Osceola Iowa May receives contribution for Safe Routes to School Program

CCDC’s Bill Trickey and Osceola Mayor Thomas Kedley – August 1 City Council Meeting

As we look at the start date for school creeping ever-closer, we’re pleased to report that Osceola’s Safe Routes to School program — the sidewalk improvement initiative launched in 2015 by Clarke Community Schools, Clarke County Hospital, The City, and Clarke County Development Corporation — received a nice boost recently.  Bill Trickey, Executive Director of the Clarke County Development Corporation, presented the Osceola City Council with a check in the amount of  $56,250 at the August 1st city council meeting. This is the second check CCDC has written the City for the Safe Routes to School project.

Second phase updates to the routes have kicked off around the city, thanks to funding from the second of two grants from Wellmark for $75,000. The CCDC contribution further continues expansion by making the six-foot wide walkways possible and providing much-needed updates to paths and connections where sidewalks didn’t exist before. The sidewalks should be installed and ready for the kids to make their way to school by the 23rd of August.

These grants from Wellmark and other supporters give Osceola the opportunity to create a clean and safe environment for our children as well as help Osceola focus on exercise and fitness opportunities,” says Bill Trickey of CCDC.

Osceola safe routes to school program

Just part of the latest Safe Routes to School updates leading toward the Elementary School.

The Development Corporation’s August 1st contribution brings the total of their financial commitment to the program to $112,500. Along with the Safe Routes to School Program, the CCDC has also contributed $58,500 to the Q-Pond Trail Project, making its total contribution to the Trails Sidewalk effort $171,000 to date.

Below is a full map of the Safe Routes to School Program. Click to view full-screen.

Osceola map with sidewalk program safe routes q-pond

Click to view larger image.

For more information on the Safe Routes to School program or any of the other programs supported by The Clarke County Development Corporation, contact Bill Trickey or Liz Simpson at 641-342-2944 or email: [email protected]