A $30,000 pledge from the Sunflower Foundation is the first of what organizers hope are several to build a pedestrian bridge across Elm Creek.
The Topeka-based foundation announced in a press release Tuesday it is awarding Iola $30,000 for a “King of Trails Bridge” connector.
With Thrive Allen County spearheading the bridge project, the city would oversee construction and installation of a 150-foot pedestrian truss bridge over the creek from Washington Avenue.
The bridge would provide a direct link from Iola to the Lehigh Portland Trails complex south of the creek.
The bridge also would enable more than 700 Gates Corporation employees to more easily walk or bike to work.
Coupled with a $20,000 commitment from the Kansas Health Foundation’s Community Engagement Initiative, Thrive now has $50,000 in its quiver to seek other grants — many of which require matching funds — explained David Toland, Thrive executive driector.
The truss bridge was projected to cost about $260,000.
“The first grant dollars of any project are always the hardest to get,” Toland said. “This gives us something to work with.”
