Canney supported environment, outdoor recreation

Recent accolades about the civic accomplishments of (former mayor) Don Canney have omitted his outstanding support of parks, trees, flood prevention and the encouragement of outdoor recreation.

He envisioned eventual construction of houses and businesses in the flood plain east of town and supported the purchase and protection of about 1,000 acres of this land in the late 1960s. It has been inundated many times since and because no construction took place, there has been no structural damage.

Don supported the establishment of Iowa's first national recreation trail, the Sac and Fox, on the greenbelt and the creation of Iowa's first nature center, Indian Creek. He encouraged the creation of many neighborhood parks, aggressive tree planting and involving people in outdoor recreation.

Don personally loved angling and took great pleasure seeing young people enjoy nature.

I support naming the greenbelt in honor of this visionary civic leader.

Rich Patterson

Director,

Indian Creek Nature Center

Cedar Rapids