Iowa City Council OK’s $300,000 loan to park fundraising campaign

IOWA CITY – The City Council agreed unanimously Tuesday night to loan $300,000 to the fundraising effort for a new park.

The money will be used to access a $1.6 million Vision Iowa grant for the 207-acre Terry Trueblood Recreation Area on the city's south side. The grant came with the condition that an additional $400,000 be raised by May 12, but only $100,000 has come in.

Mike Moran, the city's parks and recreation director, said he's confident the Parks and Recreation Foundation, which is leading the fundraising campaign, will bring in the rest of the money in about two months.

The $1.6 million is to go toward the construction of a lodge with a capacity of 150 people that could be used for weddings and receptions, conferences and educational opportunities.