...Our main purpose is as our mission states, to encourage community interaction and work alongside each other to enrich our city and the environment we live in.”

Kristi Weiland, Stanley Community Association President

The Stanley Community Association, with SCA President Kristi Weiland, Treasurer Lance Weiland, and Secretary Nikki Witt, shared a rendering of the future playground equipment for Chapman Park with SCA members at the July 11^th monthly meeting. The City Council approved the SCA’s plans to move forward with new playground equipment at Chapman Park but is waiting for more information on the splashpad before granting splashpad approval.  With the price marked at approximately $180,000 to $200,000 for the playground equipment and approximately $300,000 for a splash pad, the Stanley Community Association hopes for more community involvement as they have a long way to go.

Under the leadership of Lance and Kristi Weiland, the Stanley Community Association officially began in July of 2021, but the idea of a Community Organization began months before.  “My husband, Lance, and I were at a very nice splash pad in Sheboygan, and we thought of how nice it would be to have something like that in Stanley. That was the original goal, but it has evolved into much more than that,” said Kristi Weiland, SCA President. “Besides working with the city to see if a splash pad is going to be possible and moving forward with adding an inclusive playground at Chapman Park, our main purpose is as our mission states, to encourage community interaction and work alongside each other to enrich our city and the environment we live in.”

Weiland added that the dream of a splash pad in Stanley has evolved into much more as it has become about creating more family-friendly events in Stanley and making it a place where people are drawn throughout the year. In the past two years, the SCA has organized many events to raise money for new playground equipment for Chapman Park including, summer concerts, Bingo, a Fall Festival, Trunk or Treat, the Snowman Shuffle and cookies with Santa and Mrs. Clause, and a Holiday Light Competition that lit up the Stanley Community. But the Stanley Community Association is more than just fun.

Weiland explained, “When the tornado hit, we were asked to help Forward Bank with the Stanley Relief Fund, because we had our 501c3 which means donations are tax deductible.” From there the SCA organized the Tornado Cleanup Day and they also accept donations at their events for the local food pantry.

Stanley is home to many local, community driven organizations and when asked why they chose to start another one, Weiland shares her thoughts. “We certainly didn’t mean to offend any of the preexisting groups and the decision to start the SCA was not made lightly. It definitely would have been easier to just join a group. I did lots of research and found a 501c3 organization is eligible for many more grants.” She explained that she thought that starting a 501c3 would be the best way to help Stanley get funding for improvements, not realizing that the Sportsmans’ Club in Stanley had one.  “And it did work. After the tornado I was able to apply for and we received several grants that provided for the victims. Since we started the Rodeo has also gotten their 501c3, which is fantastic! Stanley having three 501c3, all with different goals opens us up for pretty much any grant opportunity that comes along. As a 501c3 you have to prove the money you receive goes towards your stated goals. So, we would not all be eligible for the same things. We with the SCA are happy to be a part of the tapestry of groups that make Stanley great. Every one of us contributing something unique.” She added, “Now we all just need volunteers.” 

Local volunteers are the backbone of community organizations to keep them running and Weiland shared her feelings on the importance of local volunteers. “After my work with the SCA, I have an all-new appreciation for how communities just don’t work without people. There are so many vital roles, City Council, school board, all the club leaders, coaches, food pantry volunteers, and so many more. There were definitely times in my life when I didn’t feel I had time or energy to be involved. It has to be the right time for you and your family, but even a few hours once in a while means a lot to people organizing events. You don’t need to attend meetings to volunteer. We encourage anyone able, to reach out to whatever group you feel you can help. If you don’t know who to contact, you can email us, and we can get you in contact with someone from that group.”

 Weiland shared the hard work that SCA members have accomplished to improve the City of Stanley including staining the wooden playground equipment and wooden picnic tables at Chapman Park, repainting the merry-go-round, mini monkey bars, having the swings and seesaws sandblasted, adding new swings and installing an inclusion swing.  This past July they also helped the United Way refresh the Learning Trail at Chapman Park. The SCA also began the High Five Award which is a local award given out to acknowledge all people in the community that make a positive difference. The Stanley Community Association is also providing tax deductions for donations to the bike trail in Stanley.

“I feel we gave people an opportunity to be involved in something, when maybe they didn’t know how to be involved before. We have acted as a catalyst for a number of projects, our own and some other groups,” Weiland remarked.

The Stanley Community Association is not slowing down with many events to raise money for the park equipment scheduled for the remainder of this year. On August 10^th and 11th during City Wide Thrift Sales, they are hosting a thrift sale at the Stanley Community Building, which also includes open mic night and concessions from 5pm to 8pm.  The second Fall Festival on September 23^rd will include the Autumn Classic Car Show presented by Wundrow Auto Repair, The Bear Creek Band, chili competition, pie eating competition, food vendors, vendor fair, DJ, bouncy houses and more!  Trunk or Treat is scheduled for the last Saturday of October in Chapman Park and plans are already being made for the second Holiday light competition in December.

Stanley Community Association meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm in the City Hall Conference Room. The SCA is currently focusing their enhancements on the City of Stanley but anyone in the Stanley-Boyd area is welcome to be a part of the SCA.

Weiland states, “We are always looking for new members who are interested in helping.”

To be added to the email list, email them at sca5468@gmail.com 

Anyone who wishes to make a tax-deductible donation towards the playground equipment can email the SCA for more information.