Family park, playground in Amana seeks donor support

AMANA — The Amana Colonies Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACCVB) has announced a partnership among several local nonprofits to build a family park in the main village of Amana. The proposed park is an effort to expand upon the Colonies’ family-friendly appeal. The intended location is the empty lot east of Price Creek Event Center on 220th Trail. Organizers hope to have it open to the public in 2024.

The ACCVB is spearheading the project with assistance from the Iowa County Community Development group, Historic Sites Foundation, Amana Heritage Society, and with support from the Amana Society, Inc. Their collective efforts hope to establish a full-service park featuring a custom playground, off-leash dog park and more. The group is working with Themed Concepts of Minnesota to design playground equipment that captures the history, architecture, and agricultural roots of the Amana Colonies.

The educational and entertainment-based playground will feature a barnlike structure and faux water wheel as a nod to the wool and grain mills that sustained the Colonies during communal times. A grape trellis climber, produce steppingstones, and treelike swing sets will also be incorporated and pay homage to the agricultural industries that still thrive in the Colonies today.

“The park and playground will be an amazing addition to our community. Many generations have been awe-struck by the beauty of the Colonies, and we hope this’ll be one more reason to love being here,” said ACCVB Executive Director Stacey Colledge.

Colledge says the project will be funded by donations, grants, and fundraisers. The playground equipment alone is approximately $85,000 and organizers hope to raise enough to incorporate more amenities. These include parking, an off-leash dog park, picnic tables and benches. The whole project with engineering, installation and other features is estimated to cost $291,950.

Colledge encourages individuals in the community and businesses to donate to the project. For more information on the project, updates, and ways to donate, the ACCVB has set up a Facebook page www.facebook.com/AmanaColoniesPlayground. Additional information can also be obtained by contacting the Amana Colonies Visitors Center at (319) 622-7622.