A beautiful bench was dedicated at Trippe Lake Park to the memory of James “Jim” Allen on November 6, 2025. About forty community members gathered at dusk to give tribute to Jim’s legacy of service to the city. The location was fitting, as his passions included the parks and the lakes, and he had served on the recently formed Lakes Advisory Committee. Candles lit the path to the bench, which is located a short distance from the lower shelter.

This memorial bench will serve as a lasting tribute to Jim’s spirit — a place to pause, reflect, and enjoy the beauty of the lakes he loved.

Jim Allen served on the Whitewater Common Council for 15 years, including a number of terms as president. His obituary may be viewed here. Nancy Des Jardin, Jim’s mother, said that “he loved this city, lived in this city, worked here, and learned to swim in this lake!” Other speakers, also pictured below, testified to the devotion that Jim had to the city,