Tucked away on the north side of Goldfield is a little treasure known as Down Memory Lane. This roughly 2.6 acre park has been a work-in-progress since it was established in 1993 by the women of the Bayview Study Club. Currently, the children of one of the park’s original founders, Sandy Schipull, along with countless volunteers from near and far, are working to spruce it up even more.
Greg Schipull says he remembers back in the day how parades used to go past the area. On Memorial Day, a band even led a procession past the site (that is now Down Memory Lane) on their way out to Glenwood Cemetery for services. Unfortunately, it was an eye-soar for the community, collecting junk and growing weeds. In 1993, the Bayview Study Club decided to do something about it, taking it on as a community betterment project.
“Mom, Millie Nelson, and the others did it because they thought it should be a pretty view for those driving out to the cemetery,” said Greg.
The club got to work collecting pop cans and doing whatever else they could to raise money. The junk was cleared and replacing it was flowering bushes, trees, and a walking path. The completion of Down Memory Lane was officially celebrated in May of 1995. It became a place of beauty that people could enjoy as they drove by, or stop and spend some time. Over the years, signs were added, benches, and even a picnic table. While the project was spearheaded by Schipull, Nelson, and the Bayview Club, they recognized that the true success of the park came to be because of the countless number of volunteers who made it possible, contributing time, money, and/or their talents to make it happen.
All of that hard work had paid off. Not only did the people of Goldfield and surrounding communities have something beautiful to enjoy, but the Bayview Club and all the volunteers were recognized for their efforts in 1995 when they received the N.I.A.D Park Improvement Award. The Down Memory Lane project received 2nd Place in the 24th annual award administered by ISU Extension, the North Iowa Area Development (N.I.A.D.), and the Park, Recreation, and Tourism Committee. In 1996, the Down Memory Lane project received another award, was 2nd Place for Community Improvement from W.C.I.F. A sign proudly hangs in the park today commemorating these awards.
After Sandy Schipull passed away in 2018, her children, Greg Schipull, Dana Halverson, and Jeff Schipull,decided to place a bench at the Down Memory Lane park in her and their father’s, Duane, memory.
“This place was very important to my mom,” Greg said of their decision to make the donation.
When they went out there with the bench, that’s when they really took notice of how the park was “going downhill.” The three siblings agreed, they couldn’t let this park that had meant so much to their mother continue to deteriorate. They knew they would need money, and many volunteers, to make the necessary improvements, so they went back to the basics. It was pop can donations that kicked this project off, so they knew it was pop cans they would collect once again. Since the new collection drive began, they have already collected $3,000. That may sound like a lot of money, but it really doesn’t go all that far, so they are still collecting, because although a lot has been accomplished, there’s always more that needs to be done.
“One of the neatest things about the Down Memory Lane Project reboot is all the support we’ve received from other communities. We’ve had a ton of support from Eagle Grove,” said Greg. “We’ve also had support (monetary, cans, or labor) from Clarion, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, all the way to Belle Plaine, Minnesota.”
Some of these people are family and friends, but others are complete strangers who have never even been to Goldfield or seen Down Memory Lane, but have heard about the project and want to help.
In 2019, someone donated cranberry bushes that were planted behind the bench in Sandy and Duane’s honor. Cranberry bushes are said to attract cardinals, and Sandy’s favorite bird was the cardinal.
In 2020, day lilies were planted in front of the Down Memory Lane sign that sits at the front of the entrance. This year, so far, they’ve repainted signs, laid new mulch, and done hours upon hours of shrub/tree trimming. They’ve also planted some new flowers, painted bird/bee/butterfly houses, and have new gravel ready to be poured on the walking paths. They would love to blacktop the paths, but the quote they received was $30,000.
“Enjoying nature is what this park is about,” said Greg.
He and his siblings want to make sure it’s in the best condition possible, so people, young and old, near or far, can come out and take a walk around to enjoy the flowers, the butterfly garden, the monumental signs, the birds and more. You might also want to pack a picnic lunch to sit and enjoy on their stone picnic table under a large shade tree. It’s a very peaceful place to be where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of nature in all its greatest forms.
“We’ve come a long way, but we have a lot left to do,” said Great.
They are hoping to hold another community work day this fall, when the weather is cooler. He welcomes any and all volunteers, whether they can come for an hour or an entire day. Lots of hands make for light work. Their goal is to finish all the trimming and debris removal. If possible, he would also like to split perennial plants and do some more weeding and mulching. Greg said he is also in search of someone who knows more about butterfly gardens than he does. His attempt this year was not quite as successful as he had hoped. If there’s anyone out there who might be interested, he encourages you to call him at 515-851-1965.
You can also call Greg if you have pop cans you would like to donate to the Down Memory Lane Project. He is hoping to hold another drive after Labor Day.
Greg can’t stress enough how none of this, from its very beginning in 1993 to today, would be nowhere possible if it weren’t for the generous hearts of the volunteers. From the people who have painted signs and bird houses, to the people who have poured gravel, to the tree trimmers, the pop can donors, the debris removers…and the list goes on and on. Their help and contributions are treasured as much as the park itself.
Down Memory Lane is a very special place for Greg, Jeff, and Dana because it was a special place to their mom. They are hoping it will become a special place for many others as well who enjoy flowers, birds, butterflies, and the chance to walk around or just sit and enjoy all of nature’s beauty. If you would like to see it for yourself, it’s located on N. Main Street, Goldfield, at the bottom of the hill, just before the railroad tracks.
