BY CINDY TOOPES COURIER STAFF WRITER
August 06, 2008 10:07 pm
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OTTUMWA — Kids and trails. They go hand in hand and both got the Ottumwa City Council’s approval for grant applications.
Council members particularly enjoyed the part about “no matching funds are required from the city” for either project.
Parks and Recreation Director Gene Rathje presented both Resource Enhancement and Protection applications to the council this week.
Rathje said the Wapello County Trails Council is applying for $150,000 for Phase Two of a four-part project to complete an eight-mile loop trail system. The overall project cost is estimated to be $1 million.
“This grant will complete a one-mile section along the existing north levee of the Des Moines River from Iowa Avenue east to the city limits,” Rathje said.
Councilman Gordon Aistrope thanked the trails council and the media for the annual trails fund drive.
“There’s no city requirement for funds. We do appreciate the media effort,” he said.
Mayor Dale Uehling said the city tries to attract younger people and “trails are important.”
“It’s a quality of life issue,” Councilman Keith Caviness said.
Citizen Nancy McGee of Ottumwa asked to speak on the trails item. She wondered if anyone had checked to see if the trails had any effect on the eagles that visit Ottumwa during winter.
The mayor said he was “no authority” but he believed the trails haven’t impacted the eagles. The eagles fish below the dam and don’t seem bothered by people on the trails.
“The eagles want a secluded area when they nest,” Uehling added.
McGee wondered if there would be a lot of people at the rest areas.
Uehling and Rathje said there are future plans for more rest areas so everyone isn’t at the same one at the same time. Ottumwa Rotary Club has already put in park benches along the city’s trails, Uehling added.
Public Works Director Larry Seals said Winger’s built a rest area that has a water fountain and is lighted.
The Kids First REAP grant application is for $125,000 to build a picnic shelter and restrooms in Sycamore Park and near The Beach Ottumwa.
The shelter will house 25 picnic tables and encourage people to use the area as a gathering place. Also, the shelter is close to part of the trail system, the playground, soccer fields and a water park.
“The playground equipment is high-quality stuff and this next grant has been well done,” Rathje said.
Aistrope said “it’s an additional bonus” to have the trails go by the Beach Ottumwa.
Caviness wondered if the proposed shelter would be lighted.
Rathje passed the question to Lori Zingg, Kids First president and grant writer. Zingg said there would be electricity available at the shelter but no lighting has been planned.
Zingg asked if any of the city’s park shelters are lighted.
Uehling said he thought the Jimmy Jones Shelter in Ottumwa Park is the only lighted one.
Caviness asked if the picnic tables were movable.
Zingg said tables could be moved in and out.
“We have no plan to permanently mount them [in the shelter],” she added.
Aistrope thanked “the entire organization” for a “wonderful contribution” to the community.
“It’s been a real group effort in the community and county,” Zingg said.
Cindy Toopes can be reached at (641) 683-5376 or via e-mail at cindy@ottumwacourier.com.
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