- Earthpark
Earthpark is a proposed best-in-class educational facility with indoor rain forest and aquarium elements, and a mission of "inspiring generations to learn from the natural world." It was previously called the Environmental Project.
Earthpark was to be located around Lake Red Rock, near the town of
Pella, Iowa . "Press Citizen", "Top 10 news stories of 2006", December 27, 2006, retrieved on December 29, 2006.] In December 2007, federal funding from theU.S. Department of Energy for the Pella location was rescinded. Proposals from a variety of potential hosts, some outside of Iowa are being considered.Location
Talks between Earthpark and the city of
Coralville, Iowa , the original planned location of Earthpark, ended in 2006. The project then found a new home inPella, Iowa . [ [http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080902/NEWS01/809020329/1079 "Can this vision become reality?"] , "Press-Citizen", September 2, 2008]Size and scope
The total project cost for Earthpark is estimated to be $155 million USD. The complex was planned to be convert|3.5|acre|m2 in area with a 600,000 gallon aquarium and outdoor wetland and prairie exhibits.
A similar project exists in
Cornwall, England , calledThe Eden Project .The Earthpark project was expected to employ 150 people directly and create an additional 2000 indirect jobs. The economic impact was estimated to be $130 million USD annually. The park was projected to draw 1 million visitors annually to the Pella area. "Pella Lands the Earthpark", "Town Crier News", retrieved on December 29, 2006]
Funding
In August 2008, when asked if any efforts would be made to get additional federal money for the project, U.S. Senator
Chuck Grassley said "Not by this senator, and I don't think there will be any by other senators." [cite news |date=August 26, 2008| title=Grassley frustrated with federal response to flood |author=Stephen Schmidt |publisher="The Gazette" |url=http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080827/NEWS/708279946/1006/news ]References
External links
* [http://www.earthpark.org Official website]
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