Avenue Of Flags Clears Hurdle

An example of the 'Avenue of Flags' in a local Iowa community (photo by R.D. Keep)

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Optimist Club of Oskaloosa moved one step closer to being able to see it’s ‘Avenue of Flags’ happen.

The Oskaloosa Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously passed the resolution, even against the recommendation of the city staff.

Guidelines were set for a minimum distance the flags could be near the roadway and provisions were included for how many flags could be placed, with differences between residential and commercial being set.

The measure moves on to the Oskaloosa City Council for their consideration.

“Well this is obviously one step that we have to go through,” said R.D. Keep. Keep is a member of the Oskaloosa Optimist Club and said this of the process so far, “I thought the board asked a lot of good questions and we worked through some issues. I think it’s a great project.”

Keep said he’s seen this kind of project done before by other clubs. “Particularly in Iowa, talking to a lot of the Optimist members from other clubs, a lot of sense of pride. I remember talking to the city clerk of Kalona, who said she just couldn’t believe how nice it looks when those flags go up.”

“I think it’s going to be nice when we see neighborhoods where there’s flags virtually all the way up and down each neighborhood. It’s going to be fun.”

With a current membership of just over 20 people, Keep says that they will be capable of installing and recovering the flags each of the days they would put them out. He says that with some planning and building routes that the job could be done in a short amount of time.

You can find the Oskaloosa Optimist Club on Facebook HERE.