JOHNSTON, IOWA (December 18, 2019) — To commemorate Iowa Public Television's 50th anniversary, the City of Johnston has named the street on the corner of Pioneer Parkway and the entrance to Terra Park as "Friends Circle." This new street name honors Iowa Public Television's Friends Foundation and the relationship that IPTV has with the City of Johnston and the patrons of its neighbor, Terra Park. After petitioning the council on October 7, Parks and Recreation Director John Schmitz reviewed the proposed name change and the Park Advisory Board unanimously approved.
"It has been our privilege to educate, inform, enrich and inspire Iowans for the last 50 years," said Molly Phillips, executive director and general manager of Iowa Public Television. "Friends Circle conveys the perfect message to park patrons and residents of Johnston."
On December 16, the City of Johnston and IPTV brought together city leaders, staff, and community members to celebrate in Terra Park, unveiling IPTV's street sign and the city's newest public art sculpture, "Tree of Life," designed by artist Hilde DeBruyne with Hilde DeBruyne Art and Design.
For 50 years, Iowa Public Television has been Iowa's only statewide public broadcasting network. The City's street-naming gives honor to their past 50 years and celebration to the next 50 years. In 2020, Iowa Public Television will become Iowa PBS.
"Naming the street Friends Circle is being done to recognize the station's long presence here in Johnston as well as the relationship that we've had with IPTV for 50 years," said Mayor Paula Dierenfeld.
"IPTV has always brought the best of the world to Iowa — and the best of Iowa to the world," said Susan Moritz Scharnberg, president of the Iowa Public Television Foundation. "We will spend the next 50 years and beyond ensuring Iowa PBS can tell Iowa's stories like no one else can."
The ceremony was the final event of IPTV's yearlong celebration of its anniversary.
For more information about Iowa Public Television, please contact Susan Ramsey at 515.725.9703 or Susan.Ramsey@iptv.org.
Iowa Public Television is Iowa's only statewide television network. IPTV's mission to educate, inform, enrich, and inspire Iowans guides its quality, noncommercial programming that tells Iowa's stories like no one else can. Four statewide, public channels offer programs of lasting value to Iowans, regardless of where they live or what they can afford: IPTV (.1), IPTV KIDS (.2), IPTV WORLD (.3) and IPTV Create (.4) on Channel 11, Des Moines; Channel 12, Iowa City; Channel 21, Fort Dodge; Channel 24, Mason City; Channel 27, Sioux City; Channel 32, Waterloo; Channel 32, Council Bluffs; Channel 36, Davenport; and Channel 36, Red Oak. More information can be found at Iptv.org.
