The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department’s Board of Directors, Monday, approved a request by Parks and Rec Director Seth Staashelm, to apply for a Water Quality Initiative/Urban Conservation Project grant. Staashelm said he was informed of the grant availability by City Administrator John Lund, and it would be a 50-percent match in order to obtain the full grant amount.

A preliminary design/layout for the Urban Conservation Project grant

One of the projects he’s considering if the grant application is approved, is public gardens planning for the Nishna Park near the Atlantic High School, in cooperation with ISU Extension. The project would require installing two Bio-swales and native plants to help absorb water that ponds in the area and improve storm water run-off along with water quality. Natural Bio-retention filters and rain gardens would be included as part of the project.

The cost estimate for the entire project, ranges from 30-to 35-thousand dollars, minus any plantings that occur and any action taken by the School District to do their part, if they approve. With in-kind labor and other financial juggling, the City’s matching share of the cost could be lowered to 10-to 15-thousand dollars.

City Administrator John Lund said to Staashelm it would be possible to transfer $10,000 out of the Storm Water Fund into the Local Option Sales Tax Fund (LOST) for the project. Therefore if it comes to more than $30,000, some funds would be derived from the LOST account.

Parks & Rec Chairperson Stuart Dusenberry accepts a $500 check from Royal Neighbors member/Parks Board Secretary Jolene Smith for use at the Schildberg Shelter project. (Left to right: Seth Staashelm; Dusenberry; Smith; Board Mbrs. Charlene Beane and Erin McFadden.

In other other business, the Parks and Rec Department accepted a $500 check from Atlantic Royal Neighbors. Jolene Smith, Parks and Rec Board and Royal Neighbors member, explained where the funds are coming from. Last summer, she said, they held a “Difference Maker” out at Sunnyside Park, where they served hot dogs and chips while “Movies in the Park” was underway. Different Royal Neighbor Chapters get to vote on the projects, which are then put into a drawing. The Atlantic Royal Neighbors won a $500 donation check payable to the Schildberg Recreation Area. They would like it to go for picnic tables in the shelter at the Schildberg Rec Area that’s being built this summer.

And, finally, Seth Staashelm said the ice rink opened last week and will remain open while the temperatures allow. Sunnyside Park is open for all winter activities, even Disc Golf, but the roads into and out of the park are closed for the season. The Parks Board will meet next on February 12th and March 12th.