Oskaloosa Community Information
When
considering where you would like
to relocate, think of
Oskaloosa first...
first in pride, first in progress,
first in tradition.
 Incorporated
in 1853 with a population of only 1,000, Oskaloosa has grown to nearly
11,000 while maintaining small town quality of life. Oskaloosa has
encouraged growth by offering tax abatement on new construction. This
has spawned five new residential developments. Fox Run is located near
Elmhurst Country Club which offers an 18-hole golf course,
casual fine dining, swimming facilities and tennis courts. The back nine
holes were newly built in 1996 as a part of the Fox Run development.
Membership dues are comparatively reasonable and availability isn't the
problem it is in larger communities. The Marje subdivision borders Fox
Run and features easy access to the new four-lane highway, family homes,
townhouses, family apartments and elderly apartments. The Golfview
subdivision has a spectacular view of
Edmundson Municipal Golf Course. This also has an 18-hole
golf course,
swimming pool, Frisbee golf course, picnic areas and the Wooden
Playground, which was built completely by community volunteers in 1994.
Also located near Edmundson Municipal Golf Course is the Westfield
subdivision. Westfield's lots overlook the nine-hole
Harvest Point Golf Course and are perfect for family living.
On the east edge of Oskaloosa, the scenic lots of the Maple Woods
subdivision are approximately 1/2 acre or larger. Maple Woods has strict
covenants aimed at creating value and long term quality.
 Education
has always been a high priority among Oskaloosa citizens. In 1987 the
Oskaloosa Junior High School was constructed near the Senior High. Then
in 1997, the
George Daily Auditorium joined them. The auditorium was
constructed using a combination of district funds, private and corporate
giving and revenues from the George Daily Trust. It is available to the
Oskaloosa Community Theater, William Penn University, and community
groups as well as the
Oskaloosa Schools.
In
September of 2001, the Mahaska Community passed a two cent local option
sales tax with a portion of the money funding a $26 million school
project. While neighborhood elementary schools had been a long-standing
tradition, the buildings were aging and deteriorating and no longer
serving the needs of the students. A new 1,100 student elementary
 school
was planned to serve kindergarten through 5th grade students.
It was the consensus of the educational staff and the community to
implement the middle school concept for students in grades 6-8,
requiring little physical changes in the existing junior high
building. This change necessitated moving the 9th graders to
the senior high and required an addition and renovation at that
facility. There is a shuttle bus service between the
Oskaloosa Elementary School and the
Middle School/Senior
High campus to ensure that our children arrive promptly and
safely at their destinations.
 The
Oskaloosa Christian School is a private, parent-operated
school accredited by the State Department of Education. The primary goal
is to train children to be effective disciples of Jesus Christ through a
Christ-centered educational program. Recent renovations have included a
computer lab, centralized library, art room and science lab, resource
room and new music room.
The
Oskaloosa Public Library was recently expanded and renovated.
It offers many stimulating activities for children including story
times, puppets, puzzles, games and toys. Also available are copier and
fax machines, music, audio books and public internet stations.
William Penn University consists of a 40-acre campus on the
north edge of Oskaloosa. It is a liberal arts college
affiliated with the Society of Friends.
Wilcox Library supports the William Penn community.
Vennard
College, located in University Park, is a four-year Bible
College.
The
Mahaska Community Recreation Trail began in 1999 and is near
completion. The
Team Mahaska website has more
information and a
map of the trail.
For more information
about Oskaloosa, visit
Oskaloosa Area Chamber and Development Group. Other sites
with helpful information about Oskaloosa and the surrounding area are:
Oskaloosa, IA Community Quick Reference
Team Mahaska Newsletter
Main Street Oskaloosa
|
