Bob LaGrange sat between the foundation of the Old Creamery Theatre and the Old Creamery Nature Trail on Monday, along with leaders from Vinton, Dysart and Garrison who had gathered to celebrate the latest improvements in the trail's 20-year history.

LaGrange was wearing a decades-old light blue jacket with the Old Creamery Theatre logo on the back, and an Old Creamery Nature Trail T-shirt. 

"I've had this jacket since the first year I served on the board," said LaGrange. 

The celebration of the $7,500 donation from Wellmark to the project was a tribute to both the trail and the theatre troupe that called Garrison home a generation ago. 

The money will help the Benton County Conservation Board, the Garrison Library Board and other local entities create a rest area for the nature trail on the site of the foundation of the creamery that later became a theater. 

The new facility will include a shaded pavilion, rest rooms and water bottle filling stations, a path to the library and more features, said Conservation Director Matt Purdy. 

The project, said Purdy, is still in the planning stages; the final cost has not yet been determined.

Wellmark's Michael Gerrish said that the insurer chose 16 projects out of 180 applications. He said the amount of community participation in the voting process was a big factor in the decision. He observed that Garrison, with an official population of 371, had more than 800 votes. 

Conservation Board member and trail activist Randy Scheel of Garrison said another grant of $180,000 will pay for the resurfacing of the entire trail, from Vinton to Garrison to Dysart. Both the resurfacing and the rest area are expected to be completed in 2015. 

"We look forward to coming back here for your dedication, and to passing out water bottles," said Gerrish.

Wellmark and Farm Bureau have been supporting the project with a variety of grants. A new large sign attached to one of the grain bins along the trail displays a trail map. 

Below is a press release from Wellmark about the project and the trail's recent history:

DES MOINES, IA (Oct. 28, 2014) — Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield presented a $7,500 award for the Old Creamery Nature Trail rest area to the Benton County Conservation Board. The award will help construct a rest area along the Old Creamery Nature Trail in Garrison, Iowa, the midpoint of the 15 mile trail that runs from Vinton through Garrison and in to Dysart. 

Hit hard by 145 mile per hour straight line winds on July 11, 2011, the Old Creamery Nature Trail incurred substantial damage. Almost every home in the area sustained damage, and the fire station and library were completely destroyed.

“One of the priorities has been restoration and enhancement of the trail, but the community’s resources have been drained in the recovery effort, making it impossible for the community to achieve its improvement goals for the trail,” said Randy Scheel, Benton County Conversation board member. “This award is a key component to revitalizing the only trail in Benton County.”

A large sign on grain bin near the site marks the entrance to the trail. This sign was made possible by local Farm Bureau agent Teresa Meyer and Wellmark.

“The sign will not only mark the trail and new rest area but will welcome visitors to our community and encourage use of the trail,” Meyer said. “I am proud to be a part of this project and the recreational opportunity it will provide for this area.”

The Old Creamery Nature Trail rest area was one of only 16 projects, from more than 100 entries, selected to receive $7,500. As part of its 75thanniversary celebration, Wellmark announced it would be awarding $7,500 to 16 projects that were able to demonstrate a long-lasting impact on making the healthy choice the easy choice, and improving overall community health and wellness. The public also had the chance to vote for their favorite project with more than 84,000 votes received during the voting period.

“We are proud to present this award to help build the Old Creamery Nature Trail rest area as part of the revitalization of the trail,” said Michael Gerrish, vice president of corporate and marketing communications for Wellmark. “This project will have a long last impact on the community. It also provides us a great opportunity to pay it forward by improving the health and well-being of the communities in which we live, work and play.”

To see the calendar of events for Wellmark’s anniversary “75 days. 75 Ways.” including what Wellmark did each day during its 75 days to encourage healthier and better lives for Iowans and South Dakotans, visit www.Wellmark.com/75.