In April 2020, as COVID-19 interrupted everyone’s lives, the City of De Pere said goodbye to its retiring longtime mayor, Mike Walsh. Mayor Walsh served the City of De Pere as mayor for 24 years, with 14 years before that sitting on the city’s Park Board. The City of De Pere decided to thank and honor Mayor Walsh with the Mayor Michael j. Walsh Plaza in downtown De Pere. It was formally dedicated on July 14, 2021 and De Pere TV (DPTV), the city’s government access media center, was there to capture the historic event. Current Mayor James Boyd said, “We feel the serene and beautiful rest area on James Street serves as a fitting place to remember and permanently honor Michael J. Walsh and his many contributions to De Pere.”
De Pere TV produced two pieces. One that covered the entire event in full to air on DPTV and one, a highlight video, produced for social media. You can view the short piece below with snippets from the speeches and a brief look at the walkway, destination waterfall, chime pergola and benches. This was the first major production by the City of De Pere’s new Video Production Specialist, Justine Braun.
Mayor Walsh thanked those who created the plaza saying they have “given people a peaceful area to be able to sit and relax in the heart of the city.” This video certainly captures the serene feel of the plaza.
