Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Thursday, May 15, 2008

Celebrating 100 years of parks

By SAMANTHA MARCUS | La Crosse Tribune

Charles Gelatt doesn’t remember much about the Parks Board’s 50th anniversary, but he does remember ice skating on the lagoon at Pettibone Park.

Gelatt, 90, was at that historic meeting and was a special guest today as the La Crosse Board of Park Commissioners celebrated the 100 year anniversary of its establishment.

Pettibone has come a long way since he was young, recalled the former president of Northern Engraving Corp.

“It used to be all wild grasses,” he said.

And Riverside Park, which hosted today’s celebration, still is the most beautiful, Gelatt said. “It’s both natural and civilized.”

The La Crosse native served on the Parks Board during its 50th year.

“We didn’t meet that often because we didn’t have much money to work with then,” he said.

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