The Marion-East Cedar Rapids Rotary Club's Echo Hill Station project was dedicated on May 4, 2021 at the site at Lowe Park.  This has been a major undertaking for the Club. This was a truly community project with support from the Marion Parks Department and some funding from the Marion Hotel/Motel Tax Grant as well as the vast majority of support from businesses and individuals financially and in-kind.   David Nieuwsma, President of Collins Aerospace Avionics Business Unit spoke on the importance of the legacy of accomplishments employees and suppliers of Collins Radio and successors have provided to today's technology in space and how students today can carry on that legacy with education and career choices.  Mayor Nick AbouAssaly congratulated the Club on this addition to the community and the Lowe Park Art trail as did Parks Director Seth Staashelm. We  appreciate the support provided by our Club. The core committee of Don Stulken of the Arthur A. Collins Legacy Association, Tom Barnes and Erik Miles of the Club provided technical and historical guidance, physical fabrication and installation and project management for Echo Hill Station.   
 
   
 
We received several positive comments for our work as well as personal remembrances such as the following comments from Cynthia Stretch appreciating our work:
 
   
 
"I just learned about the Lowe Park Echo Hill Station project today.  I read on your site that the donation period has ended.  However, I would still like to make a contribution." 
 
"My motivation for this is very personal.  My father worked at Collins Radio from 1955-1968.  Without question, it was the highlight of his working life.  Even as a child, I felt his excitement and enthusiasm about what he and the company were accomplishing together.  The words "Echo,"  "radio wave propogation," "ionospheric forward scattering," and many more such terms I really didn't understand, were a part of my childhood.  I remember the electric mood as we watched the moon landing together in the basement of our Cedar Rapids home." 
 
"There are three stone markers at the Lowe Park Site.  One of them is entitled "Legacy".  There are two pictures beneath the title.  I believe the one on the left must be of Art Collins.  The one on the right includes a group of men.  The man on the right side of the photo nearest to the camera is Clifford Beamer, my father.  I am so moved to see him there, and ecstatic to think that the work he was so devoted to is still valued today."
 
"Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this project, from initial concept to completion.  It means more to me than you could know.
 
Very Sincerely,
Cynthia Stretch"