On March 20, over 90 acres of land will be transferred over to the city of Kalona with plans to develop a recreation area.

The area, located near the Southtown subdivision in Kalona already includes some nature trails, but City Administrator, Ryan Schlabaugh, tells KCII the city’s vision once they gain ownership of the land. “The ultimate goal is to have a wonderful city park, in addition to the current city park that we have, with some different opportunities with recreational amenities whether they be trails, ponds, splash pad, dog park, disc golf, all of those things that are coming along with it.”

Funding a project like this is no easy feat, with costs approximated at $3.15 million. With the city planning to use the local option sales tax once the library debt is paid off, multiple grants are being explored as well.

When it comes to the nature and wildlife aspects of the land, Schlabaugh was insistent that the city, in partnership with Washington County Conservation, intends to keep it largely intact. “We don’t want to come in and just hardscape everything and take away from the natural aesthetics that it already offers,” he said.

While spring grant applications play a big role in the timetable for the project, Schlabaugh says that the best-case scenario is to begin work later this spring.