HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-14-2025 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 4 p.m. on
Monday, May 12, 2025, will be distributed to the Commission in advance of the meeting.
AGENDA
ITEM 1 CALL TO ORDER
ITEM 2 APPROVAL OF APRIL 9, 2025, 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 DEPART FOR PARK TOUR
• College Green Park
• Hickory Hill Park (1st Avenue entrance)
• Calder Park
• North Market Square Park
• Brookland Park
• Adelaide Joy Rogers Park
ITEM 5 ADJOURN
Iowa City
Parks and Recreation Commission
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
5:00 p.m.
Robert A. Lee Recreation Center – Meeting Room B
220 S Gilbert Street, Iowa City, IA 52240
IOWA CITY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION PRELIMINARY
MINUTES OF APRIL 9, 2025
ROBERT A. LEE RECREATION CENTER – MEETING ROOM B
Members Present: Connie Moore, Brian Morelli, Missie Forbes, Michael Gaunt, Virginia
Hayes, Jeff Mallory, Alex Stanton
Members Absent: Rachel McPherson, Caleb Recker
Staff Present: Juli Seydell Johnson, Tyler Baird, Gabe Gotera, Sarah Walz (MPOJC)
Others Present: Anne Jensen
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Moore called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (to become effective only after separate Council
action):
None
OTHER FORMAL ACTION:
Moved by Gaunt, seconded by Mallory, to approve the March 12, 2025, minutes. Motion
passed 6-0 (Hayes, McPherson, and Recker absent).
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
None
TRAIL NAMES AND SIGNS FOR HIGHWAY 1 AND HIGHWAY 6 TRAILS –
Sarah Walz, MPOJC
Dir. Seydell Johnson introduces Sarah Walz, who works for the Metropolitan Planning
Organization of Johnson County and offices out of City Hall.
Walz announces that the segment of the Highway 6 trail between Broadway Street and
Fairmeadows Boulevard is currently being designed and is expected to begin construction in
2026.
Commissioner Hayes arrives at 5:02 p.m.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
April 9, 2025
Page 2 of 8
Walz says that by 2028, the Highway 1/6 trail will bridge across the Iowa River and begin
construction in 2027 with the reconstruction of the Iowa River Bridge. In the previous winter,
MPOJC had applied for a Statewide Transportation Alternative program (TAP) grant and secured
nearly $700,000 for the construction of the trail. It is common to see people on bike/foot crossing
the bridge on a small passageway. In fall 2024, MPOJC conducted a count of how many people
use the passage to cross the bridge. It was found that 120-160 people were using the passageway
daily. This passageway is not ADA accessible and there are no path facilities for it. During the
winter, when the passages are full of snow, people will walk across the bridge on the road. This
is not safe, yet people need to cross it because it is a main commercial corridor for the city. Walz
says that a big benefit of the project is that it will connect both the Highway 1 and Highway 6
trails, becoming an easy way to cross the city from east to west. In the short-term, path facilities
will be added to the south side of the bridge. In the long-term, there will be path facilities added
onto both the north and south side of the bridge, but there are property acquisitions that need to
take place first.
Walz explains that the Highway trails are an oddity in the matter of jurisdiction. The trails are
within the highway right of way which would fall under Transportation, but they are also
managed/maintained by Parks and Recreation. Walz says that all parties are interested in seeing
more of the trails signed, so that people can identify which trail it is and learn about the larger
trail system. Walz recalls that when the Willow Creek Trail south of Benton Street was
resurfaced, there were old trail identification signs which were picked up by MPOJC. These old
and faded signs were redesigned with new color and installed back onto the trail. Walz had also
worked with Supt. Baird on installing new trail signs along Mormon Trek Boulevard and is
currently working together to install new signs along the Sycamore Greenway Trail later in the
year. Walz and Baird thought that the Highway 1/6 trail project would be a good opportunity to
design and install new trail signs. These new signs will also designate new names for the trails.
The Highway 1 trail will be known as the Sunset Trail, as it is on the west side of the river and
goes past Sunset Street. The Highway 6 trail will be known as the Sunrise Trail as it is on the
east side of the river and there is the Sunrise Village on the far-east side of town.
Walz asks the commission for any feedback regarding the proposed trail names and signage.
Vice Chair Morelli suggests including trail system maps as part of the trial signage, especially on
trails that connect to the larger system. Morelli recalls seeing such a map on the Coralville
Woodpecker Single Track Trail, explaining that it was very helpful towards wayfinding and
exploring your options on the trail. Walz says that map signage can be looked at if there is
enough public interest, but notes that the determining factor will be funding. Walz recalls that
map signs were installed in 2004-2005 but that she would need to investigate how many are still
standing. Those maps would need to be updated to show the current trail system. Morelli says
that the trail maps would be ideal near hotspots in the system, to which Walz suggests the
potential locations of City Park or Willow Creek Park.
Commissioner Stanton says that he likes the consistency and uniformity in design between the
signage for the Sycamore Greenway trail and the Sunrise/Sunset trails.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
April 9, 2025
Page 3 of 8
Chair Moore says that the trails signs are pretty and that she is excited for the trail across the
highway bridge. Currently, if someone is in a wheelchair, then there is no way for them to cross
the bridge. Walz agrees, commenting that the next available route would be Benton Street or
McCollister Boulevard. Walz adds that there is a lot of people traveling across the bridge to
access the Walmart for groceries or for employment opportunities on either end of the river.
REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF:
Parks and Recreation Director – Juli Seydell Johnson
Correspondence: Dir. Seydell Johnson, in reference to an item of received correspondence that
seemed to infer changed operation hours, clarifies that indoor pool hours have not changed since
the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center reopened after an extended closure due to COVID-19.
City Park Pool: Dir. Seydell Johnson announces that bids had come in well for the City Park
Pool project. The city will be moving forward with City Construction as the contractor, with a
pre-construction meeting scheduled for the following week. Seydell Johnson explains that since
the bids were received well, a frequently heard question was “Can more of the money be spent
on the project?”. Seydell Johnson responds that there is no extra money. The project bids were
estimated to go as high as eighteen million dollars but came in closer to fourteen million dollars.
Seydell Johnson explains that after design and consultant fees, and the cost of equipment, the
cost of the facility will end up closer to that estimated eighteen million dollars. All the alternates
on the City Park Pool project were accepted, including the following:
• Individual heaters on all three pools.
• A UV disinfectant system.
• A climbing wall added to the diving well.
• A third diving board added to the diving well.
• The contractor will remove the existing restroom in Upper City Park, as opposed to Parks
staff.
• Two areas of limestone elevated landscape seating. One area will be inside the facility,
while the other area will be outside the front of the pool.
• Additional shade structures, aside from the six currently on the design.
Moving forward with the project means that officially, City Park Pool will not open for summer
2025.
Commissioner Forbes asks what is the determinant of using the pool heaters? Dir. Seydell
Johnson responds that the specific policies and hours of use will be determined likely next
winter. More generally, the heater is expected to be used for the leisure pool for both the kid’s
area and for swim lessons, and possibly in the diving well for aqua fitness. Commissioner
Stanton asks, after the heater is turned on in a pool, how long would it take for the water
temperature to raise two degrees? Seydell Johnson responds that she does not know that exact
amount of time, as there are a lot of factors in play such as outdoor air temperature, the starting
temp of the water, and the volume of the pool. Seydell Johnson says that it would be possible to
turn it on and heat it to a minimal level during the early season, so that it is ready for the
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
April 9, 2025
Page 4 of 8
Memorial Day opening and then remain turned off for the remainder of the summer.
Commissioner Mallory, in reference to swim meets, asks if Mercer Park Aquatic Center has
variable water temperatures. Seydell Johnson responds that both indoor pools could be raised or
lowered if needed, but that generally, they are not expected to change temperature at all.
Dir. Seydell Johnson has heard some questions along the lines of, “Now that City Park Pool is
under contract, what does that mean for both indoor pools at the Mercer Park Aquatic Center and
Robert A. Lee Recreation Center?”. Nothing is being decided yet, as it was determined that City
Park Pool would be finished, before returning to discussions about the future of either building.
Seydell Johnson expects at least another year, before any kind of ongoing conversation about the
facilities. During this time, pool operations will continue as normal.
Commissioner Mallory asks, will operation hours be adjusted for both indoor pools while City
Park Pool is closed for the 2025 season? Seydell Johnson says that staff decided not to adjust
hours, believing that Mercer pool should have enough space to accommodate the additional
open-swim people. If this is found to not be the case by June, then staff can look at opening
Robert A. Lee pool for longer. Currently, it is expected that the Robert A. Lee pool will be used
in the afternoons, not for open-swim but instead by local youth groups for swimming lessons and
other summer-camp-type programs.
Vice Chair Morelli asks if there will be any reciprocal with Coralville or North Liberty to use
outdoor pools? Seydell Johnson responds that that is not expected to take place.
May 2025, Commission Meeting: Dir. Seydell Johnson announces that the May 14, 2025,
Commission meeting will include a bus tour of parks, led by Supt. Baird. The tour will be on a
city bus and is expected to begin soon after 5 p.m. The public is allowed to join in if interested.
The meeting is expected to run later than usual, so a boxed meal will be provided to the
Commission. Seydell Johnson says that she will not be attending that meeting due to an
upcoming leave of absence. During her absence, Baird will be the acting director for the
department.
Parks and Forestry Superintendent – Tyler Baird
Sand Prairie: US Fish and Wildlife Services (FWS) helped the division with work on Sand
Prairie Park. Supt. Baird explains that it was a good team building exercise for both parties. FWS
gave guidance on the prairie and its significance, helping to remove and chip trees from the
prairie-focused park.
Big Grove Brewery: Big Grover Brewery (BGB) has a new neighborhood beer, part of which is
giving back to local neighborhoods. Supt. Baird explains that BGB has partnered with the Parks
division on a project to make improvements to Riverfront Crossings Park. The project was made
to be as low budget as possible, using urban lumber and limestone left over from other projects.
BGB did donate $600, which went towards purchasing river rocks. Volunteers assisted with
installing the river rocks into the dry stream and re-mulching portions of the playground.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
April 9, 2025
Page 5 of 8
Forestry: Forestry is currently planning their tree orders for fall plantings. Supt. Baird explains
that the Purchasing department helped him with the bid process to order trees from four-five
different vendors. For the current spring season, staff have already ordered trees and are waiting
on the delivery for tree plantings in Oakland Cemetery, Fairmeadows Park and some streets
surrounding the park. There will be an additional tree planting in the Normandy Drive
Neighborhood that will be conducted with the help of master gardeners and the Rotary Club. The
purchase of the Normandy Drive trees is funded with a $10,000 state grant.
Supt. Baird announces that Iowa City was named a Tree City USA for the 45th consecutive year.
The city also received a Growth Award, meaning that all standards for Tree City USA were met
plus an extra level of standard above that.
Parks Maintenance & Staff: Supt. Baird says that Athletic Fields is in full swing. Staff did a good
job preparing the fields in the beginning of spring. The grass has greened earlier than usual, and
staff have been mowing the fields for nearly two weeks.
Water facilities have been turned on in all parks, including restrooms and water fountains. Staff
have begun mowing across the parks system.
Supt. Baird says the division is busy with onboarding after hiring seasonal employees. Typically,
50-55 seasonal employees are hired every year. Baird expects the last batch of seasonal
employees to start in early June, after the schools let out for the summer. Often, both teachers
and students will work for the division during the summer.
Park Projects: Supt. Baird announces that the Sycamore Greenway Project is out for bid
proposals. This project is part of the 2024 Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Grant,
so Baird expects to get the bids back soon. In Hickory Hill Park, staff have installed a new bridge
off the Bloomington Street entrance. Staff were also able to replace the decking of the first of
three bridges on the 1st Avenue Loop.
Students from West Branch High School will be volunteering with the division on Earth Day to
make improvements at Hunter’s Run Park. Improvements will include cutting invasive species
out of the prairie and sprucing up the surfacing around the playground.
Supt. Baird says that the playground is currently being installed at College Green Park. The soil
grading work is at Calder Park has been completed in preparation for the new trail. The
Brookland Park project site is partially cleared and close to being ready for the next step.
Adelaide Joy Rogers Park has the top soil piled aside with the next steps already staged. All four
of these projects are moving forward simultaneously.
Supt. Baird states that the resurfacing project for the segment of Court Hill Trail between Beech
Street and Scott Boulevard is moving forward.
Commissioner Stanton asks, when is the College Green Park playground expected to be ready to
open? Supt. Baird explains that the playground is expected to be fully installed within the week
but clarifies that there are other components to the project that will need to be complete before
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
April 9, 2025
Page 6 of 8
the playground is officially opened. These components include the basketball court and the
pavement edging. Baird expects the project to take at least until mid-summer and could extend as
far as mid-fall. Dir. Seydell Johnson says that the contractor is working on several parks, so
while it may look close to completion, they could be working on other improvement projects in
the system. The contractor has at least through the summer to complete the projects.
Commissioner Mallory asks, are grants a major source of funding for tree plantings? Supt. Baird
confirms this, explaining that the division applies for as many grants as they can, averaging
around $25,000 in tree grants each year. The division has received community forestry grants
offered by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) every spring and fall since 2020. There
is a $30,000 state pass-through grant that is on hold due to a federal component. The funds are
planned to be used for plantings in the neighborhood near Fairmeadows Park, but the project will
have to wait until the funds are received. Mallory says that he appreciates the creativity in
securing the grants and that it is powerful to have experts in each division, leading the charge for
grants in their area.
CHAIRS REPORT:
None
COMMISSION TIME/SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Commissioner Mallory says that he had attended the recent Iowa Parks and Recreation
Association (IPRA) conference held in Coralville, IA, and was able to see both presentations
individually led by Dir. Juli Seydell Johnson and Senior Center Coordinator, LaTasha DeLoach.
Mallory said that it was an awesome experience to see both what was presented and what other
city’s parks and recreation departments are doing. Mallory recalls that one presentation topic
included the idea of location intelligence, which tracks cell photo data from users. Mallory says
that this set off alarm bells in his head regarding how it is accomplished asks if this is used by
Iowa City. Seydell Johnson says that she does not believe that Iowa City uses this technology.
Seydell Johnson explains that Mallory is referring to programs called geofencing that can track
cell phone usage within a defined perimeter. An example of using this technology is tracking
where event attendees are shopping/dining after leaving the event. Seydell Johnson affirms that
geofencing is not being used by Iowa City Parks and Recreation, but notes that it is being used
by Think Iowa City, the local convention and visitor bureau. Mallory, on the topic of privacy,
wonders how the cell phone tracking can be allowed when the data is mostly coming from the
data brokers that provide the services. Seydell Johnson responds that she does not know more on
the topic, beyond how it can be applied at conventions. Mallory recommends to his fellow
commissioners to attend an IPRA conference when they are local, saying that it was very
informative.
Commissioner Forbes congratulates the department on their recent awards, specifically for Dir.
Seydell Johnson and Supt. Baird. Seydell Johnson explains that she was the recipient of IPRA’s
highest professional award at the recent conference, the Slattery/Trueblood Professional Award.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
April 9, 2025
Page 7 of 8
Seydell Johnson says that it is personally very special to receive an award named after Terry
Trueblood, who was both a former director of the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department
and a colleague of hers. Seydell Johnson gives thanks to both the commission and the
department.
Vice -Chair Morelli says that he has been seeing an increasing number of electric scooters on
both the sidewalks and trails. Morelli asks if there are any kind of rules or regulations for these
scooters in the parks, noting that these devices can move fast and at variable speeds. Dir. Seydell
Johnson says that motorized items are allowed on the trails due to accessibility requests but
acknowledges that there likely are motorized items on the trails that are not being used out of
accessibility. Seydell Johnson says that this topic can be looked into for more specific
information.
ADJOURNMENT:
Moved by Stanton, second by Gaunt, to adjourn the meeting at 5:33 p.m. Motion passed
7-0 (McPherson and Recker absent).
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
April 9, 2025
Page 8 of 8
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
05
/
1
5
/
2
0
2
4
06
/
1
2
/
2
0
2
4
07
/
1
0
/
2
0
2
4
08
/
1
4
/
2
0
2
4
09
/
1
1
/
2
0
2
4
10
/
0
9
/
2
0
2
4
11
/
1
3
/
2
0
2
4
12
/
1
1
/
2
0
2
4
01
/
0
8
/
2
0
2
5
02
/
1
2
/
2
0
2
5
03
/
1
2
/
2
0
2
5
04
/
0
9
/
2
0
2
5
Missie
Forbes
12/31/25 NM NM X O/E X NM O/E NM X NM X
X
Michael
Gaunt
12/31/28 * * * * * * * * X NM X X
Virginia
Hayes
12/31/27 NM NM X X O/E NM O/E NM X NM X X
Jeff
Mallory
12/31/28 * * * * * * * * X NM X X
Rachel
McPherson
12/31/26 NM NM X O/E O/E NM X NM O/E NM X O/E
Connie
Moore
12/31/25 NM NM X X X NM X NM X NM X X
Brian
Morelli
12/31/25 NM NM X X X NM X NM X NM X X
Caleb
Recker
12/31/26 NM NM X O/E X NM X NM X NM X O/E
Alex
Stanton
12/31/27 NM NM O/E X X NM X NM O/E NM X X
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
Tuesday 1-Apr 7 4 9 2 7 7 3 39 50 8 Water Mindfullness
Wednesday 2-Apr 6 8 3 5 9 5 3 39 19 48
Thursday 3-Apr 7 6 6 5 10 7 2 43 51
Friday 4-Apr 6 2 2 12 9 8 2 5 4 0 41 28 9 $2 Swim
Saturday 5-Apr 5 0 5 4 14 2 1 7 1 39 4
Sunday 6-Apr 27 5 2 79 34 $2 Swim
Monday 7-Apr 6 3 1 5 10 15 4 44 27 50
Tuesday 8-Apr 4 3 7 2 6 11 2 35 61 7 Water Mindfullness
Wednesday 9-Apr 7 3 5 9 4 9 3 40 19 49
Thursday 10-Apr 4 6 8 2 5 8 4 37 60
Friday 11-Apr 7 7 5 5 7 11 3 8 0 0 45 6 8 $2 Swim
Saturday 12-Apr 7 0 5 4 5 4 3 2 3 33 4
Sunday 13-Apr 12 0 0 76 12 $2 Swim
Monday 14-Apr 5 1 5 7 9 5 6 38 19 53
Tuesday 15-Apr 6 8 5 3 7 9 2 40 57 8 Water Mindfullness
Wednesday 16-Apr 5 4 2 7 5 10 3 36 21 37
Thursday 17-Apr 3 7 4 4 6 6 3 33 56
Friday 18-Apr 4 5 3 6 8 16 3 2 5 0 45 19 7 $2 Swim
Saturday 19-Apr 5 1 6 5 4 2 2 1 2 28 2
Sunday 20-Apr 7 1 2 Holiday 10 $2 Swim
Monday 21-Apr 6 4 4 10 8 20 3 55 22 49
Tuesday 22-Apr 6 8 7 6 8 7 1 43 62 9 Water Mindfullness
Wednesday 23-Apr 5 4 4 10 7 13 1 44 18 48
Thursday 24-Apr 7 10 8 2 6 9 3 45 49
Friday 25-Apr 5 2 6 4 12 8 3 8 2 0 40 20 10 $2 Swim
Saturday 26-Apr 6 2 7 2 1 4 3 6 0 31 2
Sunday 27-Apr 4 7 0 77 11 $2 Swim
Monday 28-Apr 6 2 7 3 4 13 6 41 26 40
Tuesday 29-Apr 5 8 9 7 8 9 4 50 59 10 Water Mindfullness
Wednesday 30-Apr 9 9 4 9 8 6 5 50 17 46
Grand Total
982 1054 273 1157 143 2627
35.1 9.1 38.6 4.8 87.6
text
Facility closed for events/maintenance/holiday
$2 Swim. This quantity is not included in Daily Rec Totals
Robert A Lee Recreation Center - Indoor Swimming Pool Totals - April 2025
Total Scans:
Averages:
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
Tuesday 1-Apr 7 16 9 20 6 6 9 3 3 4 2 6 5 4 74 3 100 26 $2 Swim
Wednesday 2-Apr 8 12 4 5 9 13 3 16 4 6 10 6 7 8 111 100
Thursday 3-Apr 7 14 7 8 14 7 5 2 21 4 4 16 6 2 95 2 100 22 $2 Swim
Friday 4-Apr 9 14 16 7 14 9 11 7 7 8 7 6 3 1 119 1 100
Saturday 5-Apr 3 2 13 4 27 12 5 4 13 2 13 1 3 4 106 100
Sunday 6-Apr 24 11 21 22 16 11 4 5 0 114
Monday 7-Apr 15 12 17 15 10 12 7 5 7 6 7 10 9 2 134 3 100
Tuesday 8-Apr 5 13 12 14 4 8 7 5 2 15 10 8 3 4 92 4 100 18 $2 Swim
Wednesday 9-Apr 18 8 13 9 13 6 2 11 5 6 4 7 6 1 109 100
Thursday 10-Apr 4 11 6 10 17 13 2 2 5 4 7 12 3 4 73 3 100 27 $2 Swim
Friday 11-Apr 17 12 5 16 7 8 7 4 12 5 2 2 7 2 106 2 100
Saturday 12-Apr 4 4 7 8 8 7 6 5 8 4 4 6 5 1 77 100
Sunday 13-Apr 9 9 8 5 9 5 4 3 5 57
Monday 14-Apr 7 16 8 18 18 6 6 8 5 7 11 8 7 2 127 4 100
Tuesday 15-Apr 16 9 10 11 12 5 9 10 4 4 6 8 7 4 92 4 100 23 $2 Swim
Wednesday 16-Apr 12 10 11 6 13 6 6 4 3 6 4 13 3 2 99 100
Thursday 17-Apr 9 6 12 10 15 7 6 6 9 5 9 8 8 4 89 0 100 25 $2 Swim
Friday 18-Apr 9 13 13 15 16 13 11 14 5 17 12 6 5 2 151 1 100
Saturday 19-Apr 7 4 5 6 11 25 8 3 8 5 6 6 4 6 104 100
Sunday 20-Apr 11 10 4 11 8 2 3 2 1 52
Monday 21-Apr 11 16 9 10 18 8 3 7 3 6 14 8 8 6 127 4 100
Tuesday 22-Apr 8 9 10 11 15 9 6 4 7 6 10 9 6 4 88 0 100 26 $2 Swim
Wednesday 23-Apr 13 14 6 11 14 6 3 5 1 13 19 9 8 6 128 100
Thursday 24-Apr 9 12 7 8 7 7 4 7 8 4 7 6 2 2 75 1 100 15 $2 Swim
Friday 25-Apr 7 11 9 20 13 8 4 11 7 36 12 6 18 1 163 1 100
Saturday 26-Apr 5 6 2 4 11 9 4 12 5 8 13 6 3 0 88 100
Sunday 27-Apr 8 11 14 11 20 6 16 4 2 92
Monday 28-Apr 11 16 12 16 12 10 5 8 7 2 7 10 4 3 123 3 100
Tuesday 29-Apr 7 12 7 13 11 4 4 3 4 5 10 0 6 0 62 2 100 24 $2 Swim
Wednesday 30-Apr 13 10 14 17 10 9 9 4 5 9 7 10 7 1 125 100
Grand Total
2545 3052 38 2600 206 5896
101.7 1.3 86.7 6.9 196.5
ICE = 92 (includes masters)
$2 Swim. This quantity is not included in Daily Rec Totals
Facility closed for events/maintenance/holiday
Mercer Park Aquatic Center - Indoor Swimming Pool Totals - April 2025
Totals:
Averages:
Total Scans:
Ending Balance:$247,852.42
March 01, 2025 - March 31, 2025
Beginning Balance:$256,138.37
Total Fund Income:($8,225.46)
Total Fund Expenses:$60.49
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
March 01, 2025 - March 31, 2025
Beginning Balance:$43,655.01
Total Fund Income:$6,050.00
Total Fund Expenses:$45.55
Ending Balance:$49,659.46
Statement Activity
1 Iowa City Parks and Recreation Staff Report | City of Iowa City
Iowa City Parks & Recreation Staff Report
May 2025
Upcoming Events
• Farmers Market – Saturdays, May – October; 7:30 am – Noon; Chauncey Swan Ramp
• Sensory Sensitive Inflatable Afternoon – Saturday, May 17; 1:30-3:30 pm; MPAC
• Pedal Power – Sunday, May 18; 1-3 pm; TTRA Parking Lot
• Memorial Day Program – Monday May 26th @ 9:30am Oakland Cemetery
• Party in the Park series begins – Thursdays in June, July and August; 6:30-8 pm; various parks
• Play Daze series begins – Thursdays in June, July and August; 9:30-11:30 am; various parks
Notable from Parks & Recreation Staff
Parks:
• We have had successful tree plantings with multiple volunteer groups this spring. We have also been
planting as part of our daily tasks.
• We also had volunteers who helped with litter cleanup at multiple parks and one group that helped cut
trees in the prairie at Hunter’s Run Park.
• Perennial and annual plants are currently arriving and will be planted in May.
• Mowing operations have begun in all parks.
• Athletic complexes are in full use with many tournaments, games, and practices occurring each week.
• The park improvement projects at Adelaide Joy Rogers, Brookland, Calder, and College Green are
making progress with work well underway at each location.
• The trail replacement project on the section of the Court Hill Trail between Beech St and Scott Blvd is
close to complete.
• Construction on the REAP grant funded improvements to the Ashton House grounds will begin in the
next couple of months.
• Seasonal staff have started to come onboard with the remaining staff starting through the first weeks of
June.
• We have completed multiple projects at Sand Prairie removing woody plants and improving the prairie.
• Water and restrooms are on for the season throughout the parks.
• Multiple bridge decking replacement projects have been completed at Hickory Hill Park.
• Volunteer/friends groups are ramping up for the season and help us accomplish a lot in many of our
parks and downtown spaces.
2 Iowa City Parks and Recreation Staff Report | City of Iowa City
Recreation:
• Recreation division staff have been assisting with STEAM/Arts/Nature program development and
implementation and summer camp planning while the Program Supervisor position remains vacant.
• Recreation staff have been working with affiliate groups and ballfield user groups as their summer
seasons begin. Staff have been coordinating with external organizations to assist with and provide
activities for various events throughout the summer.
• Farmers Market season begins on May 3. There were 180 vendor applications with 126 having approved
status. The vendor stall placement schedule is full for the season.
Facilities:
• Ashton House roof-
o Is complete & looks great!
• Mercer-
o We are starting the planning and design process to replace the Mercer Pool roof. It is poor
shape and in need of replacement.
o Project should bid in July with work to start in August.
• Robert A Lee/ Mercer -
o Staff has started to prepare building HVAC for the spring and summer season.
o We have a new staff member joining our division, Lupita Wombacher. Lupita starts April 30,
2025, and will be working Tues-Fri evenings and Saturday.
• Splashpads-
o Staff continue to prep splash pads for the summer season.
o Official start will be Memorial Day weekend.
Cemetery:
• The Arbor Day tree planting took place on 4/25/2025. Heritage Trees donated 20 trees for Oakland
Cemetery. Help from Tyler, Forestry staff and around 21 volunteers made for a successful planting.
• Memorial Day Program at Oakland Cemetery will take place on Monday May 26th @ 9:30am
Top Staff Issues
Parks
• Our trash truck has been in the shop multiple times this month which slows down our garbage pick up in
parks and requires additional staffing to complete the job.
Recreation
• Staff have been busy prepping for summer programming and hiring sufficient levels of staffing.
Cemetery:
• Seasonal staff has been hired and we are slowly bringing them on.
• Mowing and trimming is in full swing already.
3 Iowa City Parks and Recreation Staff Report | 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 $4,950.00 $7,871.50 7 7.2 $3,520.00 $4,106.50 $8,470.00 $11,978.00
Sept $900.00 $8,082.50 7 7.0 $3,027.50 $3,919.75 $3,927.50 $12,002.25
Oct $10,350.00 $12,342.00 7 7.6 $3,427.50 $4,103.50 $13,777.50 $16,445.50
Nov $1,800.00 $6,111.50 14 6.2 $7,287.50 $3,958.00 $9,087.50 $10,069.50
Dec $13,050 $2,745.50 3 5.0 $2,235.00 $3091.00 $15,285.00 $5.,836.50
Jan $1,800.00 $4,789.50 5 4.4 $2,567.50 $2,482.00 $4,367.50 $7,271.50
Feb $7,650.00 $4,940.00 2 3.6 $1,785.00 $2,623.00 $9,435.00 $7,563.00
March $13,050.00 $5,747.00 7 4.8 $4,247.50 $3,452.50 $17,297.50 $9,199.50
April $2,700.00 $4,812.50 7 4.4 $4,007.50 $2,631.50 $6,707.50 $7,444.00
May
June
Totals $58,950.00 $61,141.00 67 55.6 $36,990.00 $33,474.25 $95,940.00 $94,606.25