Volunteer-based nonprofit helps realize Ellsworth’s big dreams

ELLSWORTH – You might have seen the name Ellsworth E3 Community Development Corporation and wondered what it is. If you’re not familiar with it and you live in or around Ellsworth, it’s time to acquaint yourself with this community-minded organization.

E3 represents the organization’s goal to “Envision, Em-

See E3, Page 8

Carrie Vannet was recently hired as the E3 Event Coordinator, thanks to a grant. She hopes to help people network and utilize the community space at the E-Town Collaborative, located at 259 N. Broadway St. Photo courtesy of E3 E3

From Page 1

power and Engage” the Ellsworth community, to inspire residents to make it a better place. The group’s mission is to improve residents’ quality of life by generating, managing and allocating resources to meet the current and future needs of Ellsworth.

The nonprofit, an official 501 (c)(3), is a volunteer- based organization that grew from the 2018 Design Ellsworth initiative. In October 2018, members of Design Wisconsin, a research- based team of planning and design professionals, volunteered to help Ellsworth community members and businesses map out their future. Once everyone’s great ideas and visions were down on paper (or screen), the community needed a way to make those dreams a reality. E3 was born.

The organization is hosting a “Get to Know E3” event 5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, April 25 at E-Town Collaborative (259 N. Broadway St., Ellsworth). Meet members of E3’s various committees and learn about their missions and projects, while connecting and networking with other volunteer-minded individuals who want to make Ellsworth a vibrant place.

“Volunteerism is still readily out there and needed,” said E3 member Kayleen Jakes.

E3 acts as an umbrella and guiding force over its various committees. Its goal is to connect people with resources, whether that’s manpower, nonprofit access, funding avenues or research assistance on how to make ideas a reality. E3 doesn’t take projects on to complete itself, but rather helps groups and individuals find ways to make things happen.

“They come with a vision and we can help you with funding, volunteers,” Jakes said.

“We try to pair other organizations with volunteers in order to empower Ellsworth,” echoed E3 Summer Fun Series Coordinator Elise Gregory.

“When you start with one idea, maybe you’ll find another idea or another direction,” said E3 member Raynee Farrell.

And with hard work, maybe each committee will eventually “be kicked out of the nest” and become a standalone, nonprofit organization itself, said E3 member Anne Pechacek.

The committees that have formed all come from things residents said they wanted during the Design Ellsworth initiative, Jakes said.

E-Town Collaborative The space at 259 N. Broadway St. has been transformed into a community-centered gathering area where people can host events, such as workshops, craft classes, baby showers, parties, work conferences, fundraisers, committee meetings, etc. The multi-use space has internet access, tables and seating for 32 (standing room 50).

Newly hired E3 Event Coordinator Carrie Vannet loves networking, and wants to provide a space for others to do the same. Space rental fees will provide a funding source to E3. Rates, which are really a “strongly suggested donation,” will vary per event. For details and schedule availability, contact Vannet at [email protected] “We want to give these creators and collaborators a space to hose these classes and events,” said Jakes.

The space rental also includes the parklet next door to the building.

“I’m very excited for all the possibilities of what the space can be used for,” Vannet said. “We’re an umbrella to get all the little pods together.”

Learn more at “Ellsworth E3 Community Development Corporation” on Facebook.

Ellsworth Trails

The Ellsworth Trails Committee’s goal is to create safe, multipurpose trails throughout the community to inspire outdoor recreation and improve connectivity.

When the group first started meeting, they had a big picture vision of constructing a bike path between Ellsworth and River Falls, Pechacek said. While that could certainly be a possibility someday, the group narrowed its focus and started with Cairns Woods.

Cairns Woods, located off North Cairns Street and Highway 65, is a 34-are parcel boasting wildflowers and hardwood forest, including basswood, red oak, elm and hard maple trees. Gertrude Cairns originally sold the parcel to the Village of Ellsworth for a reduced price in 1949, with the stipulation that the land be used as an education demonstration forest in tribute to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Cairns. In 1949, more than 500 attendees were present for its dedication. Over time, the woods were forgotten and the trails became overgrown. Sign markers rotted and fell down, and the forest took over once again.

In 2020, the Ellsworth Trails Committee began working to restore the area. With help from GPS mapping, dedicated committee members, high school students, Boy Scouts and other community volunteers cleared a series of trails throughout the entire property. They added trail markers, benches and a kiosk. A grand opening celebration marked the rebirth of Cairns Woods and the first successful Ellsworth Trails project on Oct. 7, 2021.

The committee, which meets the third Wednesday of the month, is trying to figure out what’s next. You can follow them on Facebook at “Ellsworth Trails.”

Empower Ellsworth

The Ellsworth E3 recently took grant applications for student service projects and on Tuesday, March 29, awarded a total of $5,000 to various Ellsworth Community School District student groups.

The grants offer students an opportunity to make a difference in the community.

After receiving several applications, E3 divided and awarded the grant money to seven different student groups. When applying students were able to request amounts between $100– $1,000 for their service projects.

The projects must be completed along with a short summary of their projects by May 14, 2023. The grant application will open again next year for similar projects to be done by students in the Ellsworth area. Pechacek said they will consider opening an adult category, funding permitting.

“We had $5,000 to work with and that is about what we received in grant applications,” Pechacek said.

Grants went to the following projects/students: •Tennis players Betsy Foster, Lander Levers and Josie Pechacek received $500 for supplies and other necessities to coordinate a summer tennis camp.

•Stephanie Jennings, Abigail Michels and Gabby McChane, $500 for Movies in the Park at the EMS football field.

•A Ukrainian-themed dinner on May 7 planned by students Audrey Farrell, RaeAnna Smith, Payton Rohl, Joy Turvaville, Lexie Shelley, Maggie Berns, Tyler Boley, Anthony Madsen, Denys and Ryan Casper. The project is called Ukraine Food for Effect and they hope to make donations to the Red Cross. They received $1,000.

•EHS freshman Sam Hines, who is a 4-H and FFA member, received $750 toward a bigger project to improve the drainage and facilities where livestock exhibitors wash and tend their animals at the Pierce County Fairgrounds. The

See E3, Page 9

The Ellsworth Arts Committee spruced up gray, drab planters in Ellsworth’s East End last summer, using bright, geometric designs. The project carried into the Midtown area, and will soon debut in the West End. Photos courtesy of Kayleen Jakes

The Ellsworth Trails Committee spent hundreds of manpower hours clearing and building trails through Cairns Woods, a 34-acre parcel off Highway 65. Photo courtesy of Ellsworth Trails E3

From Page 8

total project will cost about $6,000 and be undertaken by various groups.

•EHS basketball player Morgan Halverson received $500 to be used to coordinate a basketball camp.

•EHS senior Dawson Peters has $500 to help coordinate and design an interactive mural and mural walk located in the East End. The grant will allow for a group to put together the mural over the summer.

•A group of elementary students will put their $1,000 toward a skate rental program at the warming house.

Summer Fun Series

The Summer Fun Series will return this year June 9 through Sept. 1 on Thursdays in East End Park. Expect food trucks, the farmers market, musicians, family-friendly activities and business and nonprofit booths every Thursday 5-7 p.m.

At least two food trucks will be scheduled each Thursday, providing delights from local vendors.

Businesses or organizations interested in participating or sponsoring should contact [email protected]

Dog Park

The Ellsworth Dog Park Committee recently received a $15,000 grant from Purina to use toward a dog park. While a site has not yet been finalized, plans are in the works and a possible location has been identified.

In a recent interview, committee member Karissa Dougherty said the group is hoping to secure a few acres for a fully loaded and fully functional dog park with agility equipment, water fountains, shade for the dog owners, areas for them to sit and engage with other dog owners, parking, and pooper-scoopers on site.

The group estimates it will need about $100,000 to make the dog park a reality.

“I know that sounds like a lot of money, but to build a sufficient, functional and safe environment for dogs and their owners, it will be worth every penny,” Dougherty said. “We don’t want just a fenced-in area. We want dogs and their people to enjoy coming to the dog park, and to do that, we need to provide not only physical but mental stimulation for the dogs too. Providing these different amenities will not be cheap, and the park will not be cheaply made.

The group meets once a month on varying days. To learn more, join “Ellsworth Dog Park” on Facebook or email [email protected]

Arts Committee

The Ellsworth Arts Committee recently received village board approval to carry its planter project to the Uptown/West End Business District. So far, the group has revitalized the planters in the East End and Midtown business districts. The next step is cleaning, priming and painting the planters in the West End. The hope is good weather will prevail and those projects can be completed in the next couple of months.

Businesses near the planters were kept in mind when area youth designed the new looks. EHS capstone project students and area 4-H clubs will help complete the project.

Another big idea in the works ins an interactive mural walk across seven East End buildings (Brush Strokes/Country Fit, Comfort by Design, Pierce County Meats garage, the old market next to the parklet, to name a few). A Trimbelle muralist will guide area youth in creating the mural, which will focus on health, wellness and outdoor activities in Ellsworth. The mural will be interactive, allowing people to stand in front of it and become a part of the scene. Expect to see the first phase of the mural debut in the next few months.

Holly Wyland won the contest to design the Ellsworth Dog Park logo in September 2021.

Photo courtesy of Ellsworth Dog Park Committee