Sauk Valley Keystone Group

Formed in the Spring of 2018, and led by Sterling Main Street and the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce a group of young adults, millennials and Gen Zers, from across the Sauk Valley began meeting on a regular basis.   The goal for both Main Street and the Chamber was to better engage this demographic in community conversations.   In February 2020, the group changed its name to the Sauk Valley Keystone Group as an effort to move the group forward into its next chapter.

To take part in the Keystone Group, members must be born after 1981 and reside within the Sauk Valley area.  Interested parties can contact the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce or Sterling Main Street for additional information. Information can also be found on the Sauk Valley Keystone Group Facebook page.

Keystone Projects:

Dogwood Acres

The mission of Dogwood Acres is to create a safe space for our four-legged friends to run and play off-leash. Dogwood Acres is a fenced-in dog park within the city of Sterling, IL where people & their dogs can socialize and exercise in a clean & safe environment.

Phase 1 of the Keystone Group’s successful fundraising efforts was to raise $50,000. The funds were used for Dogwood Acre’s most basic necessities – fencing & sidewalks. The group is happy to announce that they met that goal the Dogwood Acres opened in Thomas Park in the fall of 2020 in partnership with the Sterling Park District.

For more information, and to register your dog, visit https://www.sterlingparks.org/location/dogwood-acres/

This project was powered by the Keystone Group, Sterling Main Street, Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and the Sterling Park District.