The communities of Algona, Manson and Pocahontas will soon offer people additional options for getting outside and being active.

All three communities are working on significant park and trail projects. Grants from the Wellmark Foundation are helping to make these efforts possible.

Algona received $100,000 from the foundation for its Central Park Redevelopment Project. The plan for that park includes reconstructing the skateboard area and basketball court, putting up fences around the tennis courts, plus adding more open green space, lighting and sidewalks.

In Manson, two youth baseball fields and two youth soccer fields are being created near the Manson Area Community Center. The new Youth Cougar Club, the Manson Northwest Webster Community School District and the city government are collaborating on this project. The community received a $25,000 grant.

And in Pocahontas, the Chamber of Commerce, Hometown Pride Committee and the city government are teaming up on a trails project. The planned trail extension will connect Elbert, Princess and Rosenberger parks. The community received a $25,000 grant to help finance that project.

It is great to see these kinds of projects happening. They will provide new outdoor recreation options for the people that live in those cities and might even prompt some folks from other places to stop by as well.

The teamwork demonstrated by the various community groups that are coming together to make these projects a reality is setting an example for places across the state and the nation.

Iowa is fortunate to have the Wellmark Foundation awarding grants that help to make these initiatives possible.