The City of Anamosa has been awarded a grant of $100,000 from Resource Enhancement and Protection commonly referred to as REAP. $100,000 was the maximum that a city of Anamosa’s size was eligible to receive.
REAP invests in projects that enhance and protect the Iowa’s natural and cultural resources. 15% of REAP is set aside for grants to cities for projects that help establish natural areas, encourage outdoor recreation and resource management.
The grant money will be used for the piece of the Wapsipinicon Trail that is within the city limits of Anamosa. The Wapsipinicon Trail connects the City of Anamosa to the Wapsipinicon State Park via a pedestrian trail largely following along Shaw Road. This project aims to better connect the residents and visitors to Anamosa natural and recreation spaces at the park. Wapsipinicon Trail Committee Member, Kris Gobeli said, “The committee is extremely pleased to receive this grant. With each grant we receive, we are that much closer to our goal of completing the trail.”
The Wapsipinicon Trail is part of the Grant Wood Mississippi River Region’s “Crossing the Wapsi” initiative. The Grant Wood Mississippi River Region is the pilot region for the State of Iowa and Iowa Parks Foundation’s Parks to People program. The goal of the Parks to People program is to employ public-private partnerships and local planning to connect citizens to nature and improve parks across the state.
In its 27 years, REAP has benefited every county in Iowa by supporting over 15,000 projects. REAP has funded these projects with $250 million in state investments, leveraging two to three times the amount in private, local and federal dollars. Collectively, these projects have improved the quality of life for all Iowans with better soil and water quality; added outdoor recreation opportunities; sustained economic development; enhanced knowledge and understanding of our ecological and environmental assets, and preservation of our cultural and historic treasures.
The REAP program also supported the Grant Wood Mississippi River Region’s “Mississippi Circuit” initiatives by providing $75,000 for an expansion of the Felderman Trail in Bellevue and $140,790 for the expansion of Valentine Park.