Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board reviews 2025 accomplishments and outlines possible 2026 projects and grant applications
Summary
Board members summarized completed 2025 projects — including installation of Scout Park firepits and planting 29 trees — and discussed multiple potential 2026 projects and grant opportunities such as Paint Iowa Beautiful and REAP applications.
The Maxwell Parks and Open Spaces Board reviewed completed 2025 projects and discussed a range of possible 2026 projects and grants during its Jan. 15 meeting.
Board members reported completed work from 2025: Scout Park firepits were installed and are available for use, Legion Park bathroom doors were painted, 29 trees were planted, dog-park silhouettes were updated, the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail had a grand opening, and restroom signs were installed along the trail.
For 2026 the board discussed many possible projects: painting the Legion Park concession stand (the board noted the Paint Iowa Beautiful grant as a potential funding source); acquiring more sand for the City Park toy digger, finding flooring for the gaga ball pit, addressing drainage, refreshing the welcome sign, and replacing three boards on the bridge; improvements to the disc golf courses; researching grants and fencing companies and volunteer options for the dog park; removing lilac trees on the west side of Scout Park to open the view to Woodlawn Street and researching hammock-pole installation and onsite wood for the firepit; moving the prairie sign and applying a wet prairie seeding mix; completing a flag-burning pit at Veterans Plaza in spring; acquiring pea gravel for Laffey Park; and applying for a REAP grant and researching living-trust–fund grants, flower purchases, and replacing four previously removed trees as well as adding fruit trees and wildflowers along the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail.
The minutes record project ideas and grant possibilities but do not include cost estimates, grant application deadlines, or assigned staff for each item. The board listed these items for future follow-up and potential grant applications.
