The City of Prairie City has been awarded a grant of $54,801 from Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP).
REAP invests in projects that enhance and protect Iowa’s natural and cultural resources. Fifteen percent of REAP is set aside for grants to cities. Twenty percent is set aside for county conservation boards for projects that help establish natural areas, encourage outdoor recreation and resource management.
The grant money will be used for the Red Rock Prairie Trail project. The first segment of the trail will extend from the trailhead in Monroe to the trailhead in the entryway park area in Prairie City and on further to the entrance of the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. This funding will be used toward the construction of the portion of the trail located within the city limits of Prairie City. Work on the trail is planned to begin in 2019.
This project will benefit the community by providing a safe route through Prairie City, to the trailhead at our entryway park on the west end of town and will connect to the existing trail leading to the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. It will also complement the existing Plainsman Trail that leads through the city’s recreational park to the school, allowing bicyclists and walkers of all ages safe access to many of the important aspects of the community.
The project to construct the Red Rock Prairie Trail has been the top priority of the Monroe and Prairie City Hometown Pride Committees for the past three years. The committees have combined efforts with the Jasper County Conservation Board and have successfully secured $1.75 million in grant funds and local support for the $2.1 million project.
In its 29 years, REAP has benefited every county in Iowa by supporting more than 15,500 projects. REAP has funded these projects with $280 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.
REAP has benefitted this area greatly more than 29 years. Prairie City was very fortunate to receive a $75,000 REAP grant in 2016, that was used to acquire the trail right-of-way from the railroad.