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.