Madison park renamed in memory of Dick Wagner, first openly gay Dane County Board member – Channel3000.com – WISC-TV3
MADISON, Wis. — Kerr-McGee Triangle Park in Madison has been officially renamed in memory of R. Richard “Dick” Wagner, Dane County’s first openly gay county board member who died late last year.
A dedication ceremony at the park, located at the intersection of Williamson and Jenifer streets, paid tribute to Wagner, one of the first openly gay officials in the country and a founding member of the National Association and Conference of Gay and Lesbian Public Officials.
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Wagner was also a founding member and served on the boards of numerous local and national organizations, including the Olbrich Botanical Society.
“He loved Olbrich. He was so proud of Olbrich. I give him tremendous credit for the Olbrich Botanical Gardens we have today in our community,” longtime downtown Madison Ald. Mike Verveer said.
In 2019, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway declared June 25 as Richard Wagner Day in honor of his longtime community work.
Wagner died in December.
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