A northside neighborhood park will be named Lundgaard Park in honor of fallen firefighter Mitch Lundgaard to ensure his sacrifice in the line of duty isn't forgotten.
The Common Council voted unanimously Wednesday to name the 7-acre park in memory of Lungaard, who was fatally shot by a gunman during a May 15, 2019, medical call at the Valley Transit Center. He was 36.
Dean Gazza, Appleton's director of parks, recreation and facilities management, said Lundgaard meets the city's criteria for naming a park. He was motivated to pursue a career in the fire service by the 9/11 terrorist attacks, served 14 years with the Appleton Fire Department and enjoyed coaching and watching his three boys in sports.
"Our department would be proud to have this parkland officially named after Mitch for his service and heroism to our community," Gazza said.