By Kris Leonhardt

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The Parks & Recreation Committee recently extended the deadline for public input on renaming the Wisconsin Rapids Recreation Complex.

Naming suggestions should encompass the entire park at 681 Chestnut Street in Wisconsin Rapids, including the aquatics center, skate park, playground equipment, splash pad, outdoor shelter, tennis court, and pickleball courts.

The city was originally accepting suggestions June 1-30, but extended it to July 15 after only receiving a few submissions.

Naming suggestions should be directed to the Wisconsin Rapids Park & Recreation office at City Hall, 444 W. Grand Ave., Wisconsin Rapids, 54495, or the WRRC Aquatics Center.

“Those submitting a park name are asked to share their name and contact information, so that they may be recognized if their suggestion is selected. They are not required to identify themselves, however. Park names should have some relevance to our community,” a city post stated.

“In August, the community will be asked to vote on the park’s name from a short list of options, including community suggestions, staff suggestions and a Mayor’s Youth Council suggestion.

In September, the City will unveil the new name for the park.”

“Ultimately, if there is no interest, then branding will continue on with the current existing name or the full name and there won’t be any branding,” Mayor Shane Blaser said during a June 28 Park & Recreation meeting.