McGregor’s Determination Park to be dedicated in honor of Breitbach
Long-time McGregor resident Dave Breitbach, who also served on the city’s park board for roughly 15 years, was instrumental in creating Determination Park. (Photo by Audrey Posten)
By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor
At its Aug. 16 meeting, the McGregor Council unanimously approved a request by Maria Brummel, on behalf of the city’s park board, to dedicate Determination Park in memory of long-time resident Dave Breitbach.
Breitbach, who passed away in June as a result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident, served on the park board for roughly 15 years.
When he joined, said Brummel, one of his goals was to help develop a park that had been promised to the lot owners in the Ridgewood West Subdivision, by Eagle Drive. “He was very forthright about it,” she noted with a smile.
Brummel said Breitbach was responsible for writing two grants, totaling $60,000 to $70,000, that were instrumental in constructing the playground equipment and shelter at Determination Park. He organized workers to put up the structures, and his sons completed Eagle Scout projects there.
“Because of Dave, we have that park,” she remarked.
Brummel said the park board does not want to re-name the park for Breitbach, as he selected the name “Determination Park,” but they would like to dedicate it in his honor, likely with a plaque. It would come at no cost to the city, she added.
“His loss is an enormous loss to the park board, the city and [Crossing Rivers],” where he served as chief financial officer for 22 years, she said. “It would be honoring a person who did a very good job for the community.”
