City of Oshkosh - Parks Services & Events

09/10/2026

Big vehicles, little imaginations, and a morning full of family fun! 🚒🚛🚜

Touch-a-Truck is rolling into Leach Amphitheater on Saturday, September 19! Get an up-close look at impressive vehicles, dig into the dump truck sandbox, race remote-controlled vehicles, and enjoy rides on kiddie trucks.

Admission is FREE, so bring the whole crew and come explore!

Sponsored by Oshkosh Corporation

📍 Leach Amphitheater
📅 Saturday, September 19, 2026
🕙 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

09/04/2026

The Parks Services & Events Office, located at 805 Witzel Avenue, will be closed on Monday, September 7, in honor of Labor Day.

09/03/2026

Great news! The Lakefly Café at Menominee Park Zoo and the Menominee Park Train will remain open beyond Labor Day!

Through Labor Day, hours are:

Lakefly Café & Menominee Park Train:
Monday–Friday: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

After Labor Day (September 7), the Lakefly Café and Menominee Park Train will continue to operate on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. through September 27.

Menominee Park Zoo will remain open daily from 9 a.m.–6 p.m. through September 27.

Bring the family for a zoo visit, a train ride, and a stop at the Lakefly Café before the season wraps up!

09/02/2026

Help make this fall unforgettable—volunteer with Oshkosh Parks Services & Events! 🍂

We’re looking for volunteers to support several favorite community events this season. It’s a great opportunity for students to earn service hours and for community members to get involved, meet new people, and celebrate Oshkosh.

Volunteer opportunities are available for:

- Snooze at the Zoo
- Touch-a-Truck
- Brews in the Zoo
- Zooloween Boo

Sign up online today: https://app.betterimpact.com/PublicOrganization/7cb514ab-17d3-447b-8f13-176dc406d2fe/1

08/26/2026

Enjoy one last summer night of live music, great food, and family fun at Live at the Leach! 🎶

Join us for the final Live at the Leach concert of the year—a FREE Family Concert featuring That '90s Band at the Leach Amphitheater.

🗓️ Tuesday, September 1, 2026
🕠 Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
🎵 Music from 6–9 p.m.

Come hungry! Enjoy food from:

Tasty Thai Food Truck
Smokehound BBQ
Chihuas Tacos
Van Xiong

Plus, Festive Balloons will be joining the fun!

Bring your family, friends, chairs, or blankets and help us close out the season at the Leach Amphitheater!

08/25/2026

You may have noticed a dead or declining tree with much of its canopy removed and wondered why it is still standing.

When it can be safely pruned to reduce the risk of falling limbs or trunk failure, it can continue to serve an important purpose as a “wildlife tree.” These trees provide nesting and shelter for birds and bats, along with food and habitat for insects that support the broader urban ecosystem.

Retaining wildlife trees where appropriate helps balance public safety with biodiversity in our parks and natural areas.

08/25/2026

Big trucks, big fun, and hands-on adventures are coming to Leach Amphitheater! 🚛

Join us for Touch-a-Truck on Saturday, September 19, from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Explore impressive vehicles up close, play in the dump truck sandbox, race remote-controlled vehicles, and take a ride on kiddie trucks. 🚜

FREE admission—bring the whole family!

Sponsored by Oshkosh Corporation

📍 Leach Amphitheater
📅 Saturday, September 19, 2026
🕙 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

08/20/2026

Tomorrow, Friday, August 21, is your last chance to enjoy a FREE Community Train Day this year! 🚂

Thanks to Generac, riders can take a free trip on the Menominee Park Train from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Please note: All riders must still reserve a ride time at the depot window before boarding.

08/19/2026

We are honored to have Paul drive the Menominee Park Train! 😊

“The kids call me ‘the train guy!’

I retired from Midwest Carriers in August 2024. I drove a semi for 14 years. For a while, I drove all over, but near the end, I was mainly going from Wisconsin to Virginia. I'd take cheese and food products there and bring World Market products back. Virginia was about 1,100 miles away, so it was 2,200 miles round trip in five days. You gotta like driving.

After I retired, I spent some time relaxing. Then I wanted to find something a little more productive than sitting around. Last fall, I saw a picture of the new Menominee Park train in the Oshkosh Herald. Around April, I went down to the Parks Department and applied for the job. So now I'm still driving. It's just a much shorter route.

Technically, I'm both the engineer and the conductor. The engineer drives the train. I'm the conductor when I'm taking tickets and letting people on and off. The old trains used to have both, but I do both jobs. I wanted to keep that conductor role for the kids. I bought the overalls and conductor's hat. I'm the only one who doesn't have to wear the Oshkosh staff shirt. I thought the outfit would make it more fun and authentic for them. It's like being an actor. You want to have the real gear. I have a brass whistle and a pocket watch, too.

Sometimes the kids have little wooden whistles they've bought, and they'll blow theirs. Then I'll blow my brass whistle back at them. Before we leave, I yell, ‘All aboard!’ Then I'll call, ‘Last call for the 11:50!’

I like being outside. I've always liked the park. But the biggest part for me is making it fun and family friendly for the kids and families. Yeah, I drove a semi for 14 years. I guess I still like driving.”

(Grace’s Note: After years of long-haul driving 18-wheelers across the country, Paul Van Laarhoven had certainly earned the right to sit back and enjoy retirement. Instead, he traded the open road for a route around Menominee Park.

What’s your favorite Menominee Park memory? Tell us in the comments. For more information about Menominee Park Train, please visit https://www.oshkoshwi.gov/Parks/MenomineeParkTrain/)

08/19/2026