Clive council approves Lenan Park redesign; students help pick playground concept

The Clive City Council on March 13 unanimously approved a site plan for Lenan Park that relocates football and basketball courts, adds a splash pad and two shelters, and includes a playground concept selected through a combination of an online community survey and a school voting session.

Staff described the park schematic and said the online engagement received hundreds of responses; at Crestview Elementary staff and volunteers held an in-person vote involving students, and 459 student votes helped narrow the selection. Staff reported the leading concept — a nature-themed design with oversized leaves, animal motifs and sensory elements — won roughly 72 percent of the school’s votes among the top three shortlisted options.

The plan retains multiuse flexibility, adds ADA-compliant access ramps and proposes bid alternates such as a half-court basketball plaza. Councilors praised the level of community engagement and the in-school voting. "It really doesn't matter what we like — it's what the kids that have been using it want," one councilor said.

Staff said the parks team will refine the winning concept to add more swings and finalize details before the Parks, Recreation & Public Art board consideration on April 7 and a final contract considered by council on April 24. For procurement staff outlined a tentative schedule: issue bid packages March 26, receive bids April 22, and return to council on May 1 to receive bids and consider awards with construction anticipated to start in mid-to-late May and continue through fall.

Council approved the site plan by unanimous vote and asked staff to return with contract documents and final playground design following Parks & Rec Board review.