The steel pig sculpture, installed in November 2021, stands 14 feet tall near the Rosedale Rapids Aquatic Center. But the sculpture itself isn’t the only thing that makes it an attractive site. The greenery that surrounds the pig gives it a nice touch. And it wouldn’t look that way without the volunteer organization called Pride in Community Appearance.

PICA was founded in 2002 by Jan and Phyllis Wilson, of Fort Dodge. Since that time, the group has taken care of landscaping in key public areas throughout Fort Dodge.

“We planted a lot of vegetation and so forth behind the Floyd of Rosedale,” Jan Wilson said. “That took watering all through the summer because it was quite dry.”

PICA typically gets between 18 and 26 volunteers per project. The group works twice a week from April until Nov. 1.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Justin Jensen, of McClure Engineering, wheels over some mulch near the North 12th Street roundabout. Employees of McClure spent a morning in June 2021 helping Pride In Community Appearance.

Dan Lychwick, who has passed away, was honored in the fall of 2021 for his work with PICA. Prior to his death in September 2020, Lychwick spent many years volunteering with PICA, beautifying different areas of Fort Dodge. Lychwick was also a 1968 graduate of St. Edmond Catholic High School.

Even after being diagnosed with lupus in 2010 and heart problems causing difficulties in the final months and weeks of his life, Lychwick enjoyed spending time volunteering with PICA.

In October 2021, two memorial benches were added to St. Edmond. They were donated by PICA.

Duncombe Elementary School was another location that got some attention from PICA in 2021.

“We did get to Duncombe school and kind of reorganized the landscaping a little better, so they could maintain it easier,” Jan Wilson said. “We reduced it down and put in some additional plants from the other side. I think it’s much easier for them to maintain now.”

The return of RAGBRAI in the summer was an event that kept PICA going.

“We were very busy with RAGBRAI coming in,” Phyllis Wilson said. “We had a lot of people helping with that.

“The weeds were dry. We had to go around and try to take care of the weeds. It’s just a big job trying to keep up.”

Elsewhere in town, the group planted flowers on 12th Street. They also planted flowers along the south side of Heartland Communications on First Avenue South.

“That was something I really liked,” Phyllis Wilson said.

Meanwhile, Phyllis Wilson said Fort Frenzy was very giving with some extra plants that they had.

“Many times we try to repurpose plants from one area to another area,” Phyllis Wilson said.

Phyllis Wilson said PICA does a lot of work at Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex during the summer.

“We did a lot of extra work at Harlan Rogers, especially in some of those beds,” she said. “We do that every year prior to the state (softball) tournament.”

“Prior to Shellabration we do the soccer fields over there, the planters along there and so forth,” added Jan Wilson. “We just get that really to look nice. They can see a nice groomed property.”

Landscape work isn’t really work for Jan Wilson.

“Some people may think it’s work,” he said. “But when you’re doing it with other people and enjoy visiting with them and then you look back at what’s been done and you think, ‘Wow, what an improvement.'”

Phyllis Wilson is grateful for the community’s continued support.

“The big thing for me is the support that we feel from the citizens of Fort Dodge,” she said. “The way the community has supported this PICA group just goes on and on. And the friendships we have made with the volunteers in this group. Working together, there is a bond that is built. It’s just unbelievable. It’s just great.”