Bringing 'Parks to People' to the Web

28 Nov 2016

Parks to People, Grant Wood Loop, Quality of Life

Grant Wood Mississippi River Region (GWMRR) announced a commitment of funds to develop a website highlighting arts, cultural, and recreation. The Regional Planning Affiliation 8 (RPA 8) awarded $20,000 to the region for the development of an Interactive Trail Website for the GWMRR (Dubuque, Jones, and Jackson Counties) as well as partnering Counties, Clinton and Delaware. Iowa Tourism, Jackson County Tourism, Jones County Tourism and the Dubuque Conventions and Visitor’s Bureau have also contributed a combined $10,000 for the website promotion and development. The website, GWLoop.com, will feature a first-of-its-kind, interactive trail map for the region.

Daryl Parker, Jackson County Conservation Director and Grant Wood Mississippi River Region Chair stated, “I am excited to see this kind of collaboration on a regional level, and the RPA 8 has been a great partner. This partnership is creating an innovative new tool that everyone will benefit from.”

The Parks to People pilot project is a State initiative to create a regional arts, cultural and recreational destination that utilizes the State of Iowa’s investment of $1.9 million to leverage private investment. Over the last year the Jackson, Jones and Dubuque County stakeholders have worked to develop a 2-year plan to enhance, promote and sustain the regions assets. This plan, approved in December 2015 by the Iowa Parks Foundation, outlines up to $21 million of enhancements for the region’s parks, recreation and natural spaces.

GWLoop.com is a user-driven website highlighting the regions assets. It will allow users from the region, as well as tourists to the area, to build personal itineraries based on their interests. Whether planning a day trip with the family, or a weekend of camping and fishing, this website will highlight the great recreation, arts, and cultural offerings the Grant Wood Mississippi Region has to offer.

For a video preview of the website or for more information on this initiative, look for the Grant Wood Loop on Facebook (www.facebook.com/GWMRR), or contact the Jackson County Economic Alliance: heiar@thejcea.org, (563) 652-4549.

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