 Parks and Forestry Superintendent Zac Hall shares some park plan ideas with residents who attended an open house intended to gather ideas for the future of the City Park.
City Park master plan
The increased frequency of flood events, combined with aging park amenities, has led Iowa City Parks and Recreation leaders to look at what the future of Lower City Park might be. The park has been hit heavily by floods in recent years, negatively impacting public and private events, the operation of three park amenities -- carnival rides, baseball diamonds, and Riverside Festival Stage performances and events -- as well as overall use of the park and area trails.
On Oct. 21, an open house was held to share some concepts generated by the landscape architecture firm Confluence, which has been hired to develop a park master plan. The open house also sought to gather ideas from the public regarding the future of their park: the park elements they want maintained, the uses or amenities they’d like to see added, reactions to the initial architectural concepts, as well as brand new ideas. Confluence is continuing to develop the plan and will return for another meeting in the near future.
Willow Creek Park and Kiwanis Park upgrades
Construction is now underway for improvements to Willow Creek Park and Kiwanis Park. Plans call for trail-paving and installation of new backstops, restrooms, and subdrain. The paving project is expected to be completed this fall, while restroom construction will continue into the winter. Seeding and other restoration in the parks will get underway next spring.
Riverfront Crossings Park concept plan
One of the key elements of the Riverfront Crossings master plan is the creation of a new riverfront park, which will be located at the former site of the City's North Wastewater Treatment Plant, which was recently demolished. The park will provide public open space, recreational facilities, trail connections, and access to the river and the adjacent mixed-use redevelopment area. In addition, it will serve as a more sustainable and natural means of flood protection for the adjacent urban neighborhood. Concept plans were recently released and are available at https://icgov.org/news/city-unveils-riverfront-crossings-park-concept-plans.
Ashton House gardens
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recently announced that the City of Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department and Project GREEN have been awarded a $154,079 Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) grant for the redevelopment and restoration of landscaping and gardens at the Ned Ashton House, 820 Park Road. The home's grounds were considerably damaged in the floods of 2008.
In 2011, the City bought the property to restore for use as a special events facility, and Project GREEN, a local nonprofit, volunteered to work with the City to rebuild the grounds and gardens and provide ongoing maintenance for what are now called, “The Project GREEN Gardens.”
The REAP grant will help provide funding to reconstruct the historic west terrace; build a pergola; repair the flood plain forest to stabilize soils and manage stormwater; develop a botanical garden with flood- and deer-tolerant plants; build a rain garden to enhance stormwater management; and install interpretive signage and plant markers for public education on historic, existing, and new plants.
For more information, visit https://icgov.org/news/city-and-project-green-receive-reap-grant-ashton-house-gardens.
The annual Iowa City
Holiday Markets, which give Farmers Market patrons an opportunity to
buy homegrown, homemade, and handcrafted holiday gifts and foods, are
scheduled Saturday, Nov. 14 and Saturday, Dec. 12. Both Holiday Markets will be
held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center, 220 S.
Gilbert Street. Vendors will be located in the gym on first floor and the
Social Hall on second floor. For more information, contact Tammy Neumann with
the Parks and Recreation Department at 319-356-5210.
The holidays are also a great time to give Parks and Recreation gift certificates that can be redeemed for an art class, exercise program, swim pass, or other activities. Gift certificates in any amount can be purchased with a credit card through ActiveNet at www.icgov.org/pr or in person during office hours at Robert A. Lee or Mercer / Scanlon recreational facilities with cash, check, or credit cards.
The Johnson County Agricultural Association has announced that it will sponsor Winter Farmers Markets, and has lined up at least 25 vendors to participate, providing meat, vegetables, eggs, baked goods, and craft items. The Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department will not sponsor winter markets in 2015 other than the two Holiday Markets.
Johnson County's Winter
Farmers Markets will be held two Sundays each month in Building C at the
Johnson County Fairgrounds, 4261 Oak Crest Hill Road SE in Iowa City: Nov. 8
and 22, Dec. 13 and 20, Jan. 10 and 24, Feb. 7 and 21, March 6 and 20, and
April 20 and 24. Hours will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call Brenda Christner at 319-325-4049 or e-mail JohnsonCoFair@gmail.com.
 As the air gets cooler, do you find it harder
and harder to get kids outside? Bring them to Tot Time at Mercer / Scanlon!
On Monday through Friday from 9 to 11:30 a.m., this program offers an indoor
play area that encourages jumping, riding, running, sliding, and other activities. Cost is $1.50 per
child per day. Punch cards and group rates are available. For more info, call
319-356-5109.
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What a beautiful time of year to explore Iowa City's trail system! Plan a hike or get out on your bike to enjoy the crisp fall air and the last of the leaf-turning color this month. To learn more, visit https://icgov.org/trails.
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