Imagination Station reopens after mouse sighting

Aug 08, 2023

OCONOMOWOC — Five days after Oconomowoc decided to close Imagination Station Playground upon a report of a mouse and a burrow on the large playground, it was reopened, but not without criticism from the public.

The city posted on Facebook on Monday that an exterminator will work to remove the mouse and a thorough review for burrows will be completed. The playground was then fenced off with a sign that read "closed until further notice for maintenance."

In the hours and days after the initial posting, city residents criticized the decision to close the playground.

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Owen Arndt, 6, has to jump from one step to another as he plays a game of tag with his dad, Erik, at Oconomowoc’s Imagination Station.

"It made our city look foolish," wrote Nathan Schacht on Facebook. Similar comments were "what a joke" and "absolutely ridiculous." Some people commented sarcastically, like Bill Ritchie who said, "Imagine that ... a mouse in the great outdoors living its best life. How dare it do that!"

Michelle Mueller provides the energy source for her daughter, Catherine, 5, as she enjoys a spinning ride at Oconomowoc’s Imagination Station on Friday afternoon.

Others came to the city’s defense, such as Ian Pilak. "Good job taking care of a wonderful feature of the Oconomowoc community," he said.

Evelynn Drew, 7, takes the curving arch that leads to a variety of fun activities at the Imagination Station playground.

Erin Sondrol also agreed with the city’s approach. "Totally agree with how the city handled it. That park is unique and any damage done by rodents could cost taxpayers plenty."

Riley Rogo, 6, begins her decent after reaching the top of the rope tower at the playground of Imagination Station.

And making sure it was safe to reopen was important to the city.

City Administrator Mark Frye said the exterminator was contacted to determine if rodents had been tunneling under the surface.

Emma Faas and her brother Teddy team up on one of the slides offered at the Imagination Station playground at Roosevelt Park.

"Our concern was the integrity of the rubberized surface of the playground so action was taken to avoid possible damage from burrowing," Frye said in an email.

During the week, traps were set in several locations and from Monday to Thursday, one mouse was trapped. Three burrow holes were plugged on Thursday, after which the playground and equipment were cleaned.

Some residents felt the city could have handled communication about the incident in a better manner, including Fourth District Alderwoman Jennifer Aultman Kloth, commenting that the original Facebook post was vague and caused a significant reaction on Facebook.

She went on to say, “It was never just about a mouse. It was making sure the flooring of a very popular park was not damaged. And had the city ignored the problem and had to have replaced that flooring, we would be having a conversation about angry taxpayers instead.”

If there was a concern for safety, Becky Wendt wished that would have been communicated.

“This was handled extremely poorly,” Wendt said. “If there was a legitimate concern/ issue that needed to be addressed, there should’ve been an announcement that the area would be closed off for maintenance and that would’ve quelled ALL of the social media response.”

Located within Roosevelt Park, 100 E. Forest St., Imagination Station abuts a woodsy area, which the city acknowledged in its original Facebook post that, along with food left on the playground, could attract mice.

Michelle Mueller provides the energy source for her daughter, Catherine, 5, as she enjoys a spinning ride at Oconomowoc’s Imagination Station on Friday afternoon.

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