Marion’s newly renovated company car will serve as the centerpiece of the new park

MARION, Iowa (KCRG) – Marion’s City Square Park’s service float has been refurbished and will be installed Tuesday as the centerpiece of the city’s new Draper Park.

The city commissioned Wabtec Corp. to rehabilitate the heavily corroded vehicle, which required reconstructing over 40 percent of the vehicle’s exterior.

The vehicle will arrive at its new location on Grand Wood Trail, south of the American Legion, at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

There it will become the centerpiece of Draper Park, a new small park that honors Marion’s railroad history.

“The Grant Wood Trail follows the former railroad route and connects several parks in Marion, including Waldo’s Rock Park, City Square Park and Thomas Park,” city officials said in a press release. “The project is designed to educate residents about Marion’s railroad history, create a destination along the trail and enhance existing city property.”

Draper Park is named after former Councilman Paul Draper, who served on the Civil Service Commission for 25 years and was elected to the Marion City Council from 2012 to 20120.

Work on Draper Park is expected to be completed later this fall.

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