MASON CITY – City officials want to install playground equipment near the Mason City public pool and MacNider campground, and funds are being raised at this time to get that job done.
According to Recreation Director Brian Pauly, a fundraiser was started in June to raise money towards a playground unit that will go between the pool and the campground. Pauly said that cans are being collected at the campgrounds as well as at Highland Golf Course as part of the fundraiser.
“We have raised about $1,200 so far in donated cans and moneys,” Pauly said today. “Last year, the North Iowa Vocational Center used to collect the cans from Highland and they stop providing that service. Instead of paying one of my three full-time employees [to complete that task], I told my campground hosts (who are leading this fundraiser) to pick the cans up. Each bag is about $4.00 of money in cans which is not worth paying a fulltime city staff to redeem.
“I am thinking around $15k to $20k for a small piece of equipment,” Pauly said of the potential upgrade to the popular campground – pool area. “I will get firm numbers in October in case the Park and Recreation Board would like to help out with [capitol improvement] funds.”
Pauly also said that a lot of campers at MacNider are giving free-will donations “because they are enjoying their experience with camp grounds”, noting how well the campground has been managed over the past two seasons.
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