Neenah's Phantom Park
Arrowhead Park has been called 'Neenah's Phantom Park' because the original blueprints were never created. Developments continued and include the recently built waterfront trail connecting Herb and Dolly Smith Park and Gateway Plaza. This is now part of Neenah-Menasha's 'Loop the Lake' Project.
In 2021, Arrowhead Park is again scheduled for development. The project is currently in phase 1A, hoping to turn this area into a recreational gem. The current phase includes shoreline restoration, development of a prairie with stone pats, construction of a gravel park drive and trail, and pier on the lake.
In 2021, Arrowhead Park is again scheduled for development. The project is currently in phase 1A, hoping to turn this area into a recreational gem. The current phase includes shoreline restoration, development of a prairie with stone pats, construction of a gravel park drive and trail, and pier on the lake.
Historic UseThe land was originally used as a waste dump site for Bergstrom Paper Company. The city of Neenah formed an agreement in which they allowed the Bergstrom Paper Company to create a waste water treatment plant on the area and dump their waste in the designated section of Little Lake Butte des Morts. The agreement stated that once the area was filled and the land was stabilized, the city would build a public park on the newly formed land. After the dumping site was filled, however, the land was deemed unsafe because of toxic polychlorinated biphenyl deposits. The park was never built, hence the nickname 'Neenah's Phantom Park.'
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Property TypeThe land is a city owned public recreational area with waterfront trails and marshy green space.
This area of land is part of Neenah-Menasha's Loop the Lake project. |
ArchitectsShattuck, Siewert, and Associates designed the original blueprints for Arrowhead Park in 1973. Their blueprints for the park were never created.
Further plans are still in development. |
Works Cited
Behnke, Duke. "Neenah, Menasha Seek Twin Trestles for Trail Loop." Post-Crescent Media. N.p., n.d. Web.
Dunwiddie, William E. The Parks of Neenah: An Historical Interpretation. Place of Publication Not Identified: W.E. Dunwiddie, 1993. Print.
"Future Neenah." Future Neenah. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 May 2016.
"Neenah Strikes Deal to Raze Former Minergy Plant." Post-Crescent Media. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 May 2016.
"Parks & Recreation." City of Neenah. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 May 2016.
"The State: The Parks of Neenah: An Historical Interpretation: Neenah's Phantom Park." The State: The Parks of Neenah: An Historical Interpretation: Neenah's Phantom Park. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 May 2016.
"Untitled." Untitled. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 May 2016.
"Videos." City of Neenah Arrowhead Park. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 May 2016.
"Neenah cuts trees at Arrowhead Park to stablize landfill", News-Record, 27 Jan 2021 pg.1 and 3
Dunwiddie, William E. The Parks of Neenah: An Historical Interpretation. Place of Publication Not Identified: W.E. Dunwiddie, 1993. Print.
"Future Neenah." Future Neenah. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 May 2016.
"Neenah Strikes Deal to Raze Former Minergy Plant." Post-Crescent Media. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 May 2016.
"Parks & Recreation." City of Neenah. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 May 2016.
"The State: The Parks of Neenah: An Historical Interpretation: Neenah's Phantom Park." The State: The Parks of Neenah: An Historical Interpretation: Neenah's Phantom Park. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 May 2016.
"Untitled." Untitled. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 May 2016.
"Videos." City of Neenah Arrowhead Park. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 May 2016.
"Neenah cuts trees at Arrowhead Park to stablize landfill", News-Record, 27 Jan 2021 pg.1 and 3