The Cherokee Trail Committee is excited to announce that the City of Cherokee has been awarded a grant of $100,000 for the Trail Expansion Project from Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP).

Jason Cook, Chairman of the Trail Committee, said “REAP grants are very competitive across the State of Iowa and for Cherokee to be awarded the maximum grant on our first request is phenomenal! This is a great boost to our community’s fundraising efforts for the trail expansion.”

REAP, under the auspices of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), invests in projects that enhance and protect the Iowa’s natural and cultural resources. A designated 15% of REAP is set aside for grants to cities, and 20% is set aside for county conservation boards for projects that help establish natural areas, encourage outdoor recreation and resource management.

The grant money will be used entirely for Cherokee’s acquisition of the 50-acre parcel of land located on the northeast side of town (referred to as Magnetic Park). This land was initially purchased by Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation in late 2017 for $250,000. Magnetic Park will ultimately be owned by the City of Cherokee when sufficient funds have been raised to acquire the property. The Trail Committee is expecting to complete the first phase of this project (land acquisition) in 2019 and then begin fundraising for trail development.