HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-14-2024 Parks and Recreation Commission Agenda PacketIf you will need disability-related accommodations to participate in this program/event, please contact
Gabe Gotera, Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department at 319-356-5210 or ggotera@iowa-city.org.
Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
Public Comment for each item will be limited to 3 minutes for each person and a total for no more than 30
minutes per item. Written comments submitted to parksandrecreation@iowa-city.org, prior to 5 p.m. on
Monday, August 12, 2024, will be distributed to the Commission in advance of the meeting.
AGENDA
ITEM 1 CALL TO ORDER
ITEM 2 APPROVAL OF JULY 10, 2024, MINUTES
ITEM 3 PUBLIC COMMENT ON ANY ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
The Commission cannot engage in discussion or debate. However, once the
commenter has left the stand, the Commission may ask staff to respond to
a concern or question posed by the public, or to follow up with the speaker.
ITEM 4 REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF
a) Parks and Recreation Director – Juli Seydell Johnson
ITEM 5 CHAIRS REPORT
ITEM 6 COMMISSION TIME/SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ITEM 7 ADJOURN
After adjournment, the Commission and the public are invited attend a ribbon cutting
ceremony, celebrating the opening of the Icehouse Single Track Trail at Terrell Mill Park.
Iowa City
Parks and Recreation Commission
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
5:00 p.m.
Terrell Mill Park
1201 N. Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA 52245
IOWA CITY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION PRELIMINARY
MINUTES OF JULY 10, 2024
MEETING ROOM B – ROBERT A. LEE RECREATION CENTER
Members Present: Connie Moore, Aaron Broege, Missie Forbes, Virginia Hayes, Rachel
McPherson, Brian Morelli, Caleb Recker
Members Absent: Alex Hachtman, Alex Stanton,
Staff Present: Juli Seydell Johnson, Gabe Gotera
Others Present: Mitzi Read
CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chairman Moore called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (to become effective only after separate Council
action):
Moved by Broege, seconded by Forbes, to recommend the approval of the park projects
(Brookland Park Playground, Calder Park Trail Connections, College Green Playground,
and New Park near Shannon Drive) as presented. Motion passed 7-0 (Hachtman and
Stanton absent).
OTHER FORMAL ACTION:
Moved by Recker, seconded by Broege, to approve the April 10, 2024, minutes. Motion
passed 6-0 (Hachtman, McPherson, and Stanton absent).
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
None
PARK PROJECTS REVIEW– Bolton & Menk; Consultant Ryan Anderson
Dir. Seydell Johnson introduces Ryan Anderson of Bolton & Menk, who is a consultant on the
next round of park projects. Seydell Johnson explains that Anderson will give a presentation on
each park project, after which the Commission will be asked to make a motion to recommend the
approval of the projects or not.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
July 10, 2024
Page 2 of 9
New Park Near Shannon Drive
Consultant Anderson with Bolton & Menk presents the attached PowerPoint presentation.
Commissioner McPherson arrives at 5:04 p.m.
Commissioner McPherson asks what time and day that the public input open house was held.
Dir. Seydell Johnson says that the open houses were held from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday,
July 8, with each park project having its own dedicated hour-long open house. Seydell Johnson
adds that there was an online survey of prompts from the open house available for 10 days after
this, allowing people who were unable to attend continue to participate.
Commissioner Forbes asks to hear more regarding the fire pit and what kind of feedback was
received. Dir. Seydell Johnson says that people were concerned about the safety of the fire pit
and the location’s proximity to houses. Seydell Johnson says that currently there is a fire pit at
both Cardigan Park and Calder Park, and that both are popular and get lots of use, but that the
issue lies in getting neighbors to be comfortable with the idea at first. Forbes asks how the fire
pits are managed as the mentioned parks. Seydell Johnson says that they are self-serve and that
there have been no issues in the 7 years since they have been installed. Commissioner Morelli
asks how much use the fire pits receive. Seydell Johnson says that there is use every weekend
with the occasional use during the week, commonly from local Scout Troops. Commissioner
Recker states that he lives close to Cardigan Park and confirms that the fire pit is used often for
family gatherings or child related events for fun activities like making s’mores. Forbes asks if
when negative feedback is received, is it brought up that there are two other parks in town that
already have fire pits. Seydell Johnson confirms that staff and consultants do speak on that, but
that the fire pit remains a notoriously hard sell.
Commissioner Hayes asks if there were any requests for amenities for older kids, given the
proximity to West High School. Consultant Anderson responds that responses showed a want for
a wide range of play experiences for different demographics. Anderson explains that the
demographic recommended is 5-12, which is the widest demographic available, serving kids a
bit younger than that as well. Dir. Seydell Johnson says that there was more public input received
asking to keep high school kids away from the park. Seydell Johnson explains that this input is
not reflected in the objective of the project, but that it was probably the biggest neighborhood
concern. Anderson asks the Commissioner to consider if the park color scheme should match
with the nearby West High School but highlights the importance for the park to be kept at a
neighborhood level and not an addition to the school system.
Commissioner Morelli ask about the reasoning for having a singular swing versus a more
traditional swing set. Consultant Anderson explains that the fall height radius of playground
equipment is a boundary defined by how high the equipment is and how far somebody would fall
if the jumped. Anderson explains further that traditional swing sets have a notoriously large fall
height radius that doesn’t fit in with the small footprint of the recommended playground.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
July 10, 2024
Page 3 of 9
Commissioner Recker asks if the playground with be covered with mulch. Consultant Anderson
confirms that it will be mulch. Recker asks if this will be the same for all the parks. Dir. Seydell
Johnson says that there are some parks that have pour-in-place, such as Willow Creek Park, the
Ped Mall, City Park, and part of Wetherby Park. This means that there is one park with pour-in-
place surfacing in each area of Iowa City, while all other parks have engineered wood fiber.
Recker asks if this is the preference for parks moving forward. Seydell Johnson responds that it
is used because it fits within the budgets, and it is what Parks staff are used to maintaining.
Commissioner Recker, notes the public feedback requesting a climbing structure, and asks if the
structure in the rendering is what staff is planning to move forward with. Dir. Seydell Johnson
confirms that both the climbing structure and the climbing wall are the recommended design,
explaining that this is the most that would be allowed within the budget.
Commissioner Broege, notes the public feedback suggesting that park users value their privacy,
asking if there was considered when designing the park. Dir. Seydell Johnson clarifies that that
feedback had more to do with the neighbors to the north and their privacy from park users.
Seydell Johnson says that to help address these concerns, staff have planted 28 trees that were
left over from a separate project, allowing the privacy block to be added at no additional cost.
Seydell Johnson adds that these neighbors already have a chain link in place. Broege asks for
confirmation that the privacy concerns are for residents around the park and not for the park
users themselves. Seydell Johnson confirms this.
Commissioner Moore says that she likes to ask, what can a child a wheelchair do in the park and
is glad to see a swing structure where if a child is unable to sit upright on their own, they can lay
out on it. Dir. Seydell Johnson says staff typically see kids laying down in that swing structure.
Seydell Johnson points out the curved black portion of the climbing structure, noting that staff
are looking at to see how it adapts to park users that need a wheelchair or have limited mobility.
Seydell Johnson says that this is the first-time staff have installed that item but that it was part of
the choice for including it in the recommend design. Consultant Anderson says that as seen in the
recommended options, playground manufactures are becoming more aware of the need for
accessibility in modern playgrounds, whether it’s an actual wheelchair compliant ramp, or
something that is accessible and playable and within reach.
Brookland Park Playground
Consultant Anderson with Bolton & Menk presents the attached PowerPoint presentation.
Dir. Seydell Johnson says for those unfamiliar, the park is located on Mrytle West of Riverside
Drive and that the project is being paid for from neighborhood open space funds. Seydell
Johnson explains that anytime that there is development, a certain amount of money is received
to either acquire new park lands or make renovations at a park. Seydell Johnson says that park is
100 years old, and that the neighborhood is looking forward to the renovation, after which they
will have a big centennial celebration.
Commissioner Recker references the design, asking what it meant by a “Sidewalk with
Thickened Edge”. Consultant Anderson explains that for the edge of playground surfacing, staff
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
July 10, 2024
Page 4 of 9
like for maintainability to have some kind of hard edge to keep the engineered wood fibers
within the footprint of the playground.
College Green Park Playground
Consultant Anderson with Bolton & Menk presents the attached PowerPoint presentation.
Commissioner Recker asks if the basketball hoop be adjustable, by either staff or park users.
Consultant Anderson confirms that the basketball will be adjustable by staff but is unsure if park
users will be allowed to freely do so, leaving it up to staff to decide on the operations.
Commissioner Morelli confirms that in recent years when his local park was renovated, the
basketball hoop can be adjusted by park users.
Vice Chairman Moore asks if the gazebo will be included in the renovation. Consultant
Anderson responds that the first steps of the project were to determine the area of the project.
Anderson confirms that the project will not include the gazebo, and that a hard line was drawn
around the western quadrant of the park including the playground and the basketball court.
Anderson explains that this was made to planned to minimize the square footage of what the
project will touch.
Commissioner Morelli asks if the play structure will be smaller than the current structure.
Consultant Anderson says that the play structures will not be significantly different in size, but
that the footprint of the playground will be larger, making the play structure look smaller in
comparison. Morelli asks if there is consideration for hammock posts, due to its placement
amongst student housing. This feedback led to the specific decision to not have hammock posts.
Morelli asks when the playground was last replaced. Seydell Johnsons answers that she does not
know the exact year, she does know that playground is the second oldest playground, only
behind Brookland Park.
Commissioner Recker says that another option along the lines of hammock posts, is to install
fixed posts for slack lining that can be easily attached and removed for programming. Dir.
Seydell Johnson says that there are 2 hammocks put out at Kiwanis Park and that staff are
watching those see what kind of use they get. Seydell Johnson adds that hammocks are
something that can be easily added down the line if they are desired.
Vice Chairman Moore asks if there is room in the budget for a fire pit. Dir. Seydell Johnson
responds that the idea was not popular among the neighborhoods.
Commissioner Broege asks what surfacing is planned for the basketball court. Consultant
Anderson confirms that the court will be poured with concrete and applied with a topping for
color.
Commissioner McPherson asks if there was a park shelter planned for the New Park near
Shannon Drive. Dir. Seydell Johnson confirms that there will be a small park shelter with 2-3
picnic tables, comparing it to the shelters seen at Villa Park, Cardigan Park, and Frauenholtz-
Miller Park.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
July 10, 2024
Page 5 of 9
Calder Park Trail Connection
Consultant Anderson with Bolton & Menk presents the attached PowerPoint presentation.
Moved by Broege, seconded by Forbes, to recommend the approval of the park projects
(Brookland Park Playground, Calder Park Trail Connections, College Green Playground,
and New Park near Shannon Drive) as presented. Motion passed 7-0 (Hachtman and
Stanton absent).
Commissioner Recker asks when there is project related recommendations, if a high level budget
tied to the projects can be presented that would break down costs like consultation or playground
purchases. Dir. Seydell Johnson responds while that hasn’t been done before, staff could
certainly start the practice of doing so, as the projects are usually refined to the point of around
60% when they are presented to the Commission.
PARK NAMING: NEW PARK NEAR SHANON DRIVE – Dir. Seydell Johnson
Dir. Seydell Johnson explains that this item is only an introduction on a subject, and that there
will be no choice made at this meeting. Seydell Johnson says that the Park name was part of the
public input gathered earlier in the project. Options included a lot of Irish related names, due to
the Irish named streets in the neighborhood. Other options being well known individuals to the
area, such as Caitlin Clark or Ashton Kutcher. Seydell Johnson says that the August Commission
meeting will be an on-site for the opening if the Single Track trail at Terrel Mill Park, so
Commissioners should plan to bring name ideas to the September Commission meeting. Seydell
Johnson clarifies that Commissioners should avoid any names associated with West High School
due to the City’s practice to stay neutral, and that if they have any people that they want to name
the park after, to let staff know ahead of time so that staff can start gathering background
information.
REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF:
Parks and Recreation Director – Dir. Seydell Johnson
City Park Pool: Dir. Seydell Johnson announces that staff and consultants have been working
with the Council-approved, Option A but with the ability to look at having either 2 or 3 pools.
Seydell Johnson says that it is looking like it will end up with having 3 pools with the leisure
pool being separate from the lap pool and the diving well.
Dir. Seydell Johnson states that staff have been comparing the current channel versus play
equipment and are leaning towards play equipment due to safety concerns heard about the
current channel and the added expense of ongoing maintenance and pumps that would be
necessary for the channel. Staff thoughts are that the swap to play equipment will bring the
budget back down to $18 million and would allow more features like splash pad or playgrounds
in the zero depth. Seydell Johnson describes the goal for the play equipment to be fun but not too
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
July 10, 2024
Page 6 of 9
loud and to give more options for adding a play structure that would cater for the middle school
crowd, like a climbing wall off the diving well or basketball hoops.
Dir. Seydell Johnson announces that staff are starting to see architectural renderings from
consultants on what the bath house might look like but explains that it is still too early to be
shared with the Commission.
Commissioner Hayes asks for staff to pay special attention to the noise created by the splash
features, explaining that she still wants to be able to hear birds singing and kids playing in the
park. Dir. Seydell Johnsons clarifies that there will not be a bucket with a heavy drop of water,
but more like fountains.
Commissioner McPherson asks that when Council considers having 3 separate pools at City Park
Pool, to keep in mind the focus that families want to be able to play together in the pool. Dir.
Seydell Johnson believes that having 3 separate pools will cater to that ideal, with room in the
lap pool for adults while leaving the bigger play areas for families to use together.
Juli
Commissioner Morelli, asks regarding total play area, how does the proposed new pool compare
to the current pool. Dir. Seydell Johnson explains that the proposed pool has been calculated by
bather load, which is very similar to the current bather load. Seydell Johnsons speaks about the
possibility of preparing a graphic of the proposed pool plan overlaid on top of the current pool.
Seydell Johnson does note that the pool design likely cannot be expanded any more, due to the
estimated costs totaling $18.39 million while the budget goal is $18 million.
Skate Park: Dir. Seydell Johnson announces that staff have seen designs that are estimated to
cost $2 million. Staff have applied for a $200,000 grant which would increase the budget from
$1.8 million to $2 million. Staff are expecting to hear back regarding the grant in mid-August but
are confident that the project can be pulled off even if the grant is not received. The project
should go out to bid Fall of 2024.
Parks: Dir. Seydell Johnson notes that as of late, there might be garbage issues throughout the
parks system, due to the Parks division garbage truck often breaking down. Seydell Johnson
explains that Parks staff have been lifting the garbage into their regular trucks and driving them
to the dumpsters. Staff are hopeful for the garbage truck to be operational within a week.
Dir. Seydell Johnson refers to recent storms, explaining that Forestry staff have been busy
clearing away damaged trees across the city.
Dir. Seydell Johnson announces that the August Commission meeting will be an on-site meeting
for the opening of the Ice House Single Track Trail at Terrell Mill Park. The meeting was
originally planned for June 2024, but was delayed due to the high ground water and river level.
Vice Chairman Moore asks about the status of the Mercer Park Pickleball Courts. Dir. Seydell
Johnson explains that the courts are not quite complete but that park users have already begun
playing on them. The nets are set up, but the fences need to be installed. Seydell Johnson expects
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
July 10, 2024
Page 7 of 9
the courts to be completed by the expected date of July 15, 2024. Seydell Johnson reminds that
the City Park tennis courts have been delayed at least another month due to the ground water
levels.
CHAIRS REPORT:
None
COMMISSION TIME/SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Commissioner Recker asks if there can be an update included in the Staff Report items for next
meeting regarding the plans Mercer Park ball fields transitioning to the school district. Dir.
Seydell Johnson says that it likely wouldn’t be ready until September, but that it can included
sometime this Fall. Seydell Johnson gives the context that the Mercer baseball/softball project is
now going to be managed by the school district instead of the city. Seydell Johnson says that she
will see if someone from the school district can come present.
Commissioner McPherson refers to the trail that crosses Muscatine Ave and 1st Ave that have
flashing yellow lights, describing the traffic on this trail crossing as hairy and dangerous to cross
safely. McPherson asks about what can be done to make the crossing safer. Dir. Seydell Johnson
says that this would not be in the jurisdiction of the Parks and Recreation department but says
that she can pass the information on to the pertinent City staff.
Commissioner Morelli relays some points heard from a constituent regarding the Mercer ball
fields. (1) When Field 4 is being taken out of commission for the softball field, what are the
plans to replace the capacity specifically for the younger kids or different leagues. (2) What was
the process that the city used to decide to get rid of one of the ball fields. (3) An expressed desire
to form a “Friends of …” group that would help maintain the fields and what the possibilities are
for some small storage to keep rakes and other equipment. On this same point, there could be
periodic volunteer days to do maintenance or raise funds to help support upgrades. Dir. Seydell
Johnson responds to point (3), saying that the constituent should make contact with one of the
youth sports associations, that already have agreements in place for storage access. Seydell
Johnson says that she does not have specific answers to the other points at this time but will
include with an item at the September meeting.
Commissioner Morelli describes a group that he came across that have morning coffee meetups
at 6:30 a.m. using various parks across Iowa City. He says he saw them on social media and
checked it out, finding it to be very neat. Dir. Seydell Johnson says that she saw them using
College Green Park recently.
Commissioner Forbes asks if there is a better way can be worked out to indicate when City Park
Pool is closed for private events. Forbes says that multiple people have said to her that they were
made the trip to the pool and at the last moment saw signs saying that it was closed for private
events. Forbes explains that she is not keen on closing the only outdoor pool for private events,
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
July 10, 2024
Page 8 of 9
but that if it must happen it should be posted on social media or something akin. Dir. Seydell
Johnson said that she can investigate it and follow up.
Vice Chairman Moore asks if there are any plans to install Wi-Fi in the parks, specifically Lower
City Park. Dir. Seydell Johnson says that some parks already have Wi-Fi, supplied by ImOn
Communications. Seydell Johnson says that the program is expanding but is unsure of when
Lower City Park is expected to receive Wi-Fi. Moore asks if it is possible to receive a list of
parks with Wi-Fi, so that it can be shared with people that want to study outdoors.
Vice Chairman Moore asks if there is anything planned for the last week of the season at City
Park Pool. Dir. Seydell Johnson says that Recreation staff are looking at the possibility of some
kind of event, but that Recreation Supt. Barker would have more information. Seydell Johnson
does note that City TV staff have been on-site interviewing people to get memories and thoughts
about the pool.
Vice Chairman Moore asks about the downtown ped mall play structure specifically the climbing
structures that get dirty and become hard to clean, and the surfacing that seems to be coming off
in chunks. Dir. Seydell Johnson says that staff have been working with the contractor on the
subject. Seydell Johnson explains that the climbing structures are not getting dirty in the usual
way, but that the rubber surfacing is coming off the ground and clinging to the structures. Seydell
Johnson says that there is a quote from the company on repair, but that staff are hoping for the
contractor to pay for repairs as it was the surfacing that has likely failed in certain spots. Ideally,
the problem will be solved by this upcoming Fall. Seydell Johnson says that Parks staff have
tried a lot of ideas to clean the structures themselves but to no avail.
Vice Chairman Moore refers to the North Market Square Park playground where Mann
Elementary students often play. Moore says that there is a student in wheelchair and wonders if
it’s possible to work with the school district to install an adaptive swing. Dir. Seydell Johnson
says that there are already plans in the works, explaining that that park will have renovations in
2-3 years. Seydell Johnson states that the school district has set aside some money for an
accessible rocker that is seen at other playgrounds. Once the park renovations begin, the school
will purchase the accessible piece. Moore asks if the public finds accessible play structures that
they are interested in how that can be recommended. Seydell Johnson recommends sending the
product her way to look over.
ADJOURNMENT:
Moved by Morelli, second by Forbes, to adjourn the meeting at 6:03 p.m. Motion passed 7-
0 (Hachtman and Stanton absent).
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
July 10, 2024
Page 9 of 9
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused NM = No meeting
LQ = No meeting due to lack of quorum * = Not a member during this meeting
NAME
TERM
EXPIRES
08
/
0
9
/
2
0
2
3
09
/
1
3
/
2
0
2
3
10
/
2
7
/
2
0
2
3
11
/
0
9
/
2
0
2
3
12
/
1
3
/
2
0
2
3
01
/
1
0
/
2
0
2
4
02
/
1
4
/
2
0
2
4
03
/
1
3
/
2
0
2
4
04
/
1
0
/
2
0
2
4
05
/
1
5
/
2
0
2
4
06
/
1
2
/
2
0
2
4
07
/
1
0
/
2
0
2
4
Aaron
Broege
12/31/24 X X
X X X X O/E NM X NM NM X
Missie
Forbes
12/31/25 X X X O/E X X X NM O/E NM NM X
Alex
Hachtman
12/31/24 X X X X X X X NM X NM NM O/E
Virginia
Hayes
12/31/27 * * * * * X X NM X NM NM X
Rachel
McPherson
12/31/26 X X X X X X X NM X NM NM X
Connie
Moore
12/31/25 X X X X X X O/E NM X NM NM X
Brian
Morelli
12/31/25 X X O/E O/E X X O/E NM X NM NM X
Caleb
Recker
12/31/26 * * X X X O/E X NM O/E NM NM X
Alex
Stanton
12/31/27 X X X O/E X X X NM O/E NM NM O/E
Day Date 6-7a 7-8a 8-9a 9-10a 10-11a 11-12p 12-1p 1-2p 2-3p 3-4p 4-5p 5-6 p 6-7p 7-8p Daily Rec Totals Water Fitness Swim Lessons Event # Count Event Name
Monday 1-Jul 6 2 5 8 4 9 6 40 13
Tuesday 2-Jul 6 3 5 3 5 9 8 39
Wednesday 3-Jul 6 1 6 5 8 6 4 36 13
Thursday 4-Jul 3 2 4 4 6 6 0 25
Friday 5-Jul 6 0 4 8 8 13 2 41 11
Saturday 6-Jul 4 1 3 0 2 5 2 17 5
Sunday 7-Jul 9 $2 Swim
Monday 8-Jul 6 1 3 9 6 11 10 46 13
Tuesday 9-Jul 7 4 1 5 8 8 1 34
Wednesday 10-Jul 7 0 3 14 9 4 3 40 14
Thursday 11-Jul 7 1 3 7 7 4 3 32
Friday 12-Jul 5 3 2 12 8 10 3 43 10
Saturday 13-Jul 6 1 7 4 4 3 1 26 5
Sunday 14-Jul 64 20 $2 Swim
Monday 15-Jul 7 1 6 6 6 14 3 43
Tuesday 16-Jul 6 1 12 4 7 11 1 42
Wednesday 17-Jul 7 1 1 14 8 6 4 41 16
Thursday 18-Jul 6 2 5 4 12 7 6 42 4
Friday 19-Jul 6 1 6 3 14 9 1 40 11
Saturday 20-Jul 5 2 9 4 3 4 0 27 2
Sunday 21-Jul 65 25 $2 Swim
Monday 22-Jul 5 8 7 10 10 12 1 53 16
Tuesday 23-Jul 6 8 6 12 16 14 5 67 2
Wednesday 24-Jul 9 6 7 10 13 20 3 68
Thursday 25-Jul 10 5 6 7 6 10 7 51 3
Friday 26-Jul 6 1 4 8 19 11 8 57 12
Saturday 27-Jul 6 5 1 4 6 5 4 31 5
Sunday 28-Jul 60 19 $2 Swim
Monday 29-Jul 3 8 3 11 15 17 11 68 20
Tuesday 30-Jul 10 6 6 13 8 26 5 74
Wednesday 31-Jul 9 2 7 12 16 14 7 67 17
170 76 132 201 234 268 109 Grand Total
1190 192 189 73 1644
1134 38.4 6.2 6.1 2.4 53
Note: Mercer Park Aquatic Center pool was closed for repairs July 20 - 31.text
Robert A Lee Recreation Center - Indoor Swimming Pool Totals - July 2024
Total Scans:
Totals:
Averages:
Hourly Totals:
Day Date 6-7a 7-8a 8-9a 9-10a 10-11a 11-12p 12-1p 1-2p 2-3p 3-4p 4-5p 5-6 p 6-7p 7-8p Daily Rec Totals Water Fitness Swim Team Event # Count Event Name
Monday 1-Jul 8 14 13 21 9 6 8 23 13 7 7 9 5 2 145 8 117
Tuesday 2-Jul 8 4 12 10 16 13 9 11 83 3 92 37 $2 Swim
Wednesday 3-Jul 4 13 9 22 11 7 7 11 3 11 13 5 24 5 145 117
Thursday 4-Jul 2 11 15 8 5 11 6 10 68 5 117 27 $2 Swim
Friday 5-Jul 10 6 20 16 18 17 14 8 19 11 8 11 6 3 167 4 92
Saturday 6-Jul 2 4 9 5 3 4 3 13 11 17 10 8 8 1 98
Sunday 7-Jul 25 6 16 19 32 15 6 6 2 127
Monday 8-Jul 7 20 14 23 12 20 9 14 5 5 15 8 8 5 165 9 117
Tuesday 9-Jul 1 14 9 6 8 12 2 8 15 11 22 3 111 3 92 33 $2 Swim
Wednesday 10-Jul 5 14 13 20 7 6 11 12 11 5 19 21 10 2 156 117
Thursday 11-Jul 1 7 13 10 1 21 22 15 16 10 16 4 136 7 117 37 $2 Swim
Friday 12-Jul 6 11 9 20 14 10 1 10 9 9 25 10 4 6 144 5 92
Saturday 13-Jul 0 0 0 1 0 6 13 8 18 13 18 4 19 5 105
Sunday 14-Jul 0 13 17 18 15 7 11 11 2 94
Monday 15-Jul 7 16 18 16 14 19 11 13 18 11 23 9 8 0 183 6 117
Tuesday 16-Jul 6 13 9 11 38 18 10 19 18 16 8 4 170 2 92 14 $2 Swim
Wednesday 17-Jul 0 20 15 15 13 9 5 19 14 5 12 13 8 10 158 117
Thursday 18-Jul 8 16 7 7 14 11 18 4 11 12 10 5 123 117 28 $2 Swim
Friday 19-Jul 5 12 15 19 32 10 9 11 11 6 8 10 12 6 166 2 92
Saturday 20-Jul Swim Meet
Sunday 21-Jul Swim Meet
Monday 22-Jul Closed For Repair
Tuesday 23-Jul Closed For Repair
Wednesday 24-Jul Closed For Repair
Thursday 25-Jul Closed For Repair
Friday 26-Jul Closed For Repair
Saturday 27-Jul Closed For Repair
Sunday 28-Jul Closed For Repair
Monday 29-Jul Closed For Repair
Tuesday 30-Jul Closed For Repair
Wednesday 31-Jul Closed For Repair
80 195 200 178 133 191 192 261 236 214 240 174 185 65 Grand Total
2544 54 1605 176 4379
1985 82.1 1.7 51.8 5.7 141.3
1125
ICE = 92 (includes masters)36.3
Mercer Park Aquatic Center - Indoor Swimming Pool Totals - July 2024
Totals:
Averages:
Total using Robert A. Lee Pool Open Hours
Average using Robert A. Lee Pool Open Hours
Total Scans:
Staff Training
Holiday
Closed
Hourly Totals
Day Date 6-7a 7-8a 8-9a 9-10a 10-11a 11-12p 12-1p 1-2p 2-3p 3-4p 4-5p 5-6 p 6-7p 7-8p Daily Rec Totals Water Fitness Swim Lessons Event # Count Event Name
Monday 1-Jul 24 11 13 0 23 23 49 14 10 13 20 1 201 10
Tuesday 2-Jul 4 0 7 108 21 33 20 193
Wednesday 3-Jul 5 3 7 0 45 178 88 72 67 113 60 32 670 205 Water Wednesday (Beach Ball Bash)
Thursday 4-Jul 5 2 12 0 2 22 47 39 40 169
Friday 5-Jul 8 6 17 8 8 14 14 18 25 29 22 1 170 4
Saturday 6-Jul 4 3 6 32 34 55 55 93 135 120 83 31 18 14 683
Sunday 7-Jul 3 3 3 6 5 2 3 6 40 23 29 9 4 136
Monday 8-Jul 10 5 8 1 20 67 30 59 36 33 60 17 346 8 59
Tuesday 9-Jul 4 7 11 1 25 104 34 41 26 253 59 4 Junior Lifeguard class
Wednesday 10-Jul 16 22 14 0 63 90 35 47 60 347 61 0 Water Wednesday (ICLG for the night/cancelled)
Thursday 11-Jul 4 16 14 1 46 80 83 2 0 246 58
Friday 12-Jul 11 9 20 38 24 126 100 105 102 79 91 39 744 9.0 209.0 Food Truck Friday
Saturday 13-Jul 6 8 8 35 34 85 74 97 158 110 73 688 12
Sunday 14-Jul 5 1 1 7 23 87 87 113 123 115 97 102 66 42 869
Monday 15-Jul 10 5 12 0 60 63 89 36 51 326 60
Tuesday 16-Jul 5 9 10 38 8 92 32 29 17 240 59 6 Junior Lifeguard class
Wednesday 17-Jul 36 14 8 1 57 103 60 55 54 59 76 31 554 60 166 Water Wednesday (Swim and Sounds)
Thursday 18-Jul 4 23 16 0 52 139 57 291 50
Friday 19-Jul 17 16 21 26 23 100 43 28 27 36 24 17 378 6 77 Food Truck Friday
Saturday 20-Jul 9 3 5 8 14 8 5 16 28 34 35 15 60 10 250 5
Sunday 21-Jul 5 2 4 14 17 31 31 44 56 72 80 70 24 13 463
Monday 22-Jul 16 17 14 0 46 81 20 56 45 42 57 18 412 12 70
Tuesday 23-Jul 4 10 11 3 34 98 89 38 28 315 69 Junior Lifeguard class
Wednesday 24-Jul 12 10 7 0 12 64 26 28 19 27 30 17 252 74 Water Wednesday (Shark Week)
Thursday 25-Jul 6 25 10 0 12 88 107 248 64
Friday 26-Jul 11 23 16 34 30 94 85 55 40 67 79 21 555 8 167 Food Truck Friday
Saturday 27-Jul 5 9 4 23 22 55 65 60 104 113 60 7 10 4 541 6
Sunday 28-Jul 2 4 4 13 31 50 64 68 103 91 41 22 493
Monday 29-Jul 7 7 7 3 35 94 59 57 33 75 71 22 470 8 54
Tuesday 30-Jul 15 10 0 25 22 41 40 153 55 6 Junior Lifeguard class
Wednesday 31-Jul 3 3 63 124 80 45 51 129 123 20 641 55 20 Water Wednesday (Swimtroduction)
258 288 296 125 149 493 1071 2431 1978 1553 1351 1027 936 341 Grand Total
12297 88 833 934 14152
396.7 2.8 26.9 30.1 456.5
text
City Park Pool - Outdoor Swimming Pool Totals - July 2024
Averages:
Totals:
Closed for weather:
Hourly Totals:
Ending Balance:$224,456.86
June 01, 2024 - June 30, 2024
Beginning Balance:$216,190.15
Total Fund Income:$8,319.07
Total Fund Expenses:$52.36
Community Foundation of Johnson County
City of Iowa City Parks and Recreation Accounts
Iowa City Parks and Rec Endowment Fund
Statement Activity
Iowa City Parks and Rec Charitable Giving Fund
June 01, 2024 - June 30, 2024
Beginning Balance:$49,140.50
Total Fund Income:$0.00
Total Fund Expenses:$1,048.56
Ending Balance:$48,091.94
Statement Activity
1 Iowa City Parks and Recreation Commission Packet | City of Iowa City
Iowa City Parks & Recreation Commission Packet
August 2024
Upcoming Events
• Iowa City Farmers Market – Season continues through October
• Party in the Park – Season continues on Thursdays through August 15; 6:30-8 pm; various park locations
• Water Wednesdays – Season continues on Wednesdays through August 21; 5-8 pm; City Park Pool
• Hydrant Parties – August 15 (Pheasant Ridge), 1-3 pm
• Yoga in the Park –August 10 (Ned Ashton House), 9:30-10:15 am
• Get Outside: An Outdoor Rec Fest – September 29, 10 am – 2 pm; Lower City Park
• U of I Deeded Body Program – September 20, 1:30 pm – Oakland Cemetery
Notable from Parks & Recreation Staff
Parks:
• Staff have been busy keeping parks mowed and areas maintained. This is the first year in recent memory
when the grass hasn’t slowed its growth during July.
• Pickleball and tennis courts are playable at Mercer Park with some remaining items before they are
complete and the courts at City Park will also be complete this fall.
• The single track trail is ready for riders at Terrell Mill. Riders should check trail conditions and stay off
the trails if they are leaving tracks. Some portions of the trail are underwater from our regular rains and
elevated river levels, but the main loop is rideable.
• Storms continue to cause tree damage throughout the city, and we continue to respond to multiple
after-hours service calls each month.
• We are in the hiring process for part time seasonal staff to help us finish out the fall season as many of
our summer staff have left for school, other jobs, or maxed out their allowable hours.
• Design work for the new skate park is ongoing with construction planned for next year.
• Design work is approaching completion for College Green, Brookland, Calder, and the new park on
Shannon Drive.
• We are applying for an Iowa DNR Resource Enhancement and Protection Grant for a proposed $200,000
restoration of the Sycamore Greenway.
Recreation:
• Ashton House is transitioning from a rental facility into a satellite recreation facility with an emphasis on
adaptive recreation. The majority of adaptive recreation programs will now take place in this facility and will
2 Iowa City Parks and Recreation Commission Packet | City of Iowa City
be the primary office location for the Program Supervisor overseeing those operations. The public is
welcome to attend a housewarming party from 5:30-7:30 pm on Monday, September 9.
• The Fall Activity Guide is available online and as physical copy. Registration begins August 13th for Iowa City
residents and August 14th for the general public.
Facilities:
• Ashton house roof-
o Roof is set to be installed before the end of October.
Installing a Metal shingle roof.
• Mercer pool-
o Reopened Monday August 5th.
o Caulked control joints and fixed missing tile in and around the pool.
• Riverside Festival Stage Construction is nearing completion-
o Painters are touching up a few spots.
• Senior Center construction, phase Two-
o Windows, Doors, Locks/Alarm.
o In design phase.
• Scanlon Gym Roof/Sky Lighting project-
o Is 40% complete and is still on schedule to be completed by the end of August weather permitting.
• City Hall Roof-
o Bids opening is August 13th.
o Project will take a couple of months to complete.
• Fairmeadows Splashpad-
o We are having issues with pipes broken under the play features.
o We are working with the installer to see about repairs.
Cemetery:
• Staff continues to water and cage the new young trees planted this spring.
• Requesting quotes for 2010 ADA compliance projects.
Top Staff Issues
Parks
• Weather, equipment failures, and low seasonal staff levels are combining to challenge our capacity to
keep all operations functioning at the high level we take pride in. Staff continues to be resourceful and
work together to complete all tasks.
Recreation
• Rain and weather inconsistencies have provided challenges for some outdoor programs and events.
3 Iowa City Parks and Recreation Commission Packet | City of Iowa City
• Program Supervisors are hiring and training new staff and returning students following break in
anticipation of fall programming.
Facilities
• Staff has had roller coaster of facility issues over the last few months that have stretched our staff thin
but we are prevailing and making permanent needed fixes.
Cemetery:
• Staff is still busy with keeping up with the growing grass. Mowing and trimming has been the major
focus this entire season.
• Staff hopes to concentrate on some other projects if the grass slows down. Repairing monuments is
on top of the list.
4 Iowa City Parks and Recreation Commission Packet | City of Iowa City
Oakland
Cemetery
FY 25 Revenue Report
** shaded areas represent previous 5yr average
Revenue from Lot Sales Lot Sale 5yr
Average
# of
Interments
Interments
5yr avg.
Revenue
from
Interments
5-year Avg.
on
Interments
Total
Revenue
5yr Avg. on
total
revenue
July $2,700.00 $3,690.00 8 5.4 $4,885.00 $3,106.50 $7,585.00 $6,796.50
August
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
March
April
May
June
Totals $2,700.00 $3,690.00 8 5.4 $4,885.00 $3,106.50 $7,585.00 $6,796.50