Et cetera : NCCC’s Cedar 7 Beautifies Oelwein Parks

Corps Member Aderonke Coker nails shingles onto the roof of a shelter.

By Alex Bissell

On July 15, AmeriCorps NCCC team Cedar 7 arrived in Oelwein, Iowa, where they are working for the Parks and Recreation Department. A week and a half into the project, they roofed all seven shelters outlined in the project application for their three week stay. Additionally, they shingled a registry building and bathroom, and used a log splitter to chop and stack 280 logs.

Cedar 7 has been overwhelmed by Oelwein’s response to their presence. Several city council members have stopped by the park to say hello and invite them to sit in on one of their meetings. The team has also received excellent support from their supervisors, headed by Park Superintendent Durango Steggall.

“Working in a small community like Oelwein, you really get to see the appreciation for your efforts. Lots of people have gone out of their way to say thank you,” says Corps Member Masuzyo Mhango from Newton, Mass.

The Oelwein Parks and Recreation Department’s mission is to maintain and protect as much green space as possible, and to provide leisure and recreation opportunities for the residents of the greater Oelwein area.