Posted: June 10, 2009

Dancers hit the floor in the Muellner Building, kilt-clad men tossed cabers across a grassy field and tables filled with Scottish souvenirs and shortbread dotted the Hart Park grounds Saturday.

Scottish Fest: The Milwaukee Highland Games, and the hundreds of people it drew, proved the park is spacious enough to host a large event.

From the get-go, supporters of the $4.2 million Hart Park improvement plan predicted event organizers would be able to pay ongoing maintenance costs in part with income from park facility rentals. It bodes well that the park is already attracting groups, even though much of the construction has not been completed, city officials say.

"We're not really finding a problem marketing the park," Park and Forestry Superintendent Ken Walbrant said. "I'm confident there will be plenty of demand for its use."

Bringing people in

It was Hart Park's expansive green space, numerous parking spots and proximity to major roads that led Scottish Fest organizers to look to Wauwatosa when they decided to move the event from Glendale's Old Heidelberg Park, said Dave Berger, Scottish Fest board member and Wauwatosa resident. The new locale boosted attendance, he said.

The Milwaukee Brewers have picked Hart Park as one of three block party sites in the metro area where fans can interact with players and team personnel. Activities will be stationed near the newly constructed Rotary Park Performance Pavilion.

"A friend of mine attended one in Whitefish Bay last year and said there were about 1,000 to 1,500 people in attendance," said Rick Bauer, executive director for Tosa Tonight, which manages the pavilion. "That's great exposure for us. I have a feeling it will help promote the stage."

Early interest may also indicate that the project's price tag was worth the investment because it will help bring the community together for events, provide recreation facilities for residents, attract foot traffic to the Village, and serve as a showpiece to people who visit Wauwatosa for a football game or concert.

Some city officials have questioned whether Wauwatosa should be taking on a project of this magnitude in the current economic climate, especially when a land sale deal that was going to provide some of the funding fell through and resulted in the city borrowing more money.

The $4.2 million will pay for reconstructing the football stadiums, tennis courts and running track. The city will go out to bid later this year for landscaping and utility improvements at the pavilion. Future plans call for adding amenities like a playground and picnic pavilion, funding for which could be raised through park facility rentals.

"The real key is getting the facilities constructed. That's been our focus," Public Works Director William Kappel said.

Work yet to come

Most of the old athletic facilities have been demolished and water main excavation work is getting under way this week, he said.

When the stadium is complete, it will be used for football, soccer, lacrosse and field hockey, and the artificial turf will hold up to many teams practicing and playing there, Walbrant said.

Potentially, the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletics Association could hold high school competitions at the park, said Linda Vitrano, Wauwatosa East High School athletic director. "The architect consulted with coaches to make sure the facilities meet the standards," she said.

The city has decided not to contract for marketing services. Instead, promotions and bookings will be handled in-house. Parks Board Chairman Tom Ertel has been speaking with various groups - from the Tosa Kickers to Divine Savior Holy Angels High School - about renting park facilities.

Tosa Tonight will lay low this year when it comes to renting the pavilion, Bauer said.

"We're waiting until the grading is complete for the seating," he said. "Then in 2010, when we're fully functional, I'll be pushing the availability whenever possible."

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Milwaukee Brewers will throw a block party with free food, player appearances and visits with Bernie Brewer and the Racing Sausages.

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 15

WHERE: Hart Park, 7300 Chestnut St.

INFORMATION: Specific player appearances will be announced the week of the event at Brewers.com/blockparty.