The Village of Barneveld, Wisconsin, has been able to honor a pivotal moment in its history through the thoughtful redevelopment of Memorial Park. Originally dedicated in 1986, the park commemorates the significant loss and destruction left behind by a devastating F5 tornado that struck the community in 1984. In recent years, the Village — working in close partnership with MSA — began a transformative journey to revitalize the park space.  

With the Village’s initiative, MSA began the re-visioning process by completing a comprehensive master plan in 2020–2021. This plan identified key community priorities through engagement. A Village-wide survey helped identify key priorities, including upgrades to the park shelter, the creation of accessible play areas, and the addition of a splash pad. From 2022 to 2023, MSA assisted with securing grant funding — leveraging Barneveld’s compelling story and the park’s location along the Military Ridge State Trail — while the community came together to raise additional funds, demonstrating a shared commitment to bringing the vision to life.  

Construction of Memorial Park improvements began in 2024 and was completed in June of 2025. The Village was able to host a rededication ceremony on June 8, 2025, marking the 41st anniversary of the community-changing event. The “Re-Grand Opening” served as both a celebration of Barneveld’s resilience and a showcase of the park’s new amenities. 

The revitalized Memorial Park now features a 1,900-square-foot restroom and three-season shelter, designed to serve both park and trail users. The shelter includes garage-style doors that open fully to accommodate large events and provide views of a versatile green space. Additional enhancements include a 4,800-square-foot inclusive playground, 1,600-square-foot splash pad, multi-sport court with basketball and two pickleball courts, new memorial plaza incorporating the original park’s recovered plaque, upgraded parking facilities including off-street parking along an auxiliary road, and stormwater treatment basins to support sustainable site management. 

Through this redevelopment, Memorial Park has become a vibrant, inclusive, and meaningful space — honoring the past while serving the evolving needs of future generations.