City of Neighborhoods: Wilder Park

GREEN BAY – Becoming president of Green Bay’s largest neighborhood wasn’t what Jason Holtermann was expecting heading into last November’s elective meeting.

Holtermann had become a fan of the events that Wilder Park’s Neighborhood Association (NA) hosted for its residents, and once he learned that an impactful number of board members would be stepping down, he said that he “just wanted to see those programs continue.”

Holtermann also had plenty of time to observe his home’s NA as a 10-year resident himself.

Wilder Park’s annual Movie in the Park was one of the first events that came to mind when considering what Holtermann wished to preserve with the NA, as well as their end of summer bash.

This year’s Wilder Park end of summer bash will be held on Aug. 16.

These events don’t come without costs, such as the $3-400 movie rights and the ice cream vendors that attend their late summer party, which is why Green Bay Neighborhoods (GBN) makes sure to step up and aid their neighborhoods in need of funding with their annual mini grants.

“It just helps us do whatever we need to do,” Holtermann said about the grants.

And while on the topic of expressing gratitude, Holtermann also made sure to give thanks to the Wilder Park NA board members, as well as neighborhood resident Cathy Landry.

“She’s been a member for decades…She’s really been one of them to keep it going. She’s the one that got me into it,” Holtermann said about Landry.

Holtermann is also thankful to the NA itself, as it creates opportunities for residents of the neighborhood to connect in person.

“Basically, in this time of social media, there’s such a disconnect between people, and we’re trying to bring it back to a time where you could just say hello to your neighbor,” he said.

“Our goal is to get the neighbors together. That’s one of our biggest driving forces–is to get people off of their phones and create that face to face contact with their neighbors.”

What’s next

In upcoming months, Wilder Park is looking forward to getting their neighborhood newsletter up and running.

Holtermann also said that he is “working really hard” to launch a dog social within Wilder Park.

“That one’s kind of complicated, because dogs are technically only allowed to walk through a park–they’re not allowed to stay in a park. So I have to work on getting special permits for that,” he explained.

Still, Holtermann said he is “making headway.”

Finally, Holtermann is also working with his board to plan an adult-focused winter social.

“We’re thinking of getting people together for appetizers and drinks, just to get to know your neighbors,” said Holtermann.

To learn more or become involved with this NA, head to “Wilder Park Neighborhood Association” on Facebook.

For additional information regarding Green Bay Neighborhoods, visit gbneighborhoods.org.

The Pass it Forward™ internship program is sponsored by the Packers Give Back and Nicolet National Bank.