The Story Lake City Council held a special meeting Monday evening to approve a resolution supporting a REAP grant application—an important step toward developing the proposed Storm Lake Nature Area.
The Resource Enhancement and Protection City Parks and Open Spaces grant would provide $125,000 to help fund Phase 1 of the project, which includes prairie restoration, trail construction, and basic infrastructure like an entrance road and parking lot.
City of Storm Lake Communications Director Dana Larsen explained the significance of the grant.
The site plans show Phase 1 improvements will include an aggregate hiking trail, access drive, and parking lot—located west of the Storm Lake Golf Course and Sunrise Park Campgrounds. Future phases could add amenities like a dog park, nature play areas, and wetland restoration.
Larsen described the initial work.
The application was assembled quickly with help from Bolton & Menk, Inc. of Jefferson, the Storm Lake Hometown Pride Committee, and the Buena Vista County Resource Enhancement and Protection Committee.
Larsen reassured council members that they were not making any financial obligation toward the project on Monday.
The resolution passed unanimously.
