The Wilson Brewer Historic Park Committee approved a fund agreement through The Enhance Hamilton County Foundation Tuesday morning.

“It’s important that the public know at this point in time that our main mission here, in this committee and our recommendations to the council, will be that we are moving to preserve and renovate the existing facilities,” said Wilson Brewer Historic Brewer Park Chairman Gary Groves. “There are a lot of wish lists out there as to how we can enhance this park as it is, but I think our primary objective, especially to keep focused on what our mission is, is to preserve and restore so that we don’t in any way distort our message to the public.”

Members of the sub-committees within the WBHPC are currently working on getting the engineering and architectural work estimates so that the city council can go out and contract for the work to be done in the future.

“We are getting close to doing a fundraising effort and that has to be done very well. Not only do we have to have our ducks in a row and know the information that the public is going to ask of us, but we have to know what those costs are going to be and the amount of money we are asking for,” Groves said.

Groves explained that figuring out the necessary amount needed for repairs is something the public needs before they can boost their fundraising efforts.

“We must, as a committee and those who are working with us, be focused and know exactly what we’re asking for,” said Groves. “That way we can be successful in getting through this.”

The committee approved a fund agreement with the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines which will go through The Enhance Hamilton County Foundation. The committee also approved transferring $10,000 from the City’s Wilson Brewer Fund Account to be placed in the new fund for the beginning balance. With City Manager approval, the funds will come out of the City’s Wilson Brewer Fund Account. This account is from previous donations and is not City tax dollars. The $10,000 will be earmarked for the renovation of the log cabins.

Darcy Swon, Enhance Hamilton County Foundation Development Director, was present at the meeting to inform committee members of the benefits of an additional fund to direct donations for the park.

“The proposal for the new fund would allow for fundraising efforts to be a little bit more simplified from a donation standpoint, from a charitable donor’s standpoint,” said Swon.

According to Swon, EHCF would set up the fund and individuals who wish to donate would do so to The Wilson Brewer Park Fund.

According to Webster City Recreation and Public Grounds Director Kent Harfst, this fund would be a non-endowment fund for Wilson Brewer Park.

“The goal once the fundraising efforts are made, rather than going to the city’s fund account it would go to the Enhance Hamilton County Fund account that would hopefully make more interest on that,” Harfst said. “When we’re ready for the project itself to start, then that money would then be transferred back to the city and the city would pay for the work to be done.”

The Wilson Brewer Historic Park has two other fund accounts through the EHCF. One for Mulberry Center Church and another is an endowment fund for the entirety of Wilson Brewer Historic Park.

The Enhance Hamilton County Foundation’s mission is to foster private giving, strengthen service providers and improve the quality of life for citizens in Hamilton County. To these ends, it will promote endowment collaboration, and public leadership for the benefit of the designated area.

Through the affiliate partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, the Enhance Hamilton County Foundation is able to provide access to resources to assist charitable donors with their charitable goals. In addition, the Foundation works closely with organizations to establish funds to create opportunities for charitable donations and to establish sustainability for their organizations.

For more information on the Foundation and the resources they provide to assist with charitable giving, visit their website at enhancehamiltoncounty. or contact Darcy Swon, Development Director, at 515-835-0437.