After reviewing the progress made in 2025, few can deny that Gerald is booming. The year began quietly enough with dreamers dreaming and planners planning. Dreams and plans don’t always come to fruition but this year many of them did. Sometimes it just takes one small step to get the ball rolling.

In May, the Rock Island Bloomers installed an arbor in Legion Park. They also planted climbing roses along side the structure.

The Bloomers then turned their attention to cleaning up an eyesore along the highway-—the old Schmidt house. Many newcomers and passersby did not even realize there was a house behind the wall of brush and vines. The Bloomers worked tirelessly to complete the project before an influx of visitors arrived in town for three major events.

On May 31, The Rock Island Trail was officially opened for use. People from across the state joined state officials for a ribbon cutting ceremony at Main Street.

The crowed then crossed the street to witness the signing of the newly completed mural (another Bloomer project) by artist Ray Harvey.

To cap the day off, folks flocked to the Fireman’s Picnic in Legion Park. The Gerald-Rosebud Fire Department revived the popular event after a decade-long hiatus. They have promised to keep the tradition alive.

May also saw a solution to an age old problem in town—feral cats. Business owner Gabrielle Sandbothe teamed with Ferals in Peril to capture, treat, spay or neuter and release scores of felines. This ongoing program has brought a significant reduction of wild cats to the community.

The city completed two big projects in July.

In 2012, voters passed a sales tax dedicated to upgrading city streets. Since then, the city has worked a plan that included repaving/resurfacing several streets each year. This year the final street, South Pine Street, was resurfaced, crossing the final street off the list.

The sales tax that funded the work has expired just as the work was completed. In April, voters agreed to a new sales tax to fund public safety.

July also brought the end to an ongoing problem at the city’s waste water treatment facility north of town. A professional team was assembled to assess and correct the issue which had plagued the facility for years. A new aeration system was installed and seems to have solved the problem.

The city then turned their attention to City Park. Beverly and Rick Coppedge donated a sign they had created for the park’s entrance. City crews installed the sign in a flower bed landscaped by the Bloomers.

The city next paved the outer road of the park, City Park Drive, and all parking lots in the park. The Gerald Athletic Association stepped up to provide striping for some of the parking lots.

A new hiking trail was built by the city, winding through a half-mile of the wooded area on the eastern side of the park.

In October, the Gerald Lions Club and the Hackstedt family teamed up to install a new playground near the big ball diamond in the park. The city purchased the equipment and the volunteers assembled it and provided landscaping.

December saw the reopening of the Gerald Senior Center. Virginia Froelker spearheaded the campaign to find a new board of directors to oversee the project. Calvary New Life Church offered space for the center.

It was a great and productive year in Gerald, but no one is content to let it stop there. In 2026, you can expect to see more progress.

The city plans to complete its long term project of installing new water meters for every user in town. They also hope to finish a frog pond adjacent to the hiking trail. This will provide children, and others, an educational opportunity while getting a little exercise.

A complete renovation of the gymnasium at Gerald Elementary School should be completed and unveiled.

The Bloomers have several projects underway.

In collaboration with The Rock Island Trail Bicycle Shop and the city, they will complete an historic bike loop through town. While locals can enjoy the loop on their bikes, it will also encourage visiting cyclists to leave the Rock Island Trail and explore the town.

The Bloomers will also work closely with the city on two other projects. The first is recreating the two-story bandstand that once was a landmark in Gerald. The second is overhauling the Veterans Memorial in Legion Park.

The Gerald Development Association hopes to complete their Visitors Center and  Train Museum in the coming year.

City officials played a large part in spurring on and taking part in this year’s progress. It’s when organizations and individuals step in that the magic really happens.