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City of Muscatine Press Releases

Spirits are made bright at the Festival of Lights

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Muscatine’s historic Weed Park will be shining brightly again this holiday season with stunning displays of Christmas wonder from December 12 through December 26. Viewers may drive through the park and witness the spectacle from 5:30-7:30 p.m. daily beginning at the Washington Street entrance and proceeding to the Colorado Street exit. 

The elves in the Muscatine Parks and Recreation office have been busy since early fall working with local community organizations and businesses to help spread heart-warming joyfulness this holiday season. These volunteer groups have made Weed Park come to life with beautiful light displays that will help make Muscatine’s spirits bright.

This is the second year for the Festival of Lights in Weed Park with almost twice as many displays this year to delight park visitors.

Everyone will have the opportunity to get into the spirit of giving by donating a non-perishable goodwill food item that may be dropped into containers at the Washington Street entrance. All donations will be used to benefit local food pantries. 

If you want to share your holiday spirit but just haven’t found a way to do that, it is not too late to adopt a display site. Volunteers may design their own light display near any available Weed Park shelter, gardens, and structures for the enjoyment of all this December. Interested organizations or businesses may submit their application by contacting the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department at (563) 263-0241 or by emailing parksoffice@muscatineiowa.gov. 

For additional information, contact the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department at (563) 263-0241.

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City of Muscatine Press Releases

Taylor Park pickleball courts are ready for action

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Construction of one of Muscatine’s newest recreational amenities has been completed, and the facility is ready for use by the cities pickleball enthusiast. The six courts are located at Taylor Park just off of Franklin Street in Muscatine’s southend.

The recreational improvements at Taylor Park are part of the South End Improvement Project and include the pickleball courts, a new shelter, a parking lot, a splash pad, new playground, new lighting, and the installation of a modular restroom facility. However, only the pickleball courts are ready for use.

A soft opening is planned for Saturday with the courts available for drop-ins to use. Players are asked to rotate use of the courts when the facility is busy to allow everyone a chance to compete on the new surfaces. The park hours are 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Displayed near the entrance to the courts are the Pickleball Court Rules that include:

  • Pickleball courts are for pickleball use only.
  • Bikes, skateboards and pets are not allowed on the courts.
  • The use of tobacco products and their likeness is prohibited.
  • Please limit court tie and rotate during peak usage.
  • Parents are responsible for supervising their children.

Taylor Park PIckleball Court Kiosk and Rules at entrance (JPG)The rest of the park remains a construction zone and the public is advised to stay out of the areas that have not been completed as yet. The installation of the modular restroom and the completion of the splash pad are expected later this year, and the installation of the new playground equipment is tentatively planned for next spring. The timing of the completion is depending on the weather and supply chain issues.

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City of Muscatine Press Releases

Historic Preservation seeks to fill two openings

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Are you someone who would like to help safeguard Muscatine’s historical features, help preserve its history, and ensure that generations to come will have the opportunity to see and learn about Muscatine’s history? 

The Historic Preservation Commission currently has two openings and is seeking applications from residents of the City of Muscatine to join in the effort to preserve Muscatine’s history. All candidates will be considered equally based on their qualifications to serve on the commission. 

The Commission meets at 5:15 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. The commission safeguards the city’s historic, aesthetic, and cultural heritage by preserving sites and districts of history and cultural significance. Members serve five-year terms with a maximum of two full terms. 

Those interested are asked to fill out an application and return the form to Boards & Commissions, Muscatine City Hall, 215 Sycamore Street, Muscatine, IA, 52761, by 5 p.m. on Friday, August 19. A Nominating Committee meeting will be scheduled to select the nominees for presentation to City Council.

The City of Muscatine has 12 different boards and commissions that support and advise different departments and different aspects of life within Muscatine, and applications are available by clicking on the following link: Board/Committee/Commission Application.

How can I apply to volunteer my time?

Those interested in becoming a member of a board or commission can complete an application and either email the form to the administrative secretary or mail the form to Boards & Commissions, c/o Administrative Secretary, Muscatine City Hall, 215 Sycamore, Muscatine, IA 52761. The City keeps applications on file in case vacancies occur. If you are interested and available in volunteering your time, please submit your application for a future term of office.

All applications are reviewed by the Nominating Committee to ensure applicants meet the qualifications to serve on a specific board or commission, to ensure there is no potential conflicts of interests, and to ensure that each board or commission has a gender balance as prescribed by Iowa Code. Those that meet the requirements are submitted to the full Council for approval. The nominating committee includes the Mayor, two Council representatives, and the City Administrator or a representative from city staff.

The City of Muscatine welcomes all residents to submit their names and resumes for a specific board or commission or a general submission for any board or commission. Most boards or commissions require some knowledge of the subject matter and the responsibilities for the specific board of commission.

Details on the various Boards, Commissions, and Committees of the City of Muscatine is available by clicking HERE.

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City of Muscatine Press Releases

Bill McCracken is named MuscaBus Driver of the Year

MUSCATINE, Iowa – A 13-year veteran driver for the City of Muscatine’s Public Transit division has been named 2022 MuscaBus Driver of the Year. Bill McCracken, a life-long resident of Muscatine, will be recognized by the Iowa Public Transit Association later this year.

After over 40 years of working for Allsteel, McCracken knew it was time to retire, but he was not ready to completely stop working.  While researching his options, he noticed that MuscaBus was hiring at the time, and decided to apply.  

McCracken feels customer service and safely providing transportation to the people of the community is the most important aspect of operating a bus.

“I have always liked driving,” McCracken said. “Also, I enjoy meeting new people while providing a need that they have for transportation.”

McCracken drives the early shift and says he continues to work for MuscaBus because he has “a good relationship with my co-workers while we provide a service to folks that rely on us to get them to work or any other destination.”  

McCracken was born and raised in Muscatine, and never wanted to move away.   He married his high school sweetheart, Linda, and the couple will celebrate their 55th anniversary this October.   Bill and Linda have two children, Shari and Brian, two grandchildren, one great granddaughter and two dogs.  

The couple have had some very difficult times during their marriage but have become stronger with each challenge.  

When their son, Brian, was 22-years-old, he was in a fatal car accident.  

“This was the hardest thing we have gone through,”. McCracken said.

Bill and Linda relied on their faith in God to get them through this time and to have the strength to help others.  The couple led the local chapter of Compassionate Friends for 17 and a half years, supporting other families dealing with tragedy by sharing their own life experiences.  

“We were able to reach out to and support other families experiencing the death of a child, brother or sister,” McCracken said. “ We were able to cry with them, laugh with them, and sometimes hug them.”  

Bill and Linda have also worked with the local police department for Operation Prom, educating high school students on the dangers of drinking and driving.  McCracken noted that since it was started there has not been one death of any of our high school kids.

“I worked with the firemen by staging a car accident where one of the students died because of a drunk driver,” McCracken said. “Because alcohol was involved in our son’s death, I was able to share with them the dangers of drinking and driving, or getting into a car with a driver who has been drinking.”

McCracken had another challenge he had to face as a two-time cancer survivor. Following surgery to remove the cancer, McCracken was cancer free for seven years, but, unfortunately, the cancer returned.  He was able to have radiation the second time and has now been cancer free for two years.

Even with these challenges, McCracken still has a good attitude, is always friendly, and greets everyone with a smile.  He also enjoys camping throughout the summer and is often seen walking to and from work.

“McCracken is a great ambassador for MuscaBus and we are very thankful to have him as a member of our team,” Amy Fortenbacher, Transit Supervisor, said.

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