Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Keokuk Rocket Slide Coming Back

Work is now underway at the site that will soon be home to Keokuk’s “old” rocket slide.

It feels great that a lot of people came out to support it and that a lot of people are excited about it

Supporters broke ground in the middle of Triangle Park this week.

The Keokuk City Council had the slide removed from Kilbourne Park, several years ago, over safety concerns.

It was eventually sold, which should probably have been the end of the story.

That turned out to not be the case as it reappeared on the cable television program, American Restoration, which is based in Las Vegas, NV.

The appearance jump-started an effort to bring the slide home.

Local business owner Doug Matlick helped lead that effort.

“It feels great that a lot of people came out to support it and that a lot of people are excited about it,” says Matlick.  “It has been a long haul.  We knew it would get here and it has pretty much turned out the way we hoped.”

A concrete base must be put in place before the slide can be installed.

A fundraiser determined where the slide would be located.

Matlick says a tentative dedication of the slide is scheduled for Sunday, August 11.

He says supporters are now looking for new projects to work on to improve the quality of life in Keokuk.

Jason Parrott is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.