(Arnolds Park)– The relatively mild winter weather has allowed crews to make progress on construction of a boardwalk along the waterfront at the Arnolds Park Amusement Park. Michele Goodenow, Executive Director of Imagine Iowa Great Lakes tells KUOO news work has been progressing now that repairs to the adjoining seawall have been completed. The boardwalk will be accessible during the upcoming Winter Games. She says a major revamping of the State Pier is also a part of the project…
“There will be a new railing with LED lighting, a fountain with three sailboats, new concrete benches and plantings, and Captain Steve Kennedy’s sculpture will remain in the same area it is today, so. In addition, all of the donor pavers that were initially purchased for Save The Park, have been removed; they’re in a safe place. They’ll be returned to the owners and new granite pavers with the same names will be reinstalled.”
Goodenow says the State Pier renovation is scheduled for completion this coming July 4th.
Goodenow also gave an update on some of the other projects Imagine Iowa Great Lakes currently has underway, including the one at Claire Wilson park, or the grade between East and West Lakes Okoboji…
“That parking lot has been poured and it is now reopened in anticipation for the, there will be new trees planted and park benches and it will be a lovely spot once it’s complete in the spring, and the target date for completion on that is May 1st. And we also have been working with the city of Okoboji and the Iowa DNR on the, we’re calling it East Lake Park, which is the public access point across from the Kum ‘n Go on Highway 71 in the heart of Okoboji, and again that will be a park where people can enjoy the great outdoors. There will be some play equipment for children, it will still be a public access area for boaters. But again there will be a water fountain, bike racks, park benches, things like that. And then the Nature Center Connection which is further north over by Rababs, about 60 percent of the plantings were completed this fall and the remainder will be done in the spring.”
Goodenow adds the Imagine Iowa Great Lakes Board of Directors is working with cities in the corridor to identify future projects.
