Land donation will expand Halverson Park

By Sarah Nigbor
Posted 3/9/23

TOWN OF RIVER FALLS – A town of River Falls resident followed in his dad’s footsteps, donating a piece of property to the Town of River Falls to expand an existing park. Kim Halverson …

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Land donation will expand Halverson Park

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TOWN OF RIVER FALLS – A town of River Falls resident followed in his dad’s footsteps, donating a piece of property to the Town of River Falls to expand an existing park.
Kim Halverson donated a 5.27-acre parcel to the township in December, with the stipulation that it be used to expand existing Halverson Park along Highway 65 and 830th Avenue near Cemstone. The parcel sits immediately south of the park, home to wetlands and Chub Creek.
“The Town of River Falls welcomes the donation of the parkland from the Halverson trust by Kim Halverson,” said Town Supervisor Siri Smith. “This additional acreage is adjacent to the Halverson Park that was donated by Kim’s parents and uncle and aunt a number of years ago. The town has a variety of parks that are maintained by our dedicated Parks Committee and volunteers from the community.”
Halverson Park is currently 5.24 acres containing woodlands, wetlands and wildlife; a spring-fed creek, named Chub Creek, and chipped trails and bridges throughout. The creek divides the land into two distinct areas: An upper woodland containing full grown oak trees and a lower grassy wetland with many wildflowers.
Halverson said his dad, Adolph Jr. (known as “80”) made up his mind in the late 1990s/early 2000s that he was going to donate a parcel to the township for a park.
“I asked him ‘Why don’t you sell it and put some change in your pocket?’” Halverson said. “He said, ‘I made up my mind and that’s what I’m going to do.’”
As the manager of the trust, Halverson had to sign off on it and dared not dispute his father, who was adamant it be donated. The acreage was part of a larger 35-acre parcel that is now home to Kwik Trip and apartments.
“Dad bought all that property in the late 60s,” Halverson said. “At the time he was active military with the vision of investment-wise, someday down the road. Shortly after he acquired that property, he built the Lamplight Supper Club. The first real supper club in the area. I can remember coming back as a kid and we’d check up on that, and a farm that was in that vicinity. His father and mother lived right in that area.”
Halverson’s dad, “80,” was stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base, where the family lived for many years. When they returned to River Falls, 80 was active in the Masonic Lodge. Halverson followed in his footsteps and has been part of the organization for 27 years.
“It’s a closed fraternity of men whose primary goal and purpose is to enrich and enhance their fellow man,” Halverson said. “Primarily the Masonic philosophy is to share with the community.”
When Halverson himself retired from the Minnesota Department of Corrections, he moved back to the family farm (off 770th Avenue) that had been sitting vacant for five years. He wondered what to do with 110 acres, but soon decided to restore the homestead to its former glory.
“It’s turning into a wonderful place,” Halverson said. “It tickles your heart when people slow down and rubber neck and give the thumbs up. We must be doing something right, and things are looking mighty fine.”
While going through tax documents, Halverson came upon the information for the 5.27 acres that sits off 830th Avenue/Cemetery Road at the entrance to Cemstone. He said he approached Mike and Bob Moody, who own 300 acres east of it, about purchasing it because they have visions of developing their property. He admitted frankly that he was offended by their lowball offer of $4,500 when the tax-assessed value was north of $30,000.
“That money would have been nice, whatever the dollar amount,” Halverson said. “But I talked to my brother in Hawaii and told him I would be OK with just donating the rest of that property to the town to expand the rest of the park. I live a comfortable life.”
His brother agreed and Halverson chose to go the route of his dad. His dad knew a high school would be built in the area and wanted kids to have access to the land for science field trips, which they do. Chub Creek, a tributary of the South Fork of the Kinnickinnic, contains trout.
“The wetlands are a filtration system for runoff and rainwater,” Halverson said. “Instead of having development around that area, we thought it would be best preserved and enjoyed by the public. We’re not targeting anyone. It’s open to anyone to come enjoy the trails.”
The original parcel was given to the town with the stipulation that it remain in its natural state, to ensure the longevity of the land.
“The Masons and the Lions Club, they devote quite a bit of time and energy to improving and updating that park with trails, benches and bridges,” Halverson said. “I’ve been back there a number of times walking through and I saw something hanging in the tree, and it was a geocache. It’s cool to sit back and think that some kid or students was inspired by a field trip out to that and continued their studies in biology or chemistry or whatever. You just never know.”
Halverson said he’s not looking for “a silver star” or kudos. He just likes knowing people will enjoy it in its natural state.
“It’s giving benefit to many people for many years to come,” he said. “I feel blessed to have the opportunity to have done this and knowing I did the right thing.”

Halverson Park, Town of River Falls, land donation, River Falls, Wisconsin