March 28, 2024

Sledding hill idea at Agnes Patterson Park under review

Proposed addition would use Arbor Estates dirt

Image 1 of 2

Agnes Patterson Park could repurpose the excess 100,000 cubic yards of dirt that will be unearthed later this year from the new Arbor Estates subdivision to create a public sledding hill, community services manager Brian Laube proposed last week to the Newton Park Board.

The sledding hill would be located along the southern edge of the highest elevated soccer field in the city-owned park or just northwest of the concession stand and gravel parking. Laube pitched the idea as a relatively inexpensive way to both dispose of the dirt and add another attraction to Agnes Patterson Park.

“This dirt is basically going to be free,” Laube told park board members June 19. “This sledding hill is another rec opportunity out there for kids that are in that neighborhood at essentially no cost other than seeding.”

However, Laube said he is unaware how much dirt it will take to create the sledding hill. Although Laube has spoken with Newton Housing Development Corporation (NHDC), which is in charge of the 70.7-acre undeveloped residential subdivision, the proposal must still be reviewed by the city engineer before a final plan is created.

Currently, the proposed sledding hill area is a mowed and maintained section of the park with no prairie grasses, butterfly habitats and very little bird nesting areas. Laube said crews might try to spade out five to seven trees and move them elsewhere to make room for the almost 40-foot hill.

Nick Cummins, park operations superintendent, estimated the proposed sledding hill would be comparable in height to the two hills at Sunset Park. Park board member Amanda Price said the hill was an “awesome idea,” especially considering the future housing developments at Arbor Estates.

“And the families you hope to have there,” Price said. “You’re going to have kids that are going to want to come to a cool place to sled.”

A proposed sledding hill, Laube said, benefits both the parks and recreation department and NHDC.

Laube added, “We get something out of it, and we help the NHDC with the cost of their project because (they’re) not having to truck all this dirt off site.”

The city will also secure some excess top soil to possibly use for re-crowning some of the soccer fields at Agnes Patterson Park.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com