Snell-Crawford Park has long been one of our town’s most popular and impressive locales for a wide range of recreational pursuits.

During the last year, the park has been reshaped to address serious erosion problems along Soldier Creek. Over the last 80 years, the creek has gradually moved south and eroded a hillside.

Thanks to a $2 million project, the hill has been modified and the creek redirected. The changes are expected to halt damaging erosion and keep the park environmentally stable for years to come.

The city was able to pay for this major conservation effort with about $2.1 million from Iowa’s State Revolving Fund, which finances design and construction of water and wastewater infrastructure. The money came in the form of interest reduction on an earlier loan the city owed for wastewater treatment improvements. Instead of paying back that portion of interest, the city put the roughly $2.1 million toward the project.

The park was closed while the work was under way. The project was overseen by McClure Engineering and Wenck and Associates with Crow River Construction, of New London, Minnesota, serving as contractors.

As of July 1, Snell-Crawford Park was once again open to the public. Some areas will remain closed to vehicles temporarily.

The successful conservation work means that this superb park will remain in top shape to serve the community far into the future.

And there’s more good news. Further improvements to the park are in the works and will make an already outstanding recreational site even better.

The Fort Dodge Noon Rotary Club long ago “adopted” Snell-Crawford Park. It has teamed up with the city and pledged $20,000 for future enhancements. Now that the park’s open, the club and city will evaluate what park improvemnens are needed.

The Messenger commends city officials for finding an innovative way to finance this important conservation project.

We also thank Fort Dodge Noon Rotary for its continued commitment to the park.