Community News

Area Parks Offer Fun for the Entire Family

Our tri-city community is lucky to have so many parks to visit that have a variety of fun activities, and you don't have to travel fair to enjoy them!

The Cedar Rapids parks include:

  • Noelridge - Swimming Pools, Splash Pad, Pavilions, Trail, Playgrounds
  • Bever - Old MacDonald's Farm
  • Jones - Swimming Pool, Playground, Disc Golf, Pavilions
  • Ellis - Pavilions, Swimming Pool, Volleyball, Tennis, Playground
  • Cherry Hill - Swimming Pool, Playground, Trail, ball diamonds
  • Cleveland - Splash pad, Playground and Pavilion
  • Jacolyn - Splash pad and playground
  • Cedar Valley
  • Twin Pines - Plash Pad and Playground
  • And many more!

Hiawatha has three parks:

  • Fay Clark - Trail, Disc Golf, Playground
  • Tucker - Trail, Splash Pad, Pavilion, Playground
  • Guthridge - Splash Pad, Pavilions, Playgrounds, Trail

And Marion has six large parks and many smaller parks:

Willowood - Swimming Pool, Splash Pad, Pavilions, and Playgrounds

Thomas - Splash Pad, Playgrounds, Trail

Hanna - Pavilions, Playgrounds

Lowe - Center, Trail, Playground

Peg Pierce - Ball Diamonds

Tauber - Playground 

Waldo's Rock - Trail, Pond, Shelter

 

Olivet Mission Is Closing

     A NW Cedar Rapids center vital to the community will soon be closing. According to KCRG News, The Olivet Mission 10th Street NW announced they will cease operations, though they did not give a specific date. 

     The article stated that according to Olivet Presbyterian Church, which owns the building where the mission operates, "the mission’s effort to offer clothes, food, and other assistance to those in need, has become too much for them to handle due to the increase in the amount of people that rely on its services."

     Many people depend on the mission for food and clothing and will be missed, according to several community members. "I wanted to cry," said one supporter of the mission. "There is such a need in our community. It's sad to think it will soon be gone. 

     One nonprofit in the community said they hope to be able to help in the gap the mission will leave when it closes, and added that they also have faith that the community will step up and do more about the growing problem our community is facing because of rising food, clothing, and housing costs. 

Willis Dady Homeless Services Opens New Supportive Housing Apartments

     Willis Dady Homeless Services celebrated the completion of the Chandler Pump Building, 13-unit apartments that will help homeless individuals find some stability in their lives.

     Although it took more than four years to complete, the units in the Chandler Pump building at 707 B Avenue NW are now ready for tenants. Each room in the building is unique, with furniture donated by Central Furniture Rescue. Criteria for the applicants state that they must have been homeless previously and have income less than 80% of the poverty level. The rent is then calculated by their current income. 

     A ribbon-cutting event was held Jan. 25, 2024, to celebrate the completion of the building. Tours of the building were given, followed by the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which was attended by several city leaders, including Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell. 

     The derecho that hit our community, Aug. 8, 2020, destroyed the top half of the building, which derailed the current plan for the building. Board members and the original planning committee had to decide to keep the building with only one floor and proceeded to call in experts to help them design and remodel the building. 

     Founded by J.A. Chandler in 1890, the Chandler Pump Company was among the most significant manufacturers in Cedar Rapids, with its Chandler Iron Pump water pump used on farms and homes for cisterns. The apartments will provide Willis Dady clients with "a safe and affordable place to live, and the case manager will provide one-on-one support to address barriers and build the foundation for long-term stability."

     Waypoint Services will soon follow suit. According to sources, Waypoint wants to make their now-closed shelter into six to eight apartments. They are collaborating with architects on what a floor plan might look like, deciding how much rent would be, and how many people they would be capable of helping. A timeline for the work has not yet been established.

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