The Sutherland Parks Board won an O’Brien County Foundation grant to assist with costs for the installation of one block of sidewalk on the north side of the City Park. The addition gives a stable walking surface on all 4 sides of the 1 city block park. The park board plans to install signage showing distance from corner to corner for individuals counting steps, feet, miles or other distances.
Councilman Patrick Nelson distributed a map created by Northwest Iowa Planning and Development to propose expansion of a safe walking route within Sutherland City limits. A meeting held in June to discuss trail options brought ideas and the safest possible routes and potential destination features to include.
The proposed routes takes a walker from the southeast corner of the city park (Main and 4th) south on Main Street to the next intersection at East Washington Street. From there the route heads east to Pine Street.
Property owner Mike Yonkey approached council in 2022 to get permission to clean up city owned property adjacent to his east property line. The area was donated to the city over two decades ago to be used as an arboretum. The concept and recreational/environmental opportunity was lost and is being resurrected. Yonkey has done much cleanup to the area. The trail from East Washington and Pine Street could go right into the Aboretum if an easement can be negotiated with Yonkey. He has expressed willingness to create such an arrangement,
Nelson went on to share thoughts being expressed about the development of the Arboretum to include fruit trees and bushes.
A lot immediately to the south of the Arboretum once has three camping pads. There is als interest in reacquiring that lot and restoring the camp sites with electricity and water. The Arboretum and trail are considered to be two features that would play well on each other for travelers and residents alike.