(WFRV) – The Oshkosh Common Council has voted to use the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to save the Menominee Park train for at least one more year.
The resolution comes weeks after it was announced that the train would no longer operate for the first time in 40 years.
The Common Council voted yes during a meeting at City Hall today, on the resolution to approve $50,000 in interest earnings from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to fund repairs to the amusement ride area at Menominee Park.
City staff had requested council approval for a budget amendment to the Parks Revenue Facilities Fund, as outlined in Resolution 25-45.
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The council still needs to establish a full operating budget for the train during a future meeting. Initially, city staff had not included funding for the train in their budget causing some community members to create a GoFundMe to save the train.
According to officials, the train was run privately in the 80s before the city took over operations in 2022. However, the city had issues with staffing the ride and had to modify operating hours in 2023. In 2024, the area was closed due to the reconstruction of Pratt Trail Road.
The train currently does not have a long-term funding course beyond this year.
