Community Foundation Expands Support For Parks To People Projects

(Maquoketa, IA) – The Community Foundation of Jackson County has announced its commitment to invest $7,500 to support the Hurstville Trail, a 1.1 mile trail that will extend from the City of Maquoketa to the Hurstville Interpretive Center, and a $5,000 grant for the pavilion in the newly developed Prairie Creek County Park on the south end of Maquoketa. These projects are a part of the 2-year plan for the Grant Wood Mississippi River Region, the State of Iowa’s Parks to People pilot region. The region is comprised of Jackson, Jones and Dubuque Counties. In the Spring of 2016, the Community Foundation of Jackson County committed $10,000 for the Maquoketa River Bike and Pedestrian Bridge and $10,000 to the City of Bellevue for the trail extension and pedestrian bridge at Felderman Park.

The Community Foundation’s funding adds to the broad support each of these projects have from both the private and public sectors. Importantly, these projects highlight the great quality of life projects in Jackson County.

“The Foundation sees this effort as a great investment, bringing quality of life and making this community an even better place to live,” said Community Foundation Board member, Kerry Schepers.

The Parks to People pilot project is a State initiative to create a regional arts, cultural and recreational destination that utilizes the State of Iowa’s investment of $1.9 million to leverage private investment. Over the last year the Jackson, Jones and Dubuque County stakeholders have worked to develop a 2-year plan to enhance, promote and sustain the regions assets. This plan, approved in December 2015 by the Iowa Parks Foundation, outlines up to $21 million of enhancements for the region’s parks, recreation and natural spaces. Only the projects that can leverage private dollars will move forward.

Dave Heiar, Jackson County Economic Alliance (JCEA) Director and Grant Wood Mississippi River Region (GWMRR) Program Coordinator stated, “New trails and increased recreational opportunities are a tool for economic development, as they draw residents and visitors to our communities. We are grateful for the Foundation’s continued support of this collaborative effort. We feel that this type of public private partnership yields great results.”

The Grant Wood Mississippi River Region’s mission is to leverage the incredible community support for this region’s wonderful cultural, natural, arts and recreation assets. There are a couple ways the community can support the many great quality of life projects in your community. Starting this November 29th, also known as

“Giving Tuesday”, GWMRR asks that you consider making a tax deductible donation. You can go to their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/GWMRR/) and press the “Donate” button, or visit the Community Foundation’s website (http://tinyurl.com/hfz5s7y) to see how you can be a part of this project.

As Thanksgiving and the holiday season approaches many will be shopping online. Amazon Smile helps nonprofits by donating .5% of the price of your purchases to a charity. You will see eligible products marked “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” on their smile.amazon.com product detail pages. Only purchases at smile.amazon.com, (not www.amazon.com or the mobile app,) support charity.

For more information look for the Grant Wood Loop on Facebook (www.facebook.com/GWMRR), or contact the Jackson County Economic Alliance: hockenberry@thejcea.org, (563) 652-4549.