Projects

Christmas in Pella

Nothing says Christmas more than thousands of twinkling lights. Christmas in Pella brings the magic of the holiday season to life with the Tunnel of Lights, a walk-through ornament, lighted spheres surrounding the sundial in Central Park and 49 wrapped and lit lamp posts around the square.

This year we will be wrapping several trees with lights to further enhance the downtown all aglow. We continue to collaborate with Pella Fiber to offer free professional photos under the Tunnel of Lights over the Thanksgiving weekend. Last year we photographed over 200 families, individuals, friend groups and pets! 

Kerstmark is Visit Pella’s festive Dutch Christmas market on the Molengracht. Residents and visitors enjoy traditional treats and spirits, handcrafted gifts, visits with Santa, local retail offerings and live music. We continue to support Visit Pella by donating funds to purchase more huts to expand Kerstmarkt.

Murals & Public Art

When arts and culture are woven into the fabric of a community, it boosts tourism, attracts diverse talent, fosters innovation, and grows the economy. From individual citizens, various organizations, businesses of all sizes, and government leadership—everyone in the ecosystem of the community benefits from the arts.

Art speaks a universal language of connection and contributes to the quality of life. We have a unique and beautiful community, a stunning canvas. We will complement our existing architecture and designs as we color in our canvas with sculptures, public and interactive art, and murals. We will showcase and honor our heritage and tell the story of Pella’s history.

Caldwell Park Chiller

We believe Caldwell Park is an underutilized local treasure, especially during the colder months of the year when outdoor basketball, skateboarding, tennis, playground activities, fishing, and lawn games are in hibernation. Taking advantage of the existing shelter structure and replacing the City’s temperature-dependent ice rink (which was only usable for three days during the last skating season) with a modern chiller, multiplies the positive community impact of the Park exponentially.​

Imagine a family friendly “winter park” destination at Caldwell Park offering ice skating, curling, bumper tubes, and other winter activities for all ages, seasonal refreshments, and perhaps even pop-up holiday shopping that will attract residents and visitors to retail beyond Pella’s central business district, thereby supporting established businesses in South Pella. This project has the potential to be a community-wide, multi-generational attraction. ​

Molengracht Courtyard

Placemaking is key to the long-term sustainability of a community. With workforce attraction and retention the primary challenge our major employers face, it is pivotal we elevate Pella with experiences, provisions, opportunities for connection, and a dynamic and captivating community. 

We hope to utilize funding to elevate the currently, underutilized Molengracht Courtyard by adding an outdoor fireplace feature, planters, moveable seating for up to 100, overhead lighting canopy, and a stage for live music.

Klokkenspel Plaza

A beautiful setting for Pella residents and visitors, the Klokkenspel plaza boasts beautiful Dutch tile artwork and enriched history. To elevate the current space, we hope to add seating and tables, planters, overhead canopy lighting, and a mural on the Work of Our Hands building.