McWane, Inc. and Clow Valve recently donated an $80,000 grant to Friends of Mahaska County Conservation, a nonprofit group dedicated to supporting environmental education and land stewardship through the Mahaska County Conservation Board. The funding will support construction of the Mahaska County Conservation All-Inclusive Nature Playscape and Community Area, with groundbreaking set for April 2025.
Plans for the new playscape include natural climbing features, a mammoth play sculpture, a log traverse, staggered trails and other immersive elements intended to foster exploration and learning in an open-air environment. The project will serve not only Oskaloosa but surrounding communities and will be inclusive for children of all abilities.
Mahaska County Conservation officials say the playscape will enhance public access to the outdoors, offer inclusive play opportunities for children of all backgrounds and abilities, and strengthen the community’s commitment to nature-based education.