Gay Lea Wilson Trail
Gateway Park in Bondurant is home to the renowned Porch Swings and Fireflies art display, which serves as the focal point of the Gay Lea Wilson Trail in Bondurant and serves as an entry point to the community. There are future plans to expand the trail through a future Central Park, connecting it to Altoona in the south. Today, Gay Lea Wilson begins at an underpass connecting the community from the south under Highway 65 through Gateway Park and guides pedestrians to downtown Bondurant.
The Porch Swings and Fireflies display in Bondurant received the 2018 All-Star Community Award, recognizing excellence in local government initiatives. Judges, comprised of former city officials and individuals with municipal government ties, evaluated the project's impact on the community, its alignment with community needs, the number of people it affected, and its long-term sustainability. Entries were categorized based on population.
Twelve senior art students from Bondurant High School participated in a "Request for Proposal Process," leading to a juried artwork presentation and inspiring the creation of the permanent visual art feature, "Porch Swing and Fireflies," at Gateway Park. Students submitted a vision statement, a resume of prior work, and a digital rendering of their concept. Guided by Bondurant High School art instructor Christian Vandehaar, along with artists TJ Moberg and Dennis Reynolds, the students developed art designs that served as inspiration for the backs of the Porch Swings.
The students' artwork was presented to a jury, which provided feedback and selected two designs. Artists TJ Moberg and Dennis Reynolds used this inspiration to craft a flowing image incorporated into the metal backs of the nine swings. Involving the young artists fostered a sense of pride in the community and highlighted the importance of incorporating local resources in art projects. The grant provided the opportunity for project artists to mentor the students, creating a lasting reminder to the Iowa community that art can be both visually and physically enjoyable, as well as a collaborative community effort. The Class of 2016 Art Students now have a lasting memorial to their experience, having transformed a concept into a permanent art feature in their hometown.