Wapello
4 • The Source 2024
Wapello
Wapello County is home to one of the most popular small tourist destinations – the American Gothic House – outside of Eldon . However , there is more to the county than its renowned home based on a painting from famed Iowa painter Grant Wood .
Ottumwa has taken big steps in recent years to transform its community , specifically the areas along the Des Moines
River . In early 2023 , the city council approved a master plan for Greater Ottumwa Park , and it could be the biggest transformation of the city ’ s outdoor landscape in decades . The plan would cost $ 77 million to fully implement , but the project will be done in phases over many years . The first major part of the plan will be a three-field , state-of-the-art soccer complex , on which ground will be broken this year .
Two years ago , Ottumwa also took a step in the right direction by initiating its Mission 500 housing program . The program ’ s goal is to address what officials have called the “ missing middle ,” which is affordable housing for middle-income individuals and families . The aim is to construct 500 units by 2032 to help alleviate a housing crunch in the community .
Wapello County is known for its parks in rural areas as well , and the county has applied for a grant to triple the number of campsites in the Pioneer Ridge Nature Area , which is home to fishing and other outdoor recreation , but also hosts special events such as weddings .
Later this year , the 51st running of the Register ’ s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa ( RAGBRAI ) will stop for an overnight stay in Ottumwa for the first time since 2016 , bringing thousands of bicycle riders in what figures to be an economic boon for the community . The Ottumwa Community School District will also undergo changes by reshuffling the grade levels in certain buildings to allow for fewer students in each building , but to provide a more 1-to-1 educational experience for its students .