Freedom Park Center for Veterans, Seniors & Youth

Freedom Park Center, Serving Veterans, Seniors and Youth in Western Wisconsin

Freedom Park Center is a new community-service facility, nearing completion in New Richmond, WI. A partnership of VFW Post 10818, the New Richmond Senior Center and the City of New Richmond, Freedom Park Center will provide veterans, seniors and youth in St. Croix County and Western Wisconsin with much-needed services in education, recreation, health and wellness.

VFW Post 10818 has become synonymous with community service. Over the past 12 years, the Post has consistently been recognized as an All-American Post and awarded with the National Outstanding Community Service award in recognition of its many services to the community. 

Prior to 2017, many of New Richmond’s nonprofit service organizations were housed in the city’s central Community Commons building. In late 2016 the groups were notified that the structure would be demolished within the year. All were forced to move to separate facilities and faced higher costs, compromising the services they provide to populations in need.

To address this challenge, VFW Post 10818 proposed the idea of a new community center as a permanent home for the displaced organizations. The proposal gained immediate support from community leaders and since that time has been enthusiastically endorsed by representatives of the city of New Richmond, legislators and community businesses. 

Freedom Park Center is located in an attractive lakefront park on Highway 64, the main artery in New Richmond connecting Minnesota with central and northern Wisconsin. Overlooking soccer and football fields, walking trails and picnic areas, the 17,400 square-foot facility has three major sections – a Veterans Center, a Senior Center, and a Community Event Center – centered around a commercial kitchen, classrooms and offices.

When Freedom Park Center is completed, veterans and their families will have a central place for expanded services and programming. Seniors will have access to kitchen facilities, meeting spaces, health services and recreation. Youth groups will have expanded facilities for activities, supporting the many youth groups that use the surrounding athletic fields. The vision of Freedom Park Center is to become a major, permanent community resource for New Richmond and St. Croix County and serve all of Western Wisconsin.

Please contribute generously to assure Freedom Park Center is completed in 2024.