Imagine8 kicked of in January 2009. Together our community generated over 1800 ideas that would enhance the quality of life and create a strong identity for our community. Dedicated volunteers, known as the Selection Committee narrowed that pool of ideas down to 100. The community voted again and narrowed the pool further, to 30 ideas. Finally, the Selection Committee narrowed the list down to the final 8- The Great 8.

Click here for the 2 year anniversary update of all Imagine8 projects!

The Great 8

1. WiFi Highway
We will establish free WiFi hotspots covering the core uptown area. As the central corridor redevelops WiFi will be expanded along the entire commercial corridor. As opportunities develop the core service area may be expanded to cover an increasingly larger area of the city.

2. Make a Splash
In 2009, a citizens committee working with the parks board will help raise additional funds and help determine the best locations and design elements of splash pads. Beginning in 2010 and continuing beyond, splash pads will be installed in the identified areas as funds are raised to build them.

3. Book it
Working with Marion Library Board, Library Foundation, Friends of the Marion Library and the Marion City Council, citizens will raise additional funds, review library expansion options, and proceed with an expansion of the Library in a public/ private collaboration.

4. Park It
A citizen’s committee will work with city government to determine the feasibility of and study various options for our existing parks. Projects include: Enclosure of the depot interior. Update the restroom facilities in Marion Square Park. Expand the green-space throughout the community. Additional programming for Lowe Park for example education programs in the physical & natural sciences to include zoological, botanical, anthropological & paleontological exhibits as well as education and promotion of recycling & sustainability principals. Reintroduce Thomas Park to the community by using the park for specific events. Research the feasibility of building an amphitheater at Thomas Park.

5. All Trails Lead to Marion
A citizens committee will help raise funds, build awareness, and advise the Parks Department and Linn County Trails Association in the design and routing of a trail and green space along the central corridor. This initiative will also work toward connecting and expanding existing trails to adjacent trail networks and communities as well as improvements to existing trails.

6. Eat, Drink and be MARION
A citizens committee will work with the City, the Marion Chamber of Commerce and MEDCO to identify sites for new and expanded restaurant and entertainment venues and develop programs that will lead to the addition of an expanded restaurant and entertainment offering in Marion.

7. Marion CAN!- Marion Community Activation Network (Marion CAN!)
A citizens committee with the Chamber of Commerce will develop a set of materials and make widely available to the citizens of Marion that will:

• Aid in the addition of new community events by serving as a one-stop information source for citizens wishing to hold events like garage sales, block parties, festivals, sporting events, clean-up days, and other events attracting people to our community and providing recreational, service, or economic opportunities for Marion.
• Develop an enhanced system to match community volunteers with organizations and initiatives in need of assistance
• Creation of Community Signage and other communication tools to create awareness of community events, recreational opportunities and historical points of interest.
• Develop future leaders within the community by partnering tenured residents with the younger population to bring the community together in a unified effort.
• Provide a quarterly community orientation that will inform new Marion residents about our community, its amenities and activities and ways to get involved.

8. Functions & Fitness
Build a facility that will serve as a focal point for Community Meetings and recreation opportunities. Facility will have meeting space, a community recreational component (could be court space, indoor fitness facilities, or indoor aquatics), and also serve as a hosting location for youth programs, community events and senior services.

Where do we go from here? – This on all the Imagine 8 page? The community has spoken and now it’s time to roll up our sleeves and start implementing these initiatives. Each initiative has its own committee. These committees are working diligently to plan the implementation of their initiatives to ensure that Marion has a bright and vibrant future.

How can I get involved?
Join a committee!

Click here to join a committee.

Contact Information
Imagine8, Jill Ackerman
Phone: 319-377-6316
E-mail: jill@marioncc.org
Fax: 319-377-1576