(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Board, Monday night, received a report from Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh, with regard to work of the Quality of Life Committee, and based on a number of studies conducted last year, on what residents of the county and beyond, want to see in Cass County, to improve the quality of life here.

The “What people want and Need” study, she said covered several areas, including Physical and Outdoor Recreation. Hoegh said as far as she’s concerned, out of all the studies conducted last year, Mental Health stood out as the most important in the Cass County Community Health Needs Assessment.

She said the needs were ranked by 470 people from across the county, represented by town, income and race, and incorporated an outdoor recreation survey along with COVID-19 Mobile Food registration information. In order of Health Needs priority, was Mental Health. That includes the need to reduce stigma of those with mental health issues, access to care, and programs that address physical health, community building and the impact of isolation on mental health.

Next, was Quality, affordable Childcare, which was described as being a “Vicious cycle” that is not being adequately address, and includes low wage for childcare employees resulting in fewer employees and fewer kids served and no affordable care for low-income families and inconsistent drop-off and pick-up hours. It also suggested potential opportunities exist in school/city/business/employer partnerships.

On the Physical/Outdoor side of the survey, it was noted Cass County needs more and better ADA compliant sidewalks, trail connectivity (Including the connection of the T-Bone Trail to Atlantic), and more water trails instead of ATV Trails. Another area that stood out in the Quality of Life survey, was Substance Misuse and Addition, which is said to be widespread in Cass County, and the need for better nutrition through fresh fruits and vegetables from community gardens, and access to those types of foods.

(She suggested people rent one of the raised garden beds at Mollett Park and grow food for the those in the community who might not otherwise be able to afford it.)

As we mentioned following Monday night’s Park and Rec Board meeting, the Board approved a contribution of $4,000 toward the $12,000 cost of a study designed to move forward on getting a Splash Pad at the Sunnyside Pool and other renovations/remodeling at the pool. Those items were high on the Physical/Outdoor Recreation priority list. To that end, and in other recreation news, Atlantic Parks & Rec Director Bryant Rasmussen, Monday, said plans are in the works to bring sand volleyball to Atlantic.

An area just north of the Schildberg Rec Campground is being looked at as a possible location for those courts. Much needs to be done though before resources are committed to the project. Bryant says if the courts become a reality, there is the potential to bring in some high profile competitors from Omaha and Des Moines, as part of their traveling circuit.

Separately, there is the potential for expansion of the Little League/Soccer Comples across from the KJAN Studios.