Fredrickson Park Enhancement Project

  The Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce raised funds to pay for construction of a sign displaying carvings from limbs salvaged from our community Christmas tree.  After serving the community for 88 years, the tree was ordered cut down in 2016 to accommodate highway improvements at the railroad crossing. Residents and former residents fought to keep the tree without success. In order to honor our ancestors that worked so hard to provide this tree for our enjoyment for so many years, carvings were built into a welcome sign for our community. The Scandinavian themed "Velkommen til Whitehall" created part of a substantially constructed sign that will protect the carvings from the weather for years to come. The carvings preserve what could be salvaged from the tree so it continues to live on in our hearts. It is located in Whitehall's Fredrickson Park for all to enjoy.

On the south side of the sign, a mural depicting the story of the community Christmas tree was painted by Whitehall artists Kevin Miles and Wendy Schaefer-Miles. A lighted sign made by Indee Metal Works was added above the mural on the south side to illuminate the beautiful mural. Two benches have been donated by the Louise Sonsalla and Bernard Johnson families.

The larger plan for Fredrickson Park includes a sidewalk connecting to the Claire Street senior housing complex and around the park to provide a safe place for residents to get out and walk! The cost has been estimated at $80,000 to complete the walkway. As funds are available, picnic tables, a small shelter and exercise stations could be added. 

If you have questions about the project, please message us on the Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page or email us at [email redacted]p.    Donations can be made on this GoFundMe link and there are no fees charged except for the typical small credit card processing fee. Donations can also be made at Royal Credit Union in Whitehall or mailed to the City of Whitehall, P O Box 155, Whitehall, WI 54773. Please consider helping!