First Reformed Church unveils Prayer Park

A place to relax, reflect, commune with nature and enjoy good fellowship.

That’s what First Reformed Church’s newly opened Prayer Park offers the Sheboygan Falls community.

During a special dedication service held Sunday, Aug. 30, the park was officially opened to church members and the general public.

According to First Reformed Church Senior Pastor Brad Veenendaal, the project has been in the works for several years.

“The church had three lots across the street behind the main building that were not being used for anything,” Veenendaal said. “About seven or eight years ago, the church put together a five-year plan, which included the concept of a prayer park.

“The original idea was to do a prayer course, much like a par course, with separate prayer stations set up along a walking path,” he said.

Chuck Otte, Prayer Park Planning Committee member, said church officials had considered selling the lot, but instead decided to integrate the land with the spirit and goals of the church’s regular worship and educational programs.

“The common thought at the time about the property was we should either use it or lose it,” Otte said. “The church has owned the land since the 1950s, but it was basically dormant for over 50 years.

“It got to the point where people were wondering why we had it,” he said. “It had become an unkept dumping ground, filled with dying trees and ragged brush.”

Once a plan was in place, church members mobilized to turn the dream into a reality.

“For the most part, all of the work was donated by church members and various other volunteers,” Otte said. “We could have spent $10,000 to $15,000 to have someone do the work, but so many people came together to make this happen.”

A dedicated group of volunteers gathered each week for two years to clear and clean out the lots, take down and plant trees, plant flowers and install decorative landscaping.

“We have a group that has met every Wednesday for the past two years,” Veenendaal said. “The members of the group have been completely dedicated to the project. Without their drive and commitment, this project wouldn’t have been possible.”

Along with a winding walking path, flowers and rock landscaping, the park currently includes several benches, a contoured amphitheater and a small campfire area.

“We wanted to create a very peaceful environment, which would be appropriate for quiet reflection and prayer,” Veneendaal said. “We also wanted to provide a gathering place for church events and activities.

“The campfire area has already been used by several of our youth and young adult groups,” he said.

The amphitheater on the southeast side of the park will eventually feature a multi-purpose gazebo, capable of seating 150 people.

“The gazebo will serve as the centerpiece of the park,” Veneendaal said. “We plan it use it for concerts, weddings and worship services.

“Our goal is to have it finished next spring,” he said.

Although the park will be able to accommodate weddings, Veneendaal said all requests for use will be closely reviewed.

“The gazebo and amphitheater area will be open for weddings, but we don’t want to turn it into a wedding chapel,” he said. “All requests will go through our church office and will be carefully reviewed by the appropriate committees.

“Wedding requests would need to fit the spirit and intent of the park,” he said. “They should also meet the standards for all weddings that take place at the church, because the park is really an extension of the church.”

Since it is not a public park, it will operate slightly differently from a public park.

“We want people to know that the park is not just open to church members, but we invite the entire community to use it,” he said. “However, it is not a public park, so we are asking everyone that uses the park to do so with the spirit and goals of the church in mind.”

Otte said the outpouring of support for the project has been remarkable.

“There are so many people we need to thank for helping with this project,” he said. “Nearly everything you see in the park has been donated, including trees, plants and landscaping fill.

“There are several local businesses that have gone the extra mile to give us some nice deals on material and equipment.”

While the first stage of the project is nearly complete, the park continues to be a work in progress. “The planning committee is already talking about what to do next to make the park even better,” Otte said. “We have more trees to replace, electricity and lighting for the gazebo and signage yet to install.

“We are very happy about what we have been able to accomplish, but we also have our sights set on the future,” he said.

For more information on the First Reformed Church Prayer Park, contact the church office at 467-3251.