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Waterfront Park Dedicated

In what is hoped to be only a first phase in redeveloping Sister Bay’s waterfront, the village dedicated the new Sister Bay Waterfront Park July 17.

A brief ceremony was attended by State Representative Garey Bies, a representative from the office of Congressman Steve Kagen, many Door County officials and about 100 others on the grounds where Helm’s Four Seasons motel stood for 50 years.

Jack Moneypenny, CEO/President of the Door County Visitor Bureau, presented village president Denise Bhirdo with an award from Wonders of Wisconsin, which voted Sister Bay the Best Small Town for Dining in the state.

The village purchased the property in April of 2007 for $4.9 million to avoid having it developed as condominiums. Over the past year a number of public hearings were held to gather input from citizens about what to do with the land, and this past spring the old motel was demolished to make way for park expansion.

Sister Bay bought Helm’s Four Seasons last year so they could open up the view to the water.

Eventually the village plans to extend the beach pier in an effort to grow the sand beach, making room for volleyball courts, new showers and bathrooms, historical features, and a silent sports launch.

Village Administrator Bob Kufrin said applications to continue work on the beach have been submitted to the state Department of Natural Resources.