Brown County Parks holds a ribbon cutting at Pamperin Park in Howard for its newest outdoor rental facility, June 4, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online
HOWARD, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A new Brown County park shelter is giving the community another place to gather outdoors.
The Brown County Parks Department cut the ribbon Thursday on a new open-air rental facility at Pamperin Park in Howard.
“It’s been a couple years in the making. We know that the community has been asking for more public covered space here at Pamperin Park. It’s one of our most well-loved and used parks in the County Parks system, so we’re happy to provide this new amenity to the community as a gathering place. That’s really what the parks are for,” said Brown County Parks Department Director Matt Kriese.
The new shelter replaces a smaller, decades-old gazebo. The more-than 5,500-square-foot facility will be able to hold parties, weddings, reunions, company picnics and other gatherings, with a maximum capacity of 125 people. Pamperin Park is also home to an indoor dance hall that’s available to rent.
Kriese said the community is already responding well to the park’s new addition. Since last week, 10 reservations have been booked.
“Any time we have a new amenity to offer the community in the parks, it’s not about us. It’s not about right now. It’s about future generations,” said Kriese. “That’s what we’re doing in our job is setting up the future park system for generations to come in Brown County.”
The shelter features electricity, a charcoal grill, ping pong table, rocking chairs and garbage/recycling containers.
As part of the project, which came in under its $300,000 budget, another 18 parking spaces were created at the park.
“We’re hearing from the public that they want these types of resources made available to them, and luckily, we have a great team and a great staff that continue to champion investments like this,” said Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach.
The shelter can be booked online. If you need additional assistance, call the Brown County Parks Office at (920) 448-4466.
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