Build With Bags Grant funds new picnic tables at Freeport Park

Winneshiek County Conservation has been awarded $2,000 through the Build with Bags grant program to help fund the purchase of six new picnic tables that will be placed in the timber-framed picnic shelter at Freeport Park. This project will provide ample seating for the high number of park users visiting the new playground and recreational trail at the park. The outdoor seating, made from recycled plastic bags, has been purchased from Plastic Recycling of Iowa Falls, Inc. Each table represents approximately 10,600 plastic bags that won't end up in the landfill and have been put to use in a durable, recycled product. Now in its 14th year, the Build with Bags grant program is a cooperative effort of the Iowa Grocery Industry Association, Keep Iowa Beautiful, Metro Waste Authority in Des Moines, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Winneshiek County Conservation was one of several grant recipients this year from across the State of Iowa. In addition to providing funding for the purchase of furniture and equipment made from recycled plastic for parks and schools, the Build with Bags program also strives to reduce the consumption of plastic bags, encourage the use of reusable bags, and increase the number of plastic bags recycled. The Decorah Hy-Vee store played an important role in making this grant possible; Store Manager Ariana Cervantes provided a letter of support on behalf of Winneshiek County that led to its selection as a grant recipient. The Decorah Hy-Vee store encourages the use of reusable bags and the recycling of plastic bags provided by the store. For more information on Build with Bags or its grant program opportunities, please visit www.iowagrocers.com. To learn more about Freeport Park and the work of Winneshiek County Conservation, visit www.winneshiekwild.com.