Newton Park Board looks ahead to upcoming projects

Newton Park Board members discussed moving forward with a skate park, possible plans for 30-Acre Park, other future projects and park goals Wednesday night at Newton City Hall. Board members Amanda Price, Marc Jackson, chair Adam Vandall and administrative superintendent Nathan Unsworth were in attendance for the monthly meeting.

The board approved to begin work with American Ramp Company on an Aurora Park skate park design.

The firm will conduct a site visit, meet with local skaters about their needs, visit with the park board about their goals and come up with a cost estimate. A design will be presented possibly later this fall. The cost of the service is $5,000. Unsworth said it is typical for 10 percent of a project cost to go toward design.

“We’re going to move forward as a staff to get this started, and hopefully get a design and cost estimate put together so we can put that to budget,” Unsworth said.

A skate park has been a goal of the park board for awhile but was put on hold while playground and other timely projects were completed.

Also discussed was the 30-Acre Park design by the University of Iowa, but no action was taken.

The 60-page project design was elaborate with a cost estimate of $330,000, and the board liked the design elements and feature. It included trails, three bridges, restrooms, an archery range, a pond, trails and parking lots. The board would like to make half the park a terrain park and the other half a conservation park with trails.

The design project is a reference, or a starting point, for the park board as they look to develop the land in southeast Newton. It’s nice to have a plan and something to refer to, Unsworth said.

Jackson has reached out to Central Iowa Trail Association, a Midwest mountain bike organization, to find out if their members would like to get involved to help design the trails, possible maintenance and upkeep training, and they were very interested in the ideas.

CITA especially liked the location along the interstate and between Iowa City and Des Moines where a lot of bikers travel, Jackson said.

“When we want to start doing a trail design they are willing to come down give us there input and bring probably a dozen people or more and start working,” he said.

Newton Park Board Goals were also reviewed and revised at the meeting, however, no major changes were made.

Park goals were updated two years ago after research was done on the public input of park needs, ideas and improvements. Four objectives were established with the purpose of accomplishing associated projects in the next five years.

Those four objectives are:

• Develop a unique vision for each park to expand usage, and support projects that target certain user groups or residents from surrounding neighborhoods.

• Facilitate more recreational opportunities for citizens to develop health, active lifestyles and improve existing facilities.

• Promote projects that align with the city comprehensive plan, particularly those that improve aesthetic value of the parks.

• Increase outreach efforts, facility and amenities awareness, and encourage citizen involvement in park care.

Progress has been made on these goals in the last two years including improved athletic fields and courts, installation of restrooms, improved playgrounds and improved accessibility. Two more associated projects may soon be completed with the redesign of Aurora Park and development of 30-Acre Park.

The board noted city bike trail expansion, community recreational programs and long-term Maytag Pool care as future goals yet to be accomplished and discussed additional park priorities.

“Has there been any discussion between the city and the county about trying to attach ourselves to any other (bike) trails at all?” Price said.

There hasn’t been any dual discussion about bike trail expansion within the county. Unsworth said other counties have rural bike trails because of abandoned railroads, however, there are no abandoned railroads to work with locally.

All three board members discussed an interest in trails and a desire to see Newton connect with outside communities especially a connection with the Chihuahua Valley Trail at Baxter or with a future trail at Prairie City, both connecting to Polk County. A trail connection with Grinnell, Pella, Knoxville or Marshalltown would be desirable too.

A city staff discussion with county officials about bike trail expansion was added to the goal list.

Park goals will be sent to City of Newton Director of Planning and Zoning Erin Chambers to add to the city comprehensive plan.

Also at the meeting:

• The board approved an upcoming cyclocross event Oct. 22-23 at Maytag Park. Unsworth said the two-day event could bring 100 to 200 athletes and spectators to town which would be good for the local economy. Organizers expect some wear and tear to the park but event organizers will tend to all setup and cleanup.

• In September, the city will send out bid for boulder park and a request for proposal for Sunset Park, due in mid-September. At the September meeting will be talk about boulder park, Sunset Park and skate park design, if prepared. The next meeting was moved back a week and will be at 6:15 p.m. Sept. 28 at city hall.

• The annual Dog Swim will be Tuesday evening at Maytag Pool. A time has not been set. The Maytag pool closes for the season on Sunday.

Contact Kate Malott at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or kmalott@newtondailynews.com