 -.
41 Handwritten letter, unsigned, dated August 9, 1989; copy of petition by around 300 soccer supporters with handwritten date of June 26, 1989; for Park Committee meeting of that date; copy of letter from Chet Miller to Ken Flaten, Athletic Director, Premontre High School, dated July 6, 1989, inquiring about use of Premontre's practice field for soccer programs; copy of a study of park use and parking issues, undated from 1989. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park 1971 -.
42 Copy of letter from Bill Landvatter, Director, Park, Recreation and Forestry Department, to Tom Wied [of the youth soccer organization], dated April 30, 2002. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park 1971 -.
43 Letter from Michael Beronja of 1014 Ernst Drive, undated. (The original text reads removal of the all soccer fields rather than all the.) PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park 1971 -.
44 Copy of letter from Tom Wied, President of Green Bay Kickers, to Green Bay Park and REcreation Department, dated March 10, 2004. Because of the numbers, the letter says that we are in need of the second soccer field at Colburn Park. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park 1971 -.
45 Plan and elevations for proposed pump station, undated; copy of minutes of Park Committee, dated September 14, 1993, approving the new pumphouse and a location along 9th St.; copy of letter from Dale Preston, Principal Planner, to Chet Miller, Director of Parks and Recreation, dated October 29, 1993, recommending the location be moved back farther from 9th St. (which was done). PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park 1971 -.
46 Missing.
47 Handwritten notes of Public Hearing on Swimming Pool dated November 3, 1965. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park thru 1965.
48 Missing.
49 Undated newspaper clipping from Green Bay Press-Gazette included in a handwritten note from Gail Ives to Bill [Landvatter] which is dated March 18, 2002. Ives' note is strongly supportive of the plan. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park 1971 -.
50 Copy of plan by Water Technologies, Inc., Colburn Park Aquatic Renovations, dated January 22, 2002. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park 1971 -.
51 Copy of document titled Objective Points on Why Amusement Aquatic Center Can Not be Located at Colburn Park, dated June 25, 2002. PRF file, Park Areas: Colburn Park 1971 -.
52 See also the history of Fisk Park.
Only annotated statements have been verified. Any other historical statements are unverified and based on personal knowledge or informal notes kept by the Green Bay Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department.
Last update: February, 2011
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