Marion's Central Plaza  |  The Heart of It All

To continue Marion’s endeavor to provide an unparalleled quality of life for both residents and visitors, the Marion Parks and Recreation Foundation is launching a capital campaign for the Central Plaza that will serve as a dynamic, regional asset for attracting residents and visitors to Marion. Plaza amenities play an integral role in creating a regional outdoor recreation experience and community living room in Uptown Marion.

The Central Plaza will enhance Uptown Marion as a destination by providing a flexible space for outdoor day-to-day use and special events throughout the year.

The plaza project is the exclamation point on many community visioning efforts, public master planning processes and private investments that support a broader vision and have achieved great momentum throughout the community.

The project was endorsed by the State and awarded a $3 million Destination Iowa grant in 2022.

Amenities will include:

› Iowa’s first ice-skating loop
› Enclosure of the Depot Pavilion
› Public restrooms
› Live performance space
› Engaging water features
› Interactive play sculpture
› Public art and seating
› Decorative lighting
› Fire tables
› Rentals and equipment
› Indoor venue space

Estimated project cost:
$7.3 million

Help us cross the finish line and further Marion’s investment in becoming a regional destination! Below you will find links to the fundraising brochure and listing of remaining sponsorship opportunities. If you're interested in supporting this effort, please complete a pledge form.

Learn more:

Marion Parks and Recreation Foundation
4500 N. 10th Street, Marion IA 52302
ph. 319-447-3580
email

About the Foundation

The Marion Parks and Recreation Foundation is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to support the Marion Parks and Recreation Department in reaching higher to improve the quality of life for Marion residents and its visitors. In doing so, they help raise funds through fundraising and grant opportunities to bring projects such as the Klopfenstein Amphitheater, Lowe Park Arts and Environment Center, the first all-inclusive playground for the City of Marion and now the Central Plaza Project to life. The organization is made up of passionate community members that have a love for the community and understand the value of arts, culture and recreation.

Members

• Katie Lowe Lancaster, Chairperson
• Victor Klopfenstein, Assistant Chair
• Arvind Dandekar, Secretary
• Tim Higginbotham, Treasurer
• James Mollenhauer
• Dustin Brooks
• Patty Wise
• Alan Rowe