Lake MacBride Receives Grant, Hoping for More

SOLON- Lake MacBride received a 10,000 dollar grant from Coca-Cola. The grant is part of the Coca-Cola's America is your Park campaign.

The 10,000 dollars will help the park install recycled padding that will go around the playgrounds and panels about good nutrition and a active lifestyle. 

"The state puts significant resources into it but with the budget constraints that we have we're really looking to also get private sector support as well and that's why this contribution from Coke-Cola is very meaningful," said Iowa Governor Terry Branstad.

Today's check was brought in by the Solon high school cross country team who ran with the check. It was then presented by Governor Branstad and other local ellected officials.

The grant is designed to provide families with ways to get active outdoors.

"We have a real challenge with obesity among our young people today.  We want to really reverse that trend and to be able to encourage young people not only to be physically active but also to choose wisely what they eat," said Branstad.

Lake MacBride is hoping for ten times that amount come September.

The state park is up against state parks from around the nation competing for 100,000 dollars. To vote for Lake MacBride, go to http://livepositively.com and click on the vote for your park tab.  Then search for Lake MacBride and click on the map icon and then click on vote for this park. 

Voting ends on September 6th.  Parks receive extra votes by uploading photos and video to the website or through the livepositively facebook page.

"Our goal is that if every Iowan votes at least once there's a good chance that we'll be right in the hunt," said Iowa State Parks Bureau Chief Kevin Szcodronski.