As the newest phase of development within the
Iowa State University Research Park
(ISURP) takes shape, a unique partnership has formed between the ISURP and Story County Conservation to create a park within the ISURP. The ISURP recently transferred approximately 37 acres of land to Story County that will enable the county to own, develop, and manage outdoor learning and recreation areas.
The Tedesco Environmental Learning Corridor will be located between Workiva and the Economic Core Development Facility. The greenbelt is intended to serve as a community learning space, providing educational opportunities for students in K-12 as well as students conducting research at Iowa State University.
The park will be designed as a live laboratory that will showcase and explore conservation techniques including habitat restoration, water quality improvements, sustainable technologies, and land and water quality awareness.
Additionally, the park will prove especially beneficial to the more than 70 companies and 1,700 employees who comprise the ISURP, as the space will contain several biking and walking paths that will connect to the existing trail systems throughout town.
"We identified in our master planning process for the Research Park expansion that amenities and recreational opportunities were high priorities for our tenants and tenant prospects," said Steve Carter, President of the ISU Research Park. "The creation of this park and the trails systems that will interconnect it to the greater Ames area will be a wonderful addition to the Research Park. This partnership demonstrates what is possible when everyone shares a vision, and
in turn, the park will provide a really nice amenity for our community."
Work on the Tedesco Environmental Learning Corridor will be carried out in three phases, with construction already underway and completion slated for 2019.
