NEENAH (NBC 26) — Arrowhead Park has been a fixture along Neenah’s waterfront for decades, evolving from an industrial site into a growing public destination.
Neenah leaders say the future of Arrowhead Park depends on DNR approvals, funding and the city's next mayor.
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Neenah's Arrowhead Park has sat on the shores of Lake Winnebago for more than 70 years, but city leaders say the site's transformation into a waterfront destination is still years away — and the path forward runs through state regulators, city budgets and an upcoming election.
Built on a former landfill and wastewater site, the park carries an industrial past that complicates every step of its redevelopment. Because the land was filled with paper sludge from a former mill, any progress requires approval from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to protect the shoreline and surrounding environment.
"Right now the city is working on submitting multiple approvals through the Wisconsin Department of Resources," Kelly Nieforth, Director of Community Development, said.
In 2024, the city approved a master plan to turn the park into a lakefront destination, featuring trail connections, waterfront access and potential amenities such as an amphitheater. But city leaders are careful to frame the plan as a vision, not a guarantee.
"That's the thing, when you create a plan, it's just that. Its a concept plan. But it's meant to inspire the community. What can we do? How can we make this a better place?" Mayor Jane Lang said.
More than $3 million has already been put toward funding the project, though the city has not borrowed money for it since 2022. Parks and Recreation Director Michael Kading said the city will continue pursuing outside sources to keep the project moving.
"As we look at dollars and cents, it take dollars. Any construction project takes a lot of dollars, but we'll continue to look for alternate funding through private funds or grant funding," Kading said.
For now, city leaders are focused on completing the permitting and paperwork needed to make the site construction-ready. That work is expected to carry through 2026, with construction potentially beginning in 2027.
The project will also be shaped by whoever wins April's mayoral election. Lang, who is not running for reelection, said the work ahead will require a committed leader.
"It's been a very daunting task. I think that the next mayor's challenge will be to continue that momentum, working with the DNR, establishing relationships with them and helping them to see what this — a great opportunity for this community," Lang said.
