One of the planned projects for park upgrades in Belle Plaine got a financial shot in the arm this week when the Belle Plaine Partners for Beautification received a $3,000 grant from the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP). The money is part of $85,000 in federal stimulus funds that the agency recently received.
Heather Harney, HACAP representative, presented the check to the committee during its meeting Wednesday night.
Vicki Schwab, co-chair of the beautification committee, said the money will go toward landscaping projects near the playground area at Franklin Park, attempting to enhance accessibility, safety and visual aspects of the area.
Although the area is still in deep snow cover, the committee has some projects in the works for this year and beyond. These include new entrance signs and plantings on the west and north sides of the city. A couple of the long-range plans in the works include development of a trail and safe walking system around the city and the development of Beautiful Plaines Park, which would be an educational prairie park exhibiting the area’s natural grasses and vegetation.
Some of the projects completed by the group recently have included plantings on the east and west entrances to the city, plantings at the museum and plantings and assisting in the construction of a bridge at Box Park. Money was also raised to pay for winter wrap around the young trees the group planted.
One of the other ongoing projects of committee members is the maintenance of the flower beds at Box Memorial Park. Schwab said the group is asking anyone with spare tools, such as rakes, hoes, shovels or wheelbarrows that they no longer need consider donating them to Belle Plaine Partners for Beautification. Currently, committee members carry the tools they need to the park each time. But with the construction of the new shelter house and restroom facility, there is also a storage room that they hope can be used for the gardening tools.
Anyone who has tools to donate can take them to parks and recreation director Joel Formanek at City Hall.
The group also welcomes new committee members and volunteers. The committee meets the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Belle Plaine Community Center. If you would like more information, have any ideas for beautification projects or would like to volunteer, contact co-chairs Dick Wells, 434-3066 or Vicki Schwab, 444-2086.

Heather Harney, HACAP representative, presented a $3,000 check to Belle Plaine

Partners for Beautification committee members Nate Moore, left and Bob Ulch at

the committee meeting Wednesday night.