|
Two Rivers City Hall
1717 E. Park Street
Two Rivers, WI 54241
920-793-5523
| |  | |
Public Survey on
Funding Priorities
|
Engaging the Community Before Decisions are Made
The City of Two Rivers is inviting residents to share their input on how local dollars should be prioritized in the years ahead. As we continue to balance essential services with infrastructure needs and community enhancements, your feedback will help guide the City Council in setting future budget priorities. City Staff is not making any recommendations on these at this time, we want resident feedback first.
This survey highlights several key areas where reinvestment could have a meaningful impact. Every response helps ensure that spending decisions reflect the values and priorities of our residents. Thank you for taking a few moments to help shape the future of Two Rivers.
Complete the survey online, or stop at City Hall to fill out a printed copy.
| |
City Welcomes
Community Development Director
| After nearly two years of this critical position being vacant, the City of Two Rivers is proud to announce that Jeff Sachse officially began in mid-October as Two Rivers’ new Community Development Director, bringing a strong focus on business retention, downtown revitalization, and smart growth. Jeff will serve as the primary liaison to businesses and developers, with a mission to strengthen our downtown, grow jobs, and advance housing redevelopment. | | |
Smart Spending, Strong Service:
The Library’s Ongoing Commitment to the Community
| | |
The Best Way to Support your Library
is to Use It
Between 2020 and 2023, the library invested over $500,000 in improvements. Things like new carpet, roof repairs, upgraded electrical systems, modern shelving and furniture, drive-thru service, StoryWalks, and enhancements to library grounds and nearby parks.
All without City capital funding. These upgrades were made possible entirely through grants and private donations, not taxpayer dollars.
At the same time, our collection and programming budgets have remained unchanged since 2007 and the library now operates with 12 fewer staff positions. The responsibilities once handled by a full-time Office Manager, Cataloger, and multiple circulation, custodial, and support staff have been absorbed by current employees, who continue to serve the community with dedication and creativity.
Despite reduced resources, the library continues to broaden its reach, hosting book clubs, film series, bilingual learning opportunities, multiple speaker series highlighting new and local history topics, robust early-literacy programs, and take-home activity packs for children and families. The popular play area remains a vibrant destination for residents and visitors alike, reinforcing the library’s role as a hub for community engagement and lifelong learning.
Your library remains a model of efficiency, resourcefulness, and community impact, doing more with less to serve you better every day.
| | Two Rivers Business Tourism Impact Survey | | |
Explore Two Rivers Business Survey – Summer 2025
In the summer of 2025, the tourism marketing organization for the City of Two Rivers, Explore Two Rivers conducted a survey to gather input from local business owners on tourism, marketing, and economic development in the community.
A total of 49 surveys were completed, representing a diverse cross-section of the local business landscape. Approximately one-quarter of respondents were from the retail sector, one-quarter from lodging, one-quarter from attractions, and the remaining quarter from other types of businesses within the Two Rivers community.
The insights collected will help guide future efforts to support and promote Two Rivers as a vibrant place to visit, live, and do business. (click on the image to watch video)
| | The Fateful Wreck of the SS Continental | |
Just north of Rawley Point Lighthouse lies the wreck of the SS Continental, a steam-powered bulk freighter that met its end in a December snowstorm in 1904. After 22 years of service on the Great Lakes, the vessel was bound for Manitowoc when its captain, disoriented by blinding snow, mistakenly steered the ship toward shore. Riding high in the water with no cargo, the Continental struck a sandbar at high speed and was pushed far onto it.
All 20 crew members safely reached shore with help from local fishermen, but tugboats couldn’t free the grounded ship. Over the winter, ice and shifting currents tore it apart.
Today, the wreck rests in just 15 feet of water within the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary, where sections still rise above the surface during low water. The Continental remains a haunting reminder of Lake Michigan’s power and the maritime history that shaped our shoreline.
| |
Great news for the community of Two Rivers,
Violet Inn, Lounge & Spa are now accepting bookings!
| |
Cool City Christmas:
3rd Annual Celebration Is Fast Approaching
| | |
Cool City Christmas Tree Decorating Contest: Register Now
With less than two months left to get things organized, City staff are putting the final touches on preparations for the 3rd Annual Cool City Christmas celebration, scheduled for Saturday, December 13, 2025.
This year’s festivities are kicking off early with the Cool City Christmas Tree Decorating Contest!
This outdoor decorating event transforms Central Park into a sparkling holiday wonderland filled with creativity and community spirit
A BIG thank you to the Rotary Club of Two Rivers for generously donating toward the purchase of 30 trees from Sprang Farms for this year's contest.
Decorating Weekend: November 21–23, 2025
Registration Deadline: November 14, 2025
Registration Fee: $25 (helps cover the cost of the tree)
Only 30 trees are available, so participants are encouraged to sign up early! Individuals, families, community groups, and businesses are all welcome to join. Contestants will decorate their trees based on unique themes — from traditional and whimsical to eco-friendly or cultural — and judges will evaluate each entry on creativity, theme, and originality.
Then... at the Cool City Christmas celebration on December 13, take a horse-drawn carriage ride around Central Park and enjoy all the beautifully decorated trees! Visit with Santa and his reindeer. Take the kids to Santa’s Workshop and make crafts. Shop local downtown and at the vendor and craft fair. Warm up by the fire with a s’mores treat or grab a bite from one of the food trucks on site.
There is something for everyone!
It’s a Saturday full of family-friendly fun, holiday cheer, and community connection.
Sponsors and Volunteers are Still Needed!
If you’re interested in helping make this year’s celebration shine, please contact Two Rivers Parks & Recreation for more details. 920-793-5592
Let’s come together to celebrate the season and make this year’s Cool City Christmas the brightest one yet!
| | |
Two Rivers Fall Wine and Beer Walk
Friday, October 24, 2025
5:00pm to 8:30pm
The Two Rivers Fall Wine and Beer Walk – “Reds, Whites and Brews,” will be held on Friday, Oct. 24th from 5:00 – 8:30 pm. Participants can choose to sample either wine flavors or beer flavors at Two Rivers businesses.
After you check in at the Main Street Office, you are free to walk Washington Street and more, sampling wine or beer – visiting businesses, spending time with friends, and making new ones.
There will also be food to sample, people to answer questions, displays to look at and more.
Tickets will be available in early September. You can click here to order your tickets online, or pick them up at Inky Blues Community Art Center (1506 20th Street) or Two Rivers Main Street Office 1608 Washington Street.
Tickets are $35 each. Tickets must be purchased in advance. There are a limited number of tickets available, so don’t wait! CLICK HERE to purchase your ticket.
| | | |
TReasure Quest: Halloween Edition
Saturday, October 25, 2025 - 6:00pm to 8:30pm
The library’s Halloween stash has vanished, and only you and your fellow TReasure Questors can recover it. Track the clues, question the witnesses, rule out the suspects—the townspeople are counting on you!
Reserve your start time by calling 920.793.8888.
Expect an hour of adventure, arrange your own transportation between spooky locations around town, and remember: children under 12 need a grown-up sidekick.
| | Meetings Scheduled for Next Week | | Agendas are available for public meetings at least 24 hours prior to meeting times. Click Here | | | | |
