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PO Box 781
Cascade, Ia 52033

President:
John Noonan
563.852.7108

Secretary/Treasurer:
Randy Lyons
563.852.7595

Preserve America

Silos and Smokestacks

Cascade Community Enhancement Organization

The Cascade Community Enhancement Corporation (CCEC) was formed in 2001 when the US Highway 151 by-pass was under construction. We began to formulate solutions that would help bring in more visitors, residents, and businesses through historical, recreational and cultural enhancement projects that would make our community more attractive, increase the quality of life for many, and keep the economic engine running in our community..

The Cascade Community Enhancement Corporation was founded by and is run by volunteers. This allows us to get the most out of every dollar and resource allocated and gives us the chance to look at more opportunities. Volunteers also spend much time at the local and historical sites during the summer as interpretive advisers when holidays or special events bring more people into our community.

Some examples of our group’s past projects include:

River Access Sign1. The Cascade Historic Limestone Silo & Agricultural Interpretive Center (located on 215 Pierce St. SW. south of the River View Park) highlights the contribution that agriculture has made to our community and America. Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area has recognized this unique outdoor exhibit as a partner Site.

 Agricultural Interpretive Center

2. The restored of the old historic limestone three-room jailhouse is located on Lincoln Street NW behind City Hall.

 Cascade City Jailhouse

3. The River Canoe Access Project has allowed enthusiasts to enter safely the Maquoketa River South of the Historic Limestone Silo & Agricultural Interpretive Center for a beautiful day of canoeing down the North Fork of the River.

 Cascade River Access

4. Our organization hosted an event called Cascade Helping It’s Neighbors (CHIN) which was a fundraiser for flood relief that benefited the Olin Youth League, Boys & Girls Club of Cedar Rapids, and five Cedar Rapids parishes hit hard by the devastating floods of 2008. In that same year, we took a busload of volunteers up to New Hartford, Iowa to aid in the recovery from the F5 tornado that devastated their community.

Future plans include working with the Cascade Park Board to enhance historic Riverview Park with a decorative wrought iron fence along the North Fork Maquoketa River.

Finished Amphitheater

The CCEC merged with Rockin' on the River, another one of Cascade's volunteer organizations to aid in building the Cascade Amphitheater in Riverview Park. This project was generously funded through a DRA grant, a Woodward Foundation grant, contribution from the City of Cascade, donations, concerts, and other fundraising events. The structure boasts a 40'x20' open-air amphitheater is faced in limestone, a natural product of the area, and topped with a "waved roof" which mimics the meandering North Fork Maquoketa River. The structure also includes handicap accessible restrooms for park patrons and event goers.

The CCEC was recognized as a Preserve America Steward by the White House on Feb 3, 2011, the First Volunteer Organization in Iowa. We were noted for “successful use of volunteer time and commitment in order to help care for our historic heritage”. You can find this on the Preserve America Stewards website: http://www.preserveamerica.gov/stewards.html