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Neighborhood News is a quarterly newsletter from the City of Iowa City's Neighborhood Outreach Program, highlighting the great work of neighborhood associations and the people who live there. Each issue shares stories, projects, and initiatives that encourage community engagement and bring people together through collaboration.
For more than 30 years, the Neighborhood Outreach Program has strengthened Iowa City’s neighborhoods by supporting programs, events, and projects that matter to residents and enhance the quality of life in our community.
Please share this information with your neighbors, family, and friends. If you are reading as a non-subscriber, visit our subscription page to sign up for future editions.
What's in this quarter's issue:
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Neighborhood Stories: Highlights of inspiring neighborhood initiatives and projects.
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Neighborhood Events: Save the date for opportunities to connect with the community.
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Explore Community Programs: Information about local initiatives, efforts, and programs.
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City Resources: Important updates and services available to residents.
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Northside Neighborhood plans for a more connected 2025
The Northside Neighborhood Association is energized and ready to build stronger connections in 2025! On March 24, neighbors gathered at Mann Elementary School for the Annual Meeting. About 25 residents attended to discuss ongoing issues and activities in the neighborhood.
The meeting also included the election of a new slate of Steering Committee officers for 2025–26 and a special opportunity to meet newly elected City Council member Oliver Weilein.
Looking ahead, the association is focused on strengthening community ties. Plans are already underway to promote the Northside Neighbor-to-Neighbor Resource Guide, activate block mentors, and explore fresh ideas for community gatherings.
With momentum building and new leadership in place, the Northside is ready to turn connection into action in the year ahead.
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Eastside Neighborhood connects through play
On March 29, the Eastside Neighborhood Association brought neighbors together for a Gaming Day at the East Side Recycling Center. More than 50 residents turned out to enjoy tabletop games, light refreshments, and a chance to connect with one another.
The event was hosted in collaboration with Diversions, a new local business owned by Eastside residents, who provided a wide variety of games for all ages. Neighborhood volunteers helped facilitate different game stations, making it easy for everyone to jump in and join the fun.
The gathering gave residents a chance to meet new neighbors, reconnect with familiar faces, and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon. It was a great way to strengthen community ties and celebrate the power of play.
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Morningside-Glendale embraces sustainable landscaping
On April 6, the Morningside-Glendale Neighborhood Association partnered with Backyard Abundance to host a hands-on workshop focused on transforming traditional yards into vibrant, low-maintenance, eco-friendly spaces. The event began with a walking tour of Glendale Park, followed by a visit to a nearby neighbor's yard showcasing real-life examples of native landscaping.
Participants learned about native plants, lawn care, edible landscaping, and easy turf alternatives—all designed to support pollinators and reduce maintenance. Representatives from 100 Grannies also joined to share details about the Good Neighbor program, encouraging guests to enhance their yards with sustainability in mind.
Neighbors left with free seeds, native plants, and plenty of inspiration to bring new life to their landscapes.
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Egg-citement in Miller Orchard
The Miller Orchard Neighborhood Association hosted its annual Egg Hunt on April 20, for neighborhood families and children of all ages. Over 500 colorful eggs were hidden, each packed with treats and surprises.
The event was a fun and festive way to welcome spring and celebrate community spirit.
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Manville Heights is on the move
Manville Heights neighbors have been gathering monthly at the Iowa City Public Library, creating new connections and bringing together residents who hadn’t met before. These conversations inspired a neighborhood egg hunt on April 19—an energetic and joyful event that brought families together and showed just how much can grow from a simple gathering.
To keep the momentum going, the neighborhood is planning a Little Free Library scavenger hunt and a summer solstice potluck, as their sense of community continues to grow.
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South District neighbors roll up their sleeves for a cleaner community
On April 27, the South District Neighborhood Association hosted its annual “Team Up to Clean Up” event, bringing neighbors together to show some love to shared spaces across the neighborhood.
With support from local businesses, families, and even members of the University of Iowa football team, volunteers spent the morning clearing litter, tidying common areas, and spreading a little extra pride throughout the South District. The event continues to be a beloved tradition—proof that when neighbors team up, great things happen.
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Eastside Neighborhood partners with Bur Oak for native planting
The Eastside Neighborhood Association and Bur Oak Land Trust recently partnered to help neighbors bring more native plants into their yards through Bur Oak’s Backyard Biodiversity Program.
The collaboration kicked off with a backyard planting demonstration on April 19, where neighbors came together to learn about the role native plants and pollinators play in supporting healthy ecosystems. It was a morning of hands-on learning, connection, and community spirit.
Building on that momentum, the association and Bur Oak hosted a pop-up giveaway event on April 26 at Mercer Park. More than 50 area residents stopped by to pick up free native shrubs to enhance their yards and support local wildlife.
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Coffee, community & connection at Longfellow’s Sunday Socials
Join the Longfellow Neighborhood Association for their 3rd Sunday Socials, held every month from 10 a.m. to noon at the Longfellow Elementary Playground. Enjoy free coffee, pastries, and the opportunity to connect with neighbors. Please bring a mug, a chair, and a snack or drink to share if you’d like. All ages are welcome!
Upcoming dates: May 18, June 15, July 20.
Creekside sweetens community connections
The newly re-energized Creekside Neighborhood Association is kicking things off with a family-friendly dessert social! Join neighbors for sweet treats, good conversation, fun activities, and door prizes on Wednesday, June 11, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at McPherson Park.
Bring a dessert to share—or just stop by and enjoy the fun as Creekside begins building a more connected neighborhood.
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 Feel a draft at home?
Green Iowa AmeriCorps offers free home energy audits for Iowa City residents. During the visit, they’ll perform safety checks and conduct a blower door test to assess how airtight—or drafty—your home is. Based on the results, they can also provide minor weatherization improvements to help boost comfort and efficiency. To schedule an audit, email greeniowaic@gmail.com.
 Johnson County seeks input on aging and community needs
What does it mean to age successfully in Johnson County?
The Johnson County Livable Community for Successful Aging Policy Board is inviting residents aged 45 and older to share their experiences through a countywide livability survey. With about 22% of Johnson County’s population in this age group, feedback will help identify what makes the community livable—whether that’s safe streets, accessible transportation, age-friendly housing, or social connection.
The survey is available at www.livablecommunity.org.
Insights gathered will shape future strategies to make Johnson County a place where residents of all ages can thrive.
 Freedom, Culture, and Community showcased at the 2025 Juneteenth Celebration
Join the Black Voices Project on Thursday, June 19, from 1 to 10 p.m. at the South of 6 parking lot (925 Hwy 6 E) for the 2025 Juneteenth Celebration! This year’s theme—Reckoning: Reclaiming the Past, Remembering Black Voices, Reshaping the Future—honors Black history and resilience while celebrating community joy.
The free, family-friendly event will feature live performances, soul food, a fashion show, a kids zone, local vendors, and more. All are welcome to join in this day of culture, reflection, and unity.
 Celebrate community and creativity with Summer of the Arts events
Get ready for a season of creativity and connection! Summer of the Arts invites the community to come together and enjoy a lineup of free arts and cultural events designed to inspire, educate, and entertain:
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 Farmers Market season is here
Spend your Saturday mornings at the Iowa City Farmers Market, held from 7:30 a.m. to noon inside the Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp. Running from the first Saturday in May through the last Saturday in October, the market features fresh produce, unique crafts, live music, and ready-to-enjoy food and drink. It’s a vibrant way to support local vendors and enjoy the best of the season.
 Celebrate Bike to Work Week with breakfast
In honor of Bike to Work Week, the City of Iowa City will be serving a grab-and-go breakfast at Chauncey Swan Park at 405 E. Washington Street from 7 to 9 a.m. on May 14.
Vegetarian, vegan and egg-free options will be available while supplies last.
This event will happen rain or shine, so make sure to pedal on over to the park for a spoke-tacular breakfast courtesy of the City’s Climate Action Office and and the Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County.
For more Bike to Work Week events, visit Bike Iowa City’s website at https://bikeiowacity.com/event-calendar/.
 Celebrate Public Works Week at the Landfill & Recycling Center
In celebration of National Public Works Week, the City invites residents to get a behind-the-scenes look at how Iowa City handles waste, recycling, and resource recovery.
The event is from 1 to 3 p.m. on May 18 at the Landfill & Recycling Center at 3900 Hebl Ave. SW.
The open house will feature equipment and facility tours, educational activities, games, and refreshments for all ages. Plus, representatives from various City departments will be on hand to share information about their services and programs.
 Music, games, and more at Party in the Park
Gather with neighbors and friends for Iowa City’s annual Party in the Park series! Each Thursday from June 5 through July 31, a different park will host an evening of live music, games, crafts, STEAM activities, treats, and the Iowa City BookMobile. Events run from 6:30 to 8 p.m.—a perfect way to enjoy summer nights close to home.
Upcoming parks include:
- June 5: McPherson Park
- June 12: Happy Hollow Park
- June 19: Fairmeadows Park
- June 26: Scott Park
- July 10: Hunters Run Park
- July 17: Mercer Park
- July 24: Willow Creek Park
- July 31: Frauenholtz-Miller Park
- August 5: Wetherby Park
- August 7: Court Hill Park
- August 14: Brookland Park
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Little Free Libraries: A shared community resource
Little Free Libraries are meant to be a neighborly way to share books and spark joy across our neighborhoods. However, when someone clears out all the books at once, it causes real damage—it denies others the chance to discover a new story, connect with a shared space, or simply enjoy the act of giving and receiving. These libraries work best when everyone takes just a book or two and contributes back when they can. Let’s keep the spirit of sharing alive by treating these little libraries with care and intention.
Serve your community: Apply for a City Board or Commission
There are several openings across various City boards and commissions, including the Airport Commission, Community Police Review Board, Historic Preservation, Housing and Community Development, Library Board, and Planning and Zoning. To learn more about these vacancies and how to apply, visit the commission vacancies webpage: www.icgov.org/boardvacancies.
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Help Firefighters help you
The Iowa City Fire Department has partnered with Community Connect, a free platform that lets residents and business owners share key information to help firefighters better protect people and property. By creating a profile, you can include details like emergency contacts, garage codes, pets in the home, and any special needs. This info helps firefighters respond more efficiently in emergencies. Sign up for free at www.communityconnect.io/info/ia-iowacity.
Report issues easily with ICGovXpress!
Got a question, suggestion, or complaint for the City? ICGovXpress makes it easy! Whether it’s potholes, tree limbs blocking the road, a complaint about a neighbor’s tall grass, or even seeking clarity on a City policy, just visit www.icgov.org/report to let City staff know. The app is also available for your iPhone or Android device and can be found in the app store by searching “ICgovXpress.” You can even make reports anonymously! It’s a quick and efficient way to get things resolved, and many issues are addressed within just a few days.
Get the latest news
Stay in the loop by signing up for E-subscriptions at icgov.org/subscribe. Receive the latest updates on everything from road closures and construction to news from various boards, commissions, and committees. There’s always something happening in Iowa City, so subscribing keeps you informed on important news and events!
How to file a Complaint of Discrimination
Many situations that are unpleasant or upsetting may not qualify as unlawful discrimination. The key question is, "Was this because of a protected class you belong to?" Protected classes are characteristics we cannot change or shouldn’t be asked to change. If you believe you’ve experienced discrimination based on any protected class, including age, race, gender identity, disability, and more, you can file a complaint within 300 days of the incident. Complaints can be filed for issues in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and credit. To file, visit www.icgov.org/humanrights, email humanrights@iowa-city.org for a complaint form, or call 319-356-5015 for assistance.
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This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase recent projects, celebrate community efforts, and share inspiring stories happening across Iowa City's neighborhoods. Selected submissions will be featured in our next quarter's publication!
Submit stories about:
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PIN Grant Projects: Updates on funded projects and their impact.
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Community Collaborations: Stories of partnerships that have benefited specific neighborhoods.
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Neighbor-Led Initiatives: Creative efforts like neighborhood art or community gardens.
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Upcoming Events: Announcements of events, activities, or meetings to share.
How to submit:
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Write-Up: A short description (100-200 words) including the who, what, when, where, and why.
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Photos: Include photos that capture the essence of the story.
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Submit: Send stories and photos to EngageIC@iowa-city.org.
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