This is a nice little unique park that Hartland has at the heart of its downtown center, and every resident can find something to do here that will allow them to have both relaxing summer evenings or chilly but fun winter nights.
The layout is simple--there's a stage and pavilion for bands, movie nights, performances, etc., a baseball diamond, some large open fields/areas, a space for a beer garden during the warmer months, and a playground and picnic pavilion. An ice rink is also installed during the winter months, so if you have your own ice skates or want to pay a few bucks to rent a pair, head down here for some fun night-skating under the bright lights.
I've personally spent time at the beer garden in the summer, which is run by Pat Endter, the owner of nearby Endter's Sports Grill, and it's a great little treat to have for the area--the staff is always super nice, the beer is always ice cold, and the selection is great throughout the different months it's open. There are more than enough umbrella-covered picnic tables to accommodate a large crowd, and the fact that we can bring our dog with us to have a beer outside is awesome.
The pavilion/stage is also a unique draw for the park--I've seen movies, comedy shows, and bands perform on the stage there, and the events are always free for the public. There have also been instances of major sports games shown on the inflatable projector screen the Village of Hartland owns and uses at the park, and this allows for a cool sort of community camaraderie when the weather is warm enough to allow for such activities, especially with the food and beer from the beer garden.
Probably the coolest part of the park though is the mere fact that it's on the Ice Age Trail, one of Wisconsin's big claims-to-fame. For those who don't know, the Ice Age Trail is one of eleven National Scenic Trails, and it runs solely through the state of Wisconsin, meaning it's locally maintained and managed for the most part. There are only a few municipalities throughout the state of Wisconsin who can say that the Ice Age Trail runs through the heart of their communities, and the fact that this park features a segment of the IAT itself is pretty cool and a fact to brag about to neighboring communities. read more