Gilchrist Supports the Chris Larsen Park Riverfront Redevelopment Project

The Sioux City Parks and Recreation Department is putting the finishing touches on the $12 million Chris Larsen Park Riverfront Redevelopment project. The redeveloped riverfront, located on the former site of the Argosy Casino along the Missouri River, was a multi-year project funded in part by generous donors like the Gilchrist Foundation.

 

In 2019, the Foundation awarded the Parks and Recreation Department a $100,000 project grant for Phase 1 of the project and another $100,000 in 2021 for Phase 2. The entire project, which is nearly complete except for some finishing touches to the landscaping, includes park spaces for small and large family/community gatherings, event spaces, native plantings, active recreation areas, fitness stations, three park shelters, restroom facilities, two basketball courts, a dog park for both small and large dogs, play equipment for ages 2-12 and enhancements to the recreational trail system.

 

Open for RAGBRAI

While the official grand opening is still being planned, the park was open for RAGBRAI, which started in Sioux City this year. Chris Larsen Park served as a campground for more than 25,000 riders before beginning their 468-mile trek across the state. It was the 50th year for the ride, which started in 1973 by two Des Moines Register columnists who invited a few friends along. It is always held the last full week in July.

 

While the renovated space made a great impression on the riders, local community members also enjoyed the space this summer. It’s the type of outdoor area that the Gilchrist Foundation loves to support.

 

The Gilchrist Foundation Supports Parks and Outdoor Spaces

Each year the Foundation gives thousands in grant money to organizations that are building, renovating and expanding outdoor spaces for their communities.

 

In 2022 alone, the Foundation gave:

  • $50,000 to the Siouxland Freedom Park for the design, fabrication and installation of exhibits for the Interpretive Center,

  • $6,000 to the Clara Latham Memorial Park Trust to expand the sprinkler system and annual planting of flowers and trees,

  • $35,000 to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center for its Shipwreck Outdoor Theatre project,

  • $5,000 to MercyOne Siouxland Foundation for its new garden space,

  • $5,000 to Morningside University to expand its spring planting to attract and support butterfly habitats,

  • $5,000 to Emerson Veterans Memorial Park to construct a memorial park for northeast Nebraska veterans.

Supporting parks, outdoor spaces and wildlife were passions of philanthropist Jocelyn Gilchrist, the founder of the Gilchrist Foundation.

 

About the Gilchrist Foundation

Jocelyn created the Gilchrist Foundation in honor of her family. She used the wealth accumulated by her family to give back to the community, especially in the areas that were her biggest passions, one of which was wildlife. After her death in 2008, the Gilchrist Foundation continued to support these philanthropic interests.

 

The mission of the Gilchrist Foundation is to carry out the philanthropy established by the Gilchrist family. The emphasis is on fostering the long-term viability of the charity and enabling special projects rather than supplying short-term operating funds. The Foundation provides incentives and funds to pre-selected non-profit organizations, with a preference for the Sioux City area. Interests considered for funding include Wildlife & Conservation, Arts & Public Broadcasting and Disaster Relief.

 

Visit the Applications page to learn more about the process.

 

 

Erin Sandage