Storm Lake volunteers expand projects, aim to boost local vitality
A volunteer Hometown Pride committee in Storm Lake is advancing projects to improve parks, downtown amenities, and family events, with a grant application pending to develop Nature Area trails. The initiatives aim to strengthen civic pride and local economic activity, offering residents ways to get involved through regular meetings and a community survey.
The Storm Lake Hometown Pride Committee is moving several community improvement efforts forward this winter, with an application pending for state recreation funding and new plans for downtown amenities and family programming. The volunteer group meets monthly and is working with the City of Storm Lake and local businesses to coordinate volunteer support for Storm Lake Proud Week and ongoing community events.
Top priorities include a joint effort with the city to apply for Iowa DNR REAP program funding to develop improved access and trails at the Storm Lake Nature Area. That application is pending, and if funded the project could increase recreational use of the lake and adjacent green space, with potential spillover benefits for local retailers and service providers that serve visitors and residents. Committee members are also planning a downtown bench program and public art installations to boost foot traffic and make the city center more inviting.
The committee is active in event level programming as well, hosting summer BINGO at KidsFest and supporting other family events designed to increase local participation and strengthen community ties. These kinds of programming help maintain civic engagement and can reduce public costs by leveraging volunteer labor, while also promoting local spending during events.
Current membership listed by the committee includes Mike Porsch and Elissa Doebel as cochairs, Dana Larsen as secretary, Laura Hanks as treasurer, Lhing Kim, Maria Ramos, Adilene Soto, and coach Carissa Harvey. That core group of eight volunteers is soliciting wider resident input through a survey and invites additional volunteers to attend monthly meetings.
The economic context for such projects is straightforward. Investments in parks and public art tend to raise neighborhood appeal, which can support property values and small business sales over time. Grant funding through programs like REAP can amplify local dollars and accelerate work that otherwise would wait on municipal budgets.
More information, meeting times, and the community survey are available on the City of Storm Lake website at stormlake.org; search for Storm Lake Hometown Pride to find contact details and ways to participate.
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