For the Good of the Order

Get Ready for Summer with the Marion Public Library
This year’s summer library program is right around the corner! Kick-start the fun at the library’s kickoff event on Monday, June 2 from 4-7 p.m. This event will have fun-filled games and activities for the whole family! Learn more at marionpubliclibrary.org/events.

Friends of the Marion Parks Scavenger Hunt
The Friends of the Marion Parks put together another scavenger hunt to encourage exploration of our community’s greatest assets– THE PARKS! Take advantage of all Marion has to offer this summer. Hunting begins on Sunday, June 1 and ends on Aug. 4, 2025. Download a copy of the Scavenger Hunt Form to locate each park and find the pictured items shown in the grid. Happy hunting!

Celebrating Pride Month
Members of the Marion Civil Rights Commission and staff from the Parks and Recreation Department were hard at work this week bringing Pride to the Uptown Artway. As part of their outreach plan, the Marion Civil Rights Commission requested a light display in the Uptown Artway to celebrate Pride Month. The City encourages residents to celebrate our differences and work to make Marion a welcoming place for everyone, including our LGBTQ+ neighbors. Mayor Nick will share a Pride proclamation during the City Council meeting on June 5.

Pop-Up Acts Return to Uptown Artway Fridays in June, July & August
The City of Marion will host Pop-Up Acts in the Uptown Artway every Friday in June, July and August (except July 4). Enjoy free live music from the Uptown Artway or on the patio of a nearby business from 6-8 p.m. The weekly concert series is sponsored by Iowa Appliance Center and Affordable Heating and Cooling.

Asphalt Overlay Program Continues
Work on the 2025 Hot-Mix Asphalt (HMA) Resurfacing Project continues. This project includes milling existing street surfaces, full-depth patchwork and resurfacing of streets. The closure for Meadowview Drive from East Post Road to S 15th Street continues next week. During this time, Meadowview Drive will be closed to through traffic. 

Starting Tuesday, June 3, crews from LL Pelling will begin work on Valleyview Drive from S 15th Street to S 22nd Street, as well as on S 15th Street from Grande Avenue to Daleview Drive. During this time, Valleyview Drive and S 15th Street will be closed to through traffic. Work is expected to last two weeks, weather permitting. 

Volunteers Needed for Indian Creek Clean Up Day
The City of Marion is teaming up with Creekside Pride to remove trash from Indian Creek and educate the community on the importance of healthy watersheds. The clean-up day will take place at Thomas Park, located at 343 Marion Blvd., on Saturday, June 28, from 9 a.m.-noon. Volunteers will remove debris by boat and by foot along the paths of Indian Creek. Participants are encouraged to wear clothing that can get dirty and will protect them from moderate hazards. Garbage bags and gloves will be provided. Lunch, sponsored by Cargill, will also be offered. Help maintain Indian Creek’s beauty by signing up to volunteer at https://signup.com/go/YBJQFtG.

Outdoor Yoga in the North Plaza
Calling all yogis! Downdogs in Uptown is a free outdoor yoga class being offered on June 11 and June 25 in the Central Plaza at City Square Park. Classes will take place from 6-7 p.m. This event is a collaboration between Be Well Marion and Vella Yoga. Waivers will be available on-site.

Regional Transportation Investments and Priorities Survey
The Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is requesting the public weigh-in on the region’s long-range transportation plan (LRTP). This input will address federal requirements and act as a guide for transportation investment in the region. Your input allows for new technologies and best practices in transportation to be included in the plan, while factoring in social and economic changes. To participate, please review the draft LRTP and complete the public comment form. Comments can also be sent via email to MPO staff at corridormpo@corridormpo.com. Comments must be received by June 12, 2025. To learn more, visit www.corridormpo.com.

A Shout Out to our Streets Division
We are proud of our teammates who deliver the best in customer service. This week we received a note from a resident who said: “We’d like to thank the streets division for their work last week while cleaning and filling the cracks in the street on Mulberry Drive. They did a great job and we’re sure it will help our streets life.” Thank you all for your dedication to our team and the residents of Marion!

We’re Hiring
If you’re looking for a collaborative team where you can learn and grow while making a positive impact in the community – look no further. Current full-time openings include planning division manager, police officer, library assistant and 911 communications operator. Find a full listing of both full and part-time opportunities at www.cityofmarion.org/employment.

New Faces in New Places
On Monday, June 2, Erica Gehrke will be joining the Marion Public Library as a part-time patron services team member. She comes to us from Xavier Catholic Schools. Welcome aboard, Erica.

• Where will the mobile traffic camera be stationed next week?
  Between May 28-June 1, the mobile speed enforcement vehicle will be located in the 3400 block of McGowan Boulevard, westbound. Then, between June 3-7, the mobile speed enforcement vehicle will be located in the 5200 block of Winslow Road, northbound.

Upcoming Events

Here’s a look at what’s happening in Marion:

• Saturday, May 31 – Marion Farmers Market & City Council Office Hours – 8-11 a.m. – Willowood Park
• Thursday, June 5 – Marion by Moonlight hosted by Farmers State Bank featuring Large Midgets – 6-9 p.m. – Central Plaza at City Square Park
• Friday, June 6 – Pop-Up Acts in the Artway featuring Madison Kolbet – 6-8 p.m. – Uptown Artway

Here’s an overview of several items that will be coming before the City Council in the weeks ahead.

The following are a few of the major activities on my calendar for the coming week:

• Internal meetings
• Meeting with Maria Lickert
• City Council Work Session
• Career Professionals Day
• Meeting with YMCA representatives
• Wake Up Marion meeting
• Monthly Coffee Talk with City employees
• Cedar Rapids Economic Alliance Large Investor meeting
• City Council Meeting

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