 The Iowa DNR Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) assembly for Johnson County will be held at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 12, at the Terry Trueblood Park Lodge, 579 McCollister Blvd. REAP assemblies give Iowans an opportunity to discuss their visions for Iowa’s outdoor recreation, soil and water enhancement, historical resources, land management and more. We hope to see you there!
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 Iowa City Parks and Recreation was recently selected to receive two major grants to support a new nature play area at Riverfront Crossings Park, 1001 Clinton St. In August, the project was awarded a $50,000 play space grant from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and The Walt Disney Company, and in October, the National Parks Service contributed an additional $157,300 through a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant.
In addition to these grants, the project has received financial support from the Iowa City Pilot Club and private donations.
When Riverfront Crossings Park opens to the public in 2018, the nature play area will offer many options for play, as well as access to Ralston Creek. The plan includes some traditional playground pieces such as swings and a slide, as well as exploration areas created from land form, landscaping, and creek features. The entryway arches from the former Sabin Elementary School will also be incorporated into the play elements of the site.
"This area will be a unique playspace in the heart of Iowa City," Parks and Recreation Director Juli Seydell Johnson said. "Using natural features and a mixture of active and more passive, quiet spaces, we can create play experiences for a wide range of ages and abilities."
In addition to the nature play area, the new Riverfront Crossings Park will have trail connections to the Iowa River Trail, a 5-acre wetland area and new vistas of the Iowa River. Future phases of the park will add park shelters, restrooms, boat access to the Iowa River and a large community gathering event lawn.
To stay up-to-date on all Iowa City park planning projects, visit icgov.org/parksrecmasterplan.
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 The Parks and Recreation Department completed construction on a new playground in Upper City Park in September. This playground was the fourth installed this season. New playgrounds were also added at Frauenholtz-Miller Park, Cardigan Park, and Pheasant Hill Park.
With so many new projects it's easy to get swept up in the excitement, but we also want to remember the fun that was had at the old playgrounds.
Iowa City resident and SPI participant, Jonathan Dehn, remembers the old Upper City Park playground fondly. In a letter he wrote to ICPR he recalls, "I was nine and my brother was seven when the old playground in Upper City Park was brand new. We lived near the park at the time and walked down to play and when we arrived, a news crew was there. They took our pictures and asked us questions. We were some of the very first children to play on that playground. It will always be very special to me. I'm happy a whole new generation of kids will be able to enjoy the new playground."
We look forward to Iowa City families and visitors making new memories at these parks, too.
To stay up-to-date on all Iowa City park planning projects, visit www.icgov.org/parksrecmasterplan.
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 ICPR is pleased to welcome five new Green Iowa AmeriCorps members who will be working with energy efficiency and sustainability projects throughout the next year.
Want to make sure your house is sustainable? Want to save money on your utility bills? Green Iowa Americorps can help! Green Iowa Americorps (GIA) is a community service program dedicated to helping homeowners in Iowa City increase their energy efficiency through free home energy audits. During an audit, GIA will measure the level of air infiltration in your home and perform basic weatherization, if necessary, to reduce leakage. The members will also check your insulation, gas lines, water heater, aerators, and more, to make sure everything is energy efficient, running safely, and in top condition.
Interested in an energy audit? Call Rebecca, Megan, Whitney, Laura or Clare at 319-339-5399 or email greeniowaIC@gmail.com to schedule a free energy audit today.
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