Partnering Through the Seasons with Hoyt Park
A Community Partner Profile
At Hoyt Park, summer isn’t just a season— it’s an experience. Families splash down waterslides, friends gather for Quizmaster’s Trivia Wednesdays, and neighbors meet at The Landing beer garden for laughter and conversation. Running a seasonal operation like this, though, comes with unique challenges— and that’s where WaterStone Bank steps in.
Hoyt Park has been a community hub since 1939, when the Civilian Conservation Corps built its first pool on the banks of the Menomonee River. Today, with its reconstructed pool, remodeled bathhouse, and lively beer garden, Hoyt continues to be a place where neighbors come together. But managing the finances and operations of a business that peaks in summer and slows in winter is no easy task.
“Each season has its own rhythm,” says Executive Director Elsa Knysak. “It’s about knowing when to ramp up and when to prepare for the slower months.”
WaterStone Bank understands those rhythms. Laura Christenson-Nix, Community President at our Wauwatosa branch, knows the importance of flexible, personalized support for small businesses. “We make sure Hoyt always has a dedicated point of contact, especially during the busy summer months,” Christenson-Nix says. “We provide solutions that help them succeed through the peaks and the quieter times.”
From handling finances to planning for growth, Hoyt relies on this partnership to keep the park thriving year after year. Plans are already in motion to add outdoor heating so activities can extend into colder months and continue offering high-quality programming for families all year long.
“WaterStone has been with us from the very beginning,” says Knysak. “They’re more than a bank—they’re a partner who truly gets the challenges small businesses face and helps us succeed through them.”
At WaterStone Bank, we love our customers and our community. Supporting small businesses like Hoyt Park isn’t just part of what we do—it’s who we are.
