Downtown dog park construction planned for FY22

Residents later this year may get a new dog park closer to downtown Newton.

According to the city’s capital improvement plan, the project is scheduled for a fiscal year 2022 (July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022) construction in Sunset Park. Projects in the five-year CIP are subject to revision based on council direction.

Sunset Park is located about a half-mile north of First Avenue in the 100 block of North Sixth Avenue East. It has a baseball field, electricity, a small parking lot, a playground and a reservable shelter with restrooms.

The city estimates the dog park will cost $15,000 in TIF funds.

With more residential units in the downtown vicinity, the city says a nearby dog park would be an additional amenity for those choosing to live near that area. The city’s other dog park is west of town near Westwood Golf Course.

The idea for a dog park at Sunset was first proposed to the Newton Park Board last year. City staff noted the centralized location of the park as a huge benefit to citizens, who could take advantage of the rolling hills to wear out their pets.

Newton Community Services Director Brian Laube was given direction to act on the installation of a downtown dog park “a lot sooner” than initially planned. Introduction of more downtown apartments contributed to this effort.

“Laube added, “There’s a lot more people living downtown. Likely, that trend is going to increase, so the need for something like this, we feel, is there. Instead of having people to get in their car … and drive out to Westwood, this is something that is a fairly easy walk for most of downtown.”

Before deciding on Sunset, the city looked at two other locations: a lot west of Newton Village and the vacant lot west of Bank Iowa that has since been monitored for a potential splash pad for the community.

Sunset Park was well-received by the park board. Laube expected crews can fence off the dog park and possibly separate the facility to isolate small dogs from the larger breeds. A watering station would have to be installed, too.

The city has also planned $200,000 in capital improvements to Sunset Park in FY25. According to city documents, the park is dated and underutilized. The improvements will be implemented in two phases.

HBK Engineering developed the concept designs.

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