Casey Service Club President Stacey Wedemeyer and Vice President Cheinie Case, members of the community and several kids who are enjoying the new improvements.
Special to the Times Vedette
A ribbon cutting was held on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at the Casey City Park (Abram Rutt Park) in recognition of the volunteers, donors and supporters of the Abram Rutt Park Improvement Project.
The project committee was formed by the Casey Grant Committee in collaboration with members from the Casey Service Club, the Casey Historical Society, and the City of Casey. The committee has been working to improve the city park since 2017 and has relied heavily on community input and support to achieve their initiatives.
Project goals reflect results from a community survey that was sent out in 2019 asking residents, friends and neighbors what improvements they would like to see made in the town of Casey. Since that time, the committee has worked to achieve the goals established for the initial phase of the Abram Rutt Park Improvement Project, which included electrical upgrades at all campsites, clearing of dead or dying trees, tiling to assist with drainage, installation of a paved walkway throughout the park, a new basketball hoop, new play equipment, new picnic tables and new trash receptacles. Additional signage and the installation of a water fountain will complete this phase of the project.
The committee is already working to secure funding for phase two, which includes the addition of more lighting throughout the park, upgrades to the bath house and a new park shelter.
With funds secured through grants, fundraisers, private donations and in-kind services, the Casey Grant Committee has successfully raised more than $477,000 for city improvement projects, with more than $307,000 of that funding dedicated to go toward efforts in the park.
For information on volunteering or contributing to the committee’s efforts, contact Stacey Wedemeyer, Casey City Park member. Track progress and watch for updates by joining the Casey Hometown page through Facebook: “Casey, Iowa: This is My Hometown!”
Donor sign of those who donated to the park project.
Members of the Casey Grant Committee including Kacey Peterson, Colleen Conrad, Travis Peterson, Jeff Smith and Stacey Wedemeyer.