St. Feriole Island Memorial Gardens in Wisconsin Bring Music and Nature Together

“It’s unique. It stands out. It will draw people to the gardens, which are already a wonderful part of our community,” Brian beamed. “It’s really great to see it done.”

The St. Feriole Island Memorial Gardens have brought music and nature together by offering visitors to the park the chance to play musical instruments in the open air.

Installed on a raised, circular platform or ‘stage’ located on the north end of the Memorial Gardens, the outdoor musical instruments are free to use for people of all ages or musical ability. The platform has a ramp for disabled access ensuring the area is fun and fully inclusive for all.

The gardens are a project in honour of Pat and the late Bruce Dillman, from their son Brian Dillman, along with his wife Jean Ann, and children. Prairie du Chien resident Carrie Nolan first discovered the concept of outdoor musical playground equipment about five years ago, and immediately felt it would be wonderful if there was a park locally where young children could play, learn and enjoy musical instruments while being outdoors.

Carrie presented her idea to the Memorial Gardens committee, who shared the notion with Brian Dillman and his mother, Pat, who had expressed a desire to do something in the gardens in memory of Bruce.

“We got together and started sharing ideas on how we could make this happen, where we could put it and what kind of platform we needed for mounting these instruments,” said Tom Nelson, who is heavily involved with the gardens, alongside his wife, Cathie. “That’s where Brian’s eyes started to sparkle. He started thinking about the engineering of it, which is his expertise.”

Brian stepped up and volunteered his skills, time and money to design and build the Harmony Gardens in honour of his parents. “I thought it would be a nice tribute to have for a city park,” Brian stated. Brian began to research outdoor musical instruments and chose Percussion Play as they made exactly the type of instruments he envisioned. He selected the colourful rainbow Cavatina, Cadenza and Duo Xylophone, tall Emperor Chimes and bright, Rainbow Samba drums. Then, he recruited his business crew to help complete the project.

“It was so much work but, watching it come together, was wonderful. Brian had so much fun doing it,” noted Cathie Nelson, “and, within 10 minutes of the last instrument being put in place, there was already a group that showed up to play.”

“It’s unique. It stands out. It will draw people to the gardens, which are already a wonderful part of our community,” Brian beamed. “It’s really great to see it done.”

“The name Harmony Gardens brings a continuity to what the Memorial Gardens are,” Tom Nelson said. “It’s also bringing more people into the gardens and that perfect harmonious sound for such a passive, quiet place.”