Just skating by: Group needs help to keep Traxler tradition alive and well
To donate
Tax-deductible donations can be made to Friends of Traxler. Checks should be payable to Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, 26 S. Jackson St., Janesville, WI 53545. Write Friends of Traxler on the memo line. Call (608) 758-0883 or 1-800-995-2379 for more information.
Wish list
Friends of Traxler would like money to buy items on the following wish list:
-- Ice skates
-- Ice skate storage or shelving
-- Outdoor lights
-- Sound system
-- Flooring
-- Hockey sticks, pucks and helmets
-- Skate sharpeners
Photo
Sally and Jeff Keena have been volunteering for years at the Traxler park outdoor ice rink. The pair were instrumental in the resurgence of outdoor skating in Janesville and have even started a nonprofit to help manage the rink.
JANESVILLE — Jeff Keena remembers the surprised look on a mother's face when she learned it was free for her child to ice skate at Traxler Park.
The family appeared to be having financial trouble. The child wanted to hit the rink, but the mother seemed worried about the cost of renting skates.
"It's free, Mom," the boy said. "It's free."
In a tough economy, families still can spend the day at the ice rink without spending a dime. Many children return several times after their parents discover skates are free.
The result is more people are using the rink, Keena said, and donations are needed to buy more skates, a hockey box and an outdoor sound system to offer families more.
Keena and his wife, Sally, and several other volunteers have been providing children with skates and managing the warming hut for nine years, but they need more volunteers and money to take the rink to the next level.
"We're all here because we want to see something for the kids," Jeff said. "It doesn't cost anything to be here, just a little bit of time."
The Keenas started the nonprofit Friends of Traxler to bring the ice rink back to its glory days.
Jeff, 45, grew up going to the ice rink in the late 1970s. At that time, Traxler Park had three rinks and was a social hub in the winter. Hundreds of people gathered in the park regularly.
The Keenas know the rink will never be that popular again, but they still want to provide free skating to local children.
"I don't think there are enough opportunities in Janesville to do something constructive at no cost," Sally, 41, said.
Volunteers make sure kids are getting fitted with skates. They light the fire in the warming hut. They sell candy and soft drinks at the concession stand. Many donate their own money to the cause.
Donations cover the cost of items such as skates, the popcorn machine and the refrigerator. The city floods the rink and pays for powering the hut.
Kids regularly skate and play hockey in the park. Parents can be seen watching from their cars. Skaters often shuffle in and out of the hut.
Someday, the Keenas said, they hope to attract more children to the ice.
After all, it's free.
Jan 19, 2009 at 6:45 p.m.
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wonderful story, and it's nice to see that the friends of Traxler is doing this... I remember years ago when many people used to ice skate on the actual lagoon to a point where orange safety cones 'barracaded' the safe ice from the thin ice... amazing how things have changed over the years...
Jan 19, 2009 at 4:01 p.m.
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I have a pair of prof. womens figure skates.I skated for many years but it slowly became work instead of fun. I have hung on to them thinking someday I would take my kids skating but I dont think that will ever happen.I think it's time to pass them on to you!
Jan 19, 2009 at 3:58 p.m.
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This is a wonderful story, and brings great memories of my childhood. I grew up right up the hill on Memorial Drive, and traxler park ice rink was the hangout. I am planning on taking my son tonight, I just hope this old body still knows how to skate. Sally and Jeff, I don't suppose you have butt bumpers for those of us who fall with very little grace?
Jan 19, 2009 at 3:26 p.m.
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It is true that Jeff is the one who really got this whole adventure started but we could not do it without the continued support from our friends, families, and our employers' generous contributions! Thank you to all who have ever helped us out! Way to go 'Friends of Traxler'!!
Jan 19, 2009 at 3:23 p.m.
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optimism - thank you for offering to help. Please stop by the Warming House and ask for Jeff. If he's not there, please leave your name and number so he can contact you! Thank you so much!!
Sally Keena
Jan 19, 2009 at 2:56 p.m.
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I am wondering if instead of donating money for new shelves, if a person could donate materials and time and build to suit any items needed? We are a carpenter/buider family, and have tons of wood and TONS of time being no one is buildind right now. Also, is there a need for teenage helpers? I have a 16 year old son who is a great hockey player and ice skater and love kids. I bet he would love to help out if that type of help is needed as well. If anyone knows on here, please let me know.
Jan 19, 2009 at 2:30 p.m.
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nice story... the looks on the parents faces when they see the whole family can skate for free!!keep up the good work guys....I hope Janesville knows how lucky they are to have you there!!
Jan 19, 2009 at 2:16 p.m.
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It is wonderful to see that Traxler Park is still a great place to ice skate.
I was never really good at ice skating, but would go to socialize with my fiends in the '60's and early '70's. Such great memories.
Thanks to the Keena's for keeping it going.
Jan 19, 2009 at 1:37 p.m.
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This a fantastic thing,the Keenas are giving back, and hopefully it will bring wonderful memories to kids who use the facility now, to pay it forward years from now. I to have many memories of skating/socializing at Traxler park, Our whole neighborhood would have parents carpool loads of kids there and back, drop off after supper, and pickup at closing, they had to shut the lights off to get Us to leave. I hope enough parents get word of this, so they can take advantage of this wonderful service.
Jan 19, 2009 at 1:23 p.m.
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My daughter got skates a couple years ago, they don't fit her anymore, and she doesn't even know how to skate, I'll see if she will donate them!
Jan 19, 2009 at 1:18 p.m.
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Rent-to grant the possession and enjoyment of (property, machinery, etc.) in return for the payment of rent from the tenant or lessee.
Jan 19, 2009 at 12:56 p.m.
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hannah
Don't confuse people now, there is no rental, The skates are free as long as the warming house is open
Jan 19, 2009 at 11:44 a.m.
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I was an advid Traxler park skater in years past, I loved going there to play Hockey, I feel that traxlers appeal realy lost it self when they took out the hockey box, Now I take my kids to mcfarland where there is an out door hockey box, I took 12 stiches in the upper lip at Traxler, Yup hockey puck to the face... The good old days... My youngest boy just asked me Sunday how I got to be so good at hockey and the only thing I could come up with is this. Trying to impress all the ladys watching the games at Traxler Park !!!! BRING BACK OUR HOCKEY BOX I never understood why they took out the old one???
Jan 19, 2009 at 11:30 a.m.
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Hours are
Monday - Friday 4pm-9pm
Saturday noon-9pm
Sunday noon-8pm
Jan 19, 2009 at 11:21 a.m.
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This was the place (land rink and lagoon)to be when I was younger. TV, iPods, cell phones, and Xbox 360 have replaced events like these. We used to go here and meet girls, and the place was loaded with them. I have heard that the Leisure Services Advisory Committee is very appreciative of the Keena's. Do you know what a $10,000 budget would do for this place? Is there a local business or philanthrapist that might be able to help?
Jan 19, 2009 at 11:05 a.m.
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I would like to know the hours they are open. Sound like something for 1st timers to try out.
Jan 19, 2009 at 9:37 a.m.
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This is wonderful! I may have a pair of skates around here to donate. Thanks to the Keena's for keeping this going.
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