With Destination Iowa grant, Blank Park Zoo plans tiger exhibit, conservation center

Blank Park Zoo on Des Moines' south side is getting a $3.3 million boost from a tourism grant to fund tiger conservation efforts and upgrade a seal and sea lion facility.

Another $1.5 million was awarded to Story County Conservation to pave a portion of the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail.

Both grants are part of Gov. Kim Reynolds' $100 million Destination Iowa program she started with federal COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act funds. She announced in a news release Thursday the projects that received the remaining $27 million that had yet to be allocated.

She also announced an additional $15 million that will go to Destination Iowa applicants from rural communities.

In all, Reynolds has issued grants to support 46 "transformational projects" that enhance Iowa's quality of life and attractiveness as a career and tourism destination.

"Destination Iowa has inspired communities in all corners of the state to dream big about projects that will bolster quality of life and attract newcomers," Reynolds said in a statement. "The demand is so high, especially in rural areas, that I’ve extended the program to help more rural communities realize those dreams."

Previous recipients include the planned Field of Dreams stadium in Dyersville, Des Moines elements of the ICON water trails project, and a revamp of the Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines.

Des Moines' Blank Park Zoo plans a big cat conservation exhibit

Blank Park Zoo CEO Anne Shimerdla said the grant funding will go toward an $18.1 million project that will improve accessibility at the zoo, further educational programming for visitors, contribute to animal welfare, and expand conservation and sustainability efforts.

Project components include:

• Install a saltwater filtration system for the seals and sea lions' pool, as well as new night quarters.

• Create a new exhibit called Wild Iowa with bald eagles, river otters, and a species new to the zoo.

• Move the lions to a space that's part of the Jamaa Kwa Africa exhibit, which will triple the size of their current spot.

• Remodel the current lion space into a tiger conservation center. The remodel, Shimerdla said, will allow the zoo to help sustain the species and keep it from going extinct. The World Wildlife Fund estimates there are 4,500 tigers left in the world. The hope is that the zoo can one day breed the tigers to contribute in a "positive way" to the population increase, Shimerdla said.

• Re-do walking pathways and add a stage at the center of the zoo.

Shimerdla said this is the zoo's first major project since 2013. And with more than 500,000 annual visits to the zoo from people across the state, the ability to complete the projects will have a "meaningful" impact on "all Iowans" and visitors.

"A project like this size has the opportunity to really have a large economic impact for the south side of Des Moines and for Polk County and our region," she said.

Story County to pave a portion of the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail

Story County Conservation will get $1.5 million to help pave a portion of the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail that will connect Nevada to Maxwell, according to Reynolds' news release. The award represents 31% of the total project cost of $4.8 million.

Special projects park ranger Patrick Shehan, who helped submit the grant application on behalf of the county's conservation department, said the money actually is intended for a portion of the trail that connects Collins to the South Skunk River bridge, east of Cambridge — about 10.5 miles.

Shehan said county conservation officials intend to meet with Destination Iowa leaders next week to learn more about the grant funding allocation. But he said the county is "very excited" at the possibility of being able to fund the project.

Who else got Destination Iowa grants from Gov. Kim Reynolds?

The seventh and last round of Destination Iowa provided $27 million to eight other projects across the state, including:

• The Dubuque Art Museum was awarded $8 million to help construct a new museum and a 10,000-square-foot outdoor sculpture garden.

• The Dickinson County Conservation Board was awarded $3.5 million to develop the new Sherwood Forest Park on the former site of The Inn at Okoboji resort.

• The city of Cedar Rapids was awarded $3 million toward the LightLine Loop project in the Czech Village and NewBo District.

• The city of Dubuque was awarded $3 million for an open-air amphitheater on Schmitt Island.

• The city of Marshalltown was awarded $2 million for the Linn Creek District development and creative placemaking efforts.

• The India Heritage & Cultural Center was awarded $900,000 to expand the Hindu Temple and Cultural Center near Madrid.

• The Putnam Museum and Science Center in Davenport was awarded $900,000 toward an expansion project.

• The African American Museum of Iowa in Cedar Rapids was awarded $800,000 toward major renovations at the museum and the reinstallation of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.-inspired “Trumpet” sculpture and garden.

For the additional $15 million, the Iowa Economic Development Authority reviewed applications already submitted from rural communities, defined as less than 30,000 residents that are not adjacent to larger communities.

• The Southeast Iowa Sports Commission was awarded $2,.5 million to develop the Ottumwa SportsPlex Development Project.

• The Midwest Old Settlers and Threshers Association was awarded $500,000 to improve and enhance existing campground facilities at the Midwest Old Settlers and Threshers Association grounds.

• Jasper County Conservation was awarded $550,000 for the Jasper County Conservation Environmental Education Center.

• The city of Denison was awarded $4.5 million for the Crawford County Wellness and Recreation Center.

• America's First Great Dam Foundation was awarded $115,000 for the 1913 Hydro-Electric Turbine Visitor Center project in Keokuk.

• Wapello County was awarded $500,000 for improvements and enhancements to the Pioneer Ridge Park Campground.

• The Clayton County Conservation Board was awarded $345,000 to modernize and enhance the Osborne Welcome Center and Campground.

• The city of Treynor was awarded $800,000 for a multi-phase park and recreation project.

• Jefferson County was awarded $450,000 for improvements and enhancements to the Jefferson County Prairie Ridge Campground.

• The city of Dayton and the Dayton Community Club were awarded $800,000 for improvements to the Dayton Oak Park Trails Rodeo and Events Center.

• The city of Keosauqua was awarded $300,000 for the Lower Des Moines Water Trail.

• The Stanton Community Foundation and Montgomery County were awarded $850,000 for the Stanton Area Trail Project.

• Pearson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji was awarded $185,000 for the Art Smart Children’s Interactive Gallery project.

• Osceola County Conservation Board was awarded $200,000 to expand the Willow Creek Campground.

• The YMCA of Washington County was awarded $750,000 for an indoor aquatic center.

• Marshall County Conservation was awarded $400,000 to improve and further develop the Green Castle Recreation Area Campground.

• The city of Muscatine was awarded $1 million for the Muscatine Indoor Sports Complex.

• The city of Fort Madison was awarded $250,000 for the Fort Madison River Landing project.

Virginia Barreda is the Des Moines city government reporter for the Register. She can be reached at vbarreda@dmreg.com. Follow her on Twitter at @vbarreda2.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines Blank Park Zoo plans tiger exhibit, remodeled sea lion pool