SE*ED: Behrens to Share City Park Update at SEED

The roar of construction has begun in Grinnell. Join Russ Behrens, Grinnell city manager, at the Monday, April 25, Senior Education Program to learn about the city park update and other projects slated for the summer and fall. The SEED program is a weekly educational program of Grinnell Regional Medical Center. 

Behrens will share the city’s plans to complete $2.75 million in improvements to Central Park in 2016 and 2017. This project has been in the planning stages since the Grinnell Parks and Recreation Board began compiling the Preliminary Inventories of the Parks of Grinnell in June 2005. The Grinnell Master Parks Improvement Plan was then adopted in July 2007. He will discuss and review the work that has been completed as a result of the development of the Master Parks Plan and highlight work that remains. He will also answer questions about other city projects underway this summer.

Behrens has served as the Grinnell city manager since September 2002. He is responsible for the supervision and general management of local government affairs of a diverse full service community with 9,218 residents. He manages 75 full-time employees and a budget exceeding $25 million, at times. His role is to supervise all city departments: police, fire, ambulance, finance, parks, cemetery, recreation, solid waste, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, water, building and planning, community and economic development, library, airport, and streets.

This program is free and open to the public. It will be held at 10 a.m. in the Drake Community Library, with refreshments beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Parking is available at the Drake Community Library, along Park Street, on Fifth Avenue, and in the First Presbyterian Church parking lot. Seniors needing transportation may call GRMC Communications and Development at 641-236-2593 by the Thursday before the program.