On Tuesday, Mayor Pat Liston officially dedicated Baraboo Kiwanis Riverwalk Park, a one-acre strip of land between Water Street and the Baraboo River behind Napa Auto Parts. Liston praised Kiwanis for adopting the Riverwalk project in 1995 and providing "financial, physical and vocal support."

The Riverwalk is a paved walkway along the river established by the city, the state Department of Natural Resources and Kiwanis. Riverwalk Park is different from others in the city that feature athletic fields and playground equipment. Its hallmarks are the Riverwalk, a new rain garden and a gazebo donated by Tom and Sue Holmes. The rain garden was planted Saturday by volunteers, with half of the 600 plants donated by a local company, EC3-Environmental Consulting Group. Liston thanked Kiwanis for making the Riverwalk "a place of contemplative beauty."

"It’s a pretty special partnership we have with the Kiwanians," said Greg Wise, president of the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Kiwanian Bob Dewel chronicled the history of the club’s involvement in the project. He noted that the club held annual fundraisers — from a rose sale to an auction to a pancake breakfast — to put aside the $80,000 it has spent on and committed to the Riverwalk. "That’s flipping an awful lot of pancakes, folks," Dewel said.

Dewel and Kiwanis President Brandon Wegner praised the DNR and city for their support of the Riverwalk, particularly Parks and Recreation Director Tim O’Keefe. "Tim is great to work with," Wegner said. "He’s a class act."

Dewel noted that the Riverwalk will cover 2 miles through the city once completed. Next up is paving a section of the walkway between Broadway and Mary Rountree Evans parks. "We know we’re not done," Dewel said.

Liston expressed hope the city and Kiwanis will continue their partnership. "May your visions and our visions walk the same path to keep our community a place of remarkable beauty through hard work and determination," he said.