Coon Rapids- Whiterock Great Place History

On October 3d Coon Rapids - Whiterock was selected as one of Iowa’s three great place pilots. This page explains the program, and the selection and negotiation process. More information can be obtained from Great Places web site from which this information was extracted.

What is Great Places?
Great Places is a Vilsack-Pederson Administration initiative designed to promote bold thought, innovation and entrepreneurship to cultivate the unique and authentic qualities that make places in Iowa so special. The initiative turns the state into a new kind of partner with Iowans—demystifying government, combining resources for impact and delivering results.

Clinton, Coon Rapids and Sioux City were named pilot places by the Great Places Citizen Advisory Board today (October 3, 2005) at the State Historical Building. From a Department of Cultural Affairs news release announcing the three pilot projects – The state will negotiate partnership agreements with the three pilot places to help them achieve their Great Places visions by targeting existing state resources and programs for maximum impact and results.

“In this first year of the Great Places program, we brought about 20 different state agencies and the people of Iowa together to redefine the way we work with each other,” Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Director Anita Walker said. “As we moved forward, we understood this process would be a learning laboratory, and that’s just what it was. We learned we have a lot to be proud of — our cultural attractions, historic preservation projects and natural habitat make our state a great place to live, work and play. We also learned about the process and what worked well and what areas need attention. As we move forward, we’ll examine those areas and make adjustments accordingly.”

In making its decision, the board examined the criteria each offer was asked to address: a unique sense of place; engaging experiences, a rich, diverse social fabric; a vital, creative economy; a pleasing environment; a strong foundation; and a creative culture. The board also looked at each offer’s level of readiness to move forward with implementing their offers.

“We have some wonderful communities, and we were ready to identify the ones ready to negotiate with the state right now,” Great Places Citizen Advisory Board Chair Bill Menner of Grinnell said. The Coon Rapids offer encompasses a number of features found in its natural environment, including a 4,300 Whiterock Conservancy that stretches through eight miles of pasture, timber, prairie and wetlands and offers hiking, fishing, bird watching, trail riding, canoeing and other outdoor activities.