name

Kyran Hamill

family

Wife, Sadie; two boys, Simon (5) and Sebastian (3); and a dog and two cats.

neighborhood

Third Ward, Eau Claire

background

A native of the Milwaukee area, Kyran Hamill found a community to call home when he came to the Chippewa Valley to attend UW-Eau Claire in 1998. “Growing up in the suburbs, there was no authentic gathering place, sense of community, or collective focus,” he says. “And, of course, you had to drive everywhere. It feels so much more natural to be able to bike downtown, walk around, visit with friends I meet on the street, and enjoy all our community has to offer.” Other than a year and a half elsewhere in the mid-2000s, Hamill has lived in Eau Claire since. Currently, he’s in charge of marketing for Downtown Eau Claire Inc., which means he’s involved in many of the things that make the city special, from downtown festivals to project that put elaborate lights on the Phoenix Park bridge. He talked to Chippewa Valley Family about his favorite places to explore with his family, how he keeps his kids laughing, and the value of carrying a handkerchief.

We love the Chippewa Valley because there is so much energy, excitement, and potential right now. New people with new perspectives are moving to the area, and there are so many cool opportunities opening up for our family to grow and learn!

I couldn’t live without my wife. Seriously, she keeps our family going and is such a wonderful mother to our boys. Not sure how we got so lucky.

My favorite place to take the kids is Mount Simon. It’s just the right challenge for a 5- and a 3-year-old, and you get a great view over the Chippewa Valley. Lots of family selfies taken at the top of the mountain!

My family has taught me the value of our community. Eau Claire is such an amazing place to grow a family and let them expand their horizons. There is so much for our family to explore: arts, music, trails, parks, woods, tech, food, and so much more. It’s a terrific time to live in Eau Claire!

I never leave the house without a handkerchief in my back pocket. It’s a completely old school thing, but I use it almost every day with the boys’ runny noses, scrapes, and spills. If it was good enough for my grandpa and my dad, it’s good enough for me!

In the fall, you’ll find us taking a walk along Putnam Trail. It’s a hidden gem right in the middle of our city, and the perfect place to take a quiet break, get some exercise, and enjoy the fall colors.

When the kids are with a sitter, we love to hop downtown for a cocktail and a nice dinner. It’s all about catching up and reliving those distant moments before we had kids. So many things demand my attention on a daily basis: kids, my phone, work. It’s so wonderful to give that attention to someone who doesn’t demand it: my wife.

My spouse would say my super power is being flexible. We’re both very active community members, and I do my best to adjust my schedule to fit hers. We hand off the kids a lot, passing each other in the doorway, but the flexibility helps us to both have personal and family lives.

My kids will tell you that their dad is silly. I try to make them laugh whenever I can. The easiest way to get them to laugh is to quote The Lego Movie: “Honey, where are my paaaaaaants?”

If I could pass on one bit of advice it would be get out and explore. There are so many hidden treasures in our community. Woodland trails, tunnels, cute little shops, great food, and lots of playgrounds. (Did you know there are eight swing sets throughout downtown Eau Claire?) It’s great exercise, and you’ll teach your kids to discover their community and to be lifetime explorers!