Extension Communications
Extension 4-H Youth Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3630
(515) 294-9915
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Extension Communications |
11/10/04
Release: Immediate
Contacts:
Florine Swanson, Iowa 4-H Foundation, 515-294-1552, fswanson@iastate.edu
Carol Ouverson, Continuing Education and Communication Services, 515-294-9640,
couverso@iastate.edu
Washboard Avenue Becomes a Peach
MADRID, Iowa -- It's a ribbon of road gently curving its way between Highway E57 and two of the most beautiful spots in Boone County.
Once a dusty washboard avenue with abrupt corners, Peach Avenue now winds in smooth black curves to the Iowa Arboretum and the Iowa 4-H Center.
"This road has been a dream for many decades," said Rae von Holdt of the Iowa Arboretum. "We are so pleased to have it."
The long anticipated transformation of Peach Avenue came about because both the arboretum and 4-H boards approved pledges to support the project. This commitment became part of the match offered by Boone County in an application for state funds.
"This is a unique cooperative effort of state, county and private funding," Florine Swanson, executive director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation, said.
Boone County Supervisor Dave Reed said funding for the road came from the Iowa Arboretum ($100,000), the Iowa 4-H Foundation ($100,000) and the county, which obtained Revitalize Iowa's Sound Economy (RISE) funding. RISE was created in 1985 by the Iowa General Assembly to promote economic development through assisting community efforts to construct or improve roads and streets.
Reed also pointed out the "cooperation between state and county and with 4-H and the arboretum."
"The economic impact of that road will be great," Reed said. "Both the arboretum and camp will be able to draw more people because of the road. It is safer, and buses will be able to drive out there."
Swanson said the road "makes a gentle transition from the busy work world to the tranquility of trees, rolling meadows, gazebos and campfires. It's great to have a road that will carry wedding parties, business guests, children and families out here without the usual layer of dust or mud."
Year round accessibility will increase the number of people coming to the arboretum, von Holdt said. "Guests and volunteers will feel more secure driving here in the wintertime."
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Editors: A color photo, suitable for publication, is available at right. Click on the thumbnail photo to go to the fullsized photo. The fullsize photo is 364K. Caption: Cutting the ribbon for the newly improved Peach Avenue are officials from the Iowa DOT, Iowa 4-H, Iowa Arboretum, and Boone County. |
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