For several years, the Friends of Lake Darling have been wanting to have a 150-foot over-arching pedestrian footbridge constructed on the south side of the lake, and thanks to a large donation, the project will soon be under way. Jerry B. Robinson, who is originally from Richland, has agreed to donate $50,000 every six months, up to a maximum of $200,000 for the bridge project. Robinson has provided donations several times in the past, including for the lodge and four-season cabin projects. Park Ranger Zach Haworth explains, “The bridge has been in the planning phase, and obviously is talked about. This donor stepped forward and asked the Friends (of Lake Darling) group what projects were on the horizon, and this one is the one they told him about. He thought it was a great idea, and has very graciously decided to step forward and provide a significant chunk of the funding that will go toward the completion of the bridge.”

The next step in the project is to bring in engineers to design the bridge, and then they will have a more definitive time table and cost estimate. According to Haworth, the bridge will increase the overall connectivity of the trail system at the park, and allow for more convenient access for handicapped people. For more information about the Lake Darling foot bridge, listen to the In Touch with Southeast Iowa interview with Haworth at KCIIRadio.com.