(Atlantic, Iowa)  – The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department’s Board of Directors, Monday evening, selected a person to fill a vacancy on the Board, created by the resignation in August, of Ashley Hayes, who accepted a job with SWIPCO, in Atlantic. Parks Board Chair Jolene Smith said there were two applicants for the job.

The Board’s recommendation will be submitted to the City Council for their consideration and action, this Wednesday evening. Assuming the Council has no objections, Mayor Grace Garrett will swear-in Butler, along with Parks Board member Shirley Jensen, whose Oath of Office was done incorrectly, according to Smith.

Atlantic Parks and Rec Director Bryant Rassmussen & Assistant Jeff Christensen at the Parks Board mtg., 9/19/22

In other business, the Parks and Rec Board discussed the Healthiest State Walk, which Parks Director Bryant Rasmussen said will be held 9:30-a.m. on October 5th, beginning in the north parking lot of the Nishna Valley YMCA. From there it will proceed to Harl Holt Park via the Bull Creek Pathway, and then back to the YMCA.

Ramussen spoke also, about the placement of a memorial flag pole on the ridge near the Rotary Shelter side, of the Schildberg Recreation Area. He said the request came from a woman whose husband has passed, and would be in honor of him. There is no cost to the Parks Department. The Kiwanis will install the flag pole and required lighting (for night-time illumination).

Rasmussen said the next Parks and Rec event, is the “Tour de Parks,” sponsored in conjunction with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. Tour de Parks on October 2^nd at 2-p.m., is a free bicycle tour of Atlantic parks.

The ride will start and end at the Kiddie Korral at Sunny Side Park (1300 Sunnyside Lane). The Atlantic Kiwanis will be providing a free meal for riders when they finish the ride, and participating organizations and supporters will be giving away free prizes. The ride will be on both trails and streets to highlight area trails and the bike-ability of Atlantic. The ride and following celebration is expected to last until approximately 5:30.

For questions or to borrow a bike or helmet for the ride, contact Atlantic Parks & Recreation at 712-243-3542. Additional information will be forthcoming also, on a Scarecrow Contest. Follow Atlantic Parks and Recreation on Facebook, to see the latest.