Island City Elementary PTO Races Toward Paving Goal
By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
ISLAND CITY – The Island City Elementary PTO is on a mission to transform a dusty, uneven gravel loop into a safe, accessible community hub. The “Pathway Project” aims to pave an eight-foot wide, ¼ mile path on Island City School grounds, providing a smooth surface for students, teachers, athletes, and community members alike.
At the location where Island City Elementary School is, there are no sidewalks, according to Island City Elementary PTO President Katie Merrick.
Merrick notes that currently, the path consists of loose pea gravel, making it difficult for students in grades 3–5 to complete their seasonal mile runs. This is also a hinderance for faculty and community members to use the area safely. The uneven surface isn’t just a challenge for young runners, it’s a barrier for parents with strollers and those requiring ADA-compliant access to nearby soccer and baseball fields.
“Paving this path will make running easier for everyone,” the PTO stated in their project proposal. The improvement is expected to boost participation in programs like SoleKIDS, where over 50 local children and volunteers train for 5K races each fall.
The project has seen incredible momentum so far, with 75% of the necessary funds already raised through community support and partnerships with local organizations like the La Grande School District, the City of Island City, and the Ford Family Foundation.
The PTO states that “given the significant total cost of the project, the Island City PTO and the Pathway Project Committee are pursuing multiple sources of support to raise the remaining 25% of the project cost. Our goal is to obtain the remaining $30,000 by mid-summer and begin the project by August 1, 2026.
Island City PTO is calling on the community to help bridge the final gap by mid-summer. Residents and businesses interested in supporting the project can scan the QR codes found on local flyer shown below or by contacting the Island City Elementary PTO directly.
