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TRESTLE PARK

Milwaukee Trestle Park is located near the historic railroad trestle on the North end of Main Street.  Construction is underway now. The community's intent is to add this park and this historic and unique railroad trestle to its list of tourist attractions—the German Hausbarn, Freedom Rock, Trinity Church, Leet-Hassler Farmstead, city water tower, and historic downtown.  The park will serve as a stopping and resting point to view the trestle and will serve as its own point of attraction with shade, picnic tables, barbeque grills, and activity-oriented amenities.  An “IOWA” sculpture was one of the first items to be placed there and has already become a great photo opportunity.  

ABOUT TRESTLE PARK II FUNDING

With over $500,000 of grant funding and unsolicited private donations, Phase I of Trestle Park is fully funded and construction is underway. 

Manning has been given a unique opportunity to roll right into Phase II with a match donation of $25,000!  What does that mean?  For every dollar raised, it will be matched up to $25,000.  So a large fundraising campaign is underway to make the most of the match donation.

With the money raised between now and October 15th, Manning will apply for another round of Great Places funding.  If successful, that will double the donations again.  

Donate now at Manning City Hall or the Paypal link below to turn your $1 into $2 and possibly $4! 

PHASE I

Picture
 Construction on the first phase of the park is underway.  Phase I included land acquisition (thanks to a donation from Landus Cooperative), dirt work, the IOWA sculpture, a train kiosk (made by IKM-Manning High School), and the trail through the park.  The funding for this $500,000+ phase has been secured through grants and unsolicited donations.

FUNDING PARTNERS SO FAR

DONATIONS:
BNSF Railroad ($1500)
Annonymous ($50,000)
Class of 1997 (bench)
Main Street Manning (outdoor exercise equipment)

IN-KIND:
Landus Cooperative (Land)
IKM-Manning School (building of the Kiosk)
City of Manning (Labor)
Harvey Dales (Land donation for trail)

GRANTS:
Refresh Manning Trust ($500)
Great Places Grant  ($202,540)
Build with Bags Grant ($2000)
Warren H. Timmerman Trust ($60,000)
BNSF Railroad Foundation ($5000)
Carroll Co. Community Foundation Grant ($3000)
Wellmark Foundation Grant ($25,026)
Iowa DNR--REAP Grant ($74,995)

PHASE II

Manning participated in Community Visioning in 2016.  Through many public meetings and volunteer input, extended plans were developed for the Trestle Park--including campgrounds, a nature play area for kids, look-out towers, and more.  Simultaneously, Iowa State University partnered with Manning to provide interactive public art ideas for the park.  And since then, an Outdoor Learning Environment Committee has formed and received a Iowa Living Roadways Trust Fund planning grant.  Those plans have sparked the need to start on Phase II.  As conceptual plans become more final, fundraising has begun with a match donation of $25,000. 
Community Visioning Concepts
Some Visioning ideas include:
  • Hill Slide
  • Climbing Boulders
  • Look-Out Towers
  • Rock Bubbler
  • Sand Volleyball
  • Corn Hole/Bags
  • Imaginative play equipment
  • Paved Trail
Public Interactive Art Concepts
Ideas for public art include:
  • Trestle sculpture monkey-bars
  • Four lit sculptures featuring Iowa's state bird, flower, rock, and tree
  • Large, community fire pit
  • Sculpture seating
  • Icon-inspired bike racks
  • Whistling tree scuplture
Outdoor Learning Concepts
This group is just getting started, but additional ideas so far have included:
  • River access (fishing, kayaking/canoeing)
  • Weather Station
  • Stream Table
  • Amphitheater
  • Butterfly/Pollinator Garden
  • Nature Play

GET ON BOARD WITH TRESTLE PARK! 

Donate at Manning City Hall or through Paypal below.