September 6, 2018
Des Moines, IA — The Wellmark Foundation awarded Herreid Area Housing Development Inc. a $25,000 Matching Assets to Community Health (MATCH) grant for improvements in Karl Deibert City Park. Organizations were able to request up to $100,000 in grant funding. To ensure community support for the grant project, Herreid Area Housing Development was challenged to match this grant amount dollar-for-dollar.
The grant helped to complete the playground at the park. New playground equipment including a Powerscape that has various parts for kids of all ages to enjoy. The newly installed pieces include — a sky rider, sitting seesaws, jumbo flyer, numerous animal springers, Prime Time Swings and a stacked honeycomb climbing apparatus. New benches and picnic tables have been added to create an inviting area for the public to gather. This project promotes Herreid's efforts to be a family-friendly community and enhances the quality of life for residents and visitors.
"The Wellmark Foundation is proud to assist the Herreid Area Housing Development in their efforts to improve Karl Deibert City Park," said Becky Wampler, The Wellmark Foundation executive director. "The upgrades to the park will allow all residents the opportunity to enjoy nature, share with family and friends and by physically active."
The Wellmark Foundation received a total of 87 applications across Iowa and South Dakota. Herreid Area Housing Development was one of 13 Large MATCH grant recipients across both states. Each of the grant recipients submitted projects that can help individuals, families and communities achieve better health through safe and healthy environments that encourage physical activity and access to and consumption of nutritious foods.
Since 2011, The Wellmark Foundation has provided more than $9 million in grant funding to communities across Iowa and South Dakota. The 2019 grant opportunities will be posted in late December.
