Village preparing recreation plan

IOLA - The Village of Iola is in the process of preparing an Outdoor Recreation Plan (ORP) that will guide future park and recreation projects and help the community qualify for grant funding.

The effort began in December, when chairs of the Parks Committee and Revitalization Committee decided to combine and create a joint Revitalization & Park Committee to develop the plan. The joint committee held meetings Jan. 20 and Feb. 24 to continue planning.

The planning effort is part of a broader regional and state process. The East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (ECWRPC) assists communities in developing comprehensive ORPs, which are typically updated every five years.

The plans inventory existing parks and facilities, identify recreation needs and establish priorities for future improvements. They are required for municipalities to qualify for many state and federal funding programs administered through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

According to the ECWRPC website, the goal of the program is to ensure communities provide adequate parks, trails and open space, while preserving natural resources important to the region’s environmental and economic health.

The plan also helps guide local budgeting decisions by identifying which park and recreation projects should be prioritized over the next five years.
Inclusion in the ORP does not guarantee a project will be completed, according to committee meeting minutes, but it is required for the village to qualify for certain grants. If a project is not listed in the plan, the village cannot apply for funding for it.

The committees compiled and compared two separate lists: a top five list of smaller projects that could be completed while the ORP is being prepared, and a top five list of larger projects to pursue after the plan is finalized.
Fundraising strategies were also discussed at the meetings, including the possibility of working at the Iola Car Show to generate revenue for future projects.

Revitalization Committee member Joe Opperman, who is executive director of the Iola Car Show, began circulating an unofficial survey last week to gather feedback from residents about which projects should be included in the ORP.

Among the projects listed are ATV trails, a kayak launch, murals, a splash pad, holiday lights around town, livestream cameras, farmers market, an amphitheater, an ice skating rink and various improvements to Taylor Field.

Opperman noted that some proposals, such as a kayak launch, may be relatively inexpensive and easier to fund. A splash pad, which has been a frequent topic on social media, would be more costly.

“This is an example of a very expensive project that would require serious fundraising efforts, and I’m curious if there truly is strong public support for something like this, or if it’s just an idea suggested here and there,” Opperman wrote.

Comments on Opperman’s post in an Iola-Scandinavia Facebook group were critical of the splash pad. Suggestions included more frequent farmers markets, a fall car show at Schmidt’s Corners, a flea market and a disc golf course.