This small area at the southeast corner of East Mason
and South Baird Streets is at the site
formerly occupied by Biebel's Grocery Store
,
according to a newspaper story,
and the land was purchased by the city in 1972
for the Mason Street widening project
.
1
After the street had been rebuilt, there was sentiment
favoring selling off the remnant parcel
either for another business or for residential use,
but the widening project had made that infeasible.
At a Plan Commission meeting in 1976,
Mr. Paruleski said this site is well located
for business except that it's access is very poor.
He said its size is small,
and it would be a noisy location for residents
and if a business were to locate here,
they would probably be requesting medians [sic]
in the the median just constructed.
As an alternative, Mr. Preston explained
the open space proposal from the Park Department
which proposed 12 trees, lawn, etc., at a cost of $510.
In the end, the Commission approved retaining this
property as open space
.
2
The ACMEE 4-H club took on this open space as a project,
cleaning up the lot and providing basic landscaping.
3
In 1980, at the request of John Finco
of Acme [sic] 4-H Club
,
the Board of Public Works approved naming the parcel
the Arthur C. Keuhler [sic] Rest Area
.
(The phrase rest area
was used because
the property was not technically park land
but would remain as City right-of-way
.)
4
Art Keuler had been active with the [4-H] Club
and other youth and conservation programs.
He was Assistant Principal at Washington Junior High
before his death in 1974.
5
In 1981, responding to complaints regarding
the upkeep of the property
,
the Board of Public Works approved a suggestion
to transfer responsibility for the property
on the S.E. corner of E. Mason & Baird Street
to the Park Department
.
6
However, this change didn't take place until 1984
7
after which the Park Committee formalized the name
as Arthur C. Keuler Place
8
and the department provided appropriate signage.
9
Week honors 4-H clubs, Green Bay News-Chronicle, Thursday, October 11, 1979, page A-4; see also minutes of Park Committee, August 14, 1984. PRF file
Park Areas: Keuler Place.
Park Areas: Keuler Place.
Acmee4-H Club in January, 1979. PRF file
Park Areas: Keuler Place.
Park Areas: Keuler Place.
Koehleras it was spelled in the Park Committee minutes for July 11, 1984.)
Park Areas: Keuler Place.
Park Areas: Keuler Place.
that the city property on the southeast corner of East Mason and Barid Street be a city park; handwritten notes on Theisen's letter saying,
Approved by Committee 7-11-84and
Approved by Council 7-18-84; copy of minutes of Park Committee for July 11, 1984. PRF file
Park Areas: Keuler Place.
Mr. Miller; PRF file
Park Areas: Keuler Place.
On behalf of my sons + myself, I would like to thank you and whoever else is responsible for remembering Art in the naming of the Arthur C. Keuler Place. We all feel very proud because of this dedication.
A.C.M.E.E. 4-H Clubin establishing the park. PRF file
Park Areas: Keuler Place. Undated sketch for layout of a sign with background of 4-leaf clover in silver and black letters reading
Planned and Developed by the A.C.M.E.E. 4-H Club. PRF file
Arthur C. Keuler Place.