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Parks staff announce Iowa DNR tree grant and Grand Park improvements in FY26 budget review
Summary
Parks staff described recovery plans after ash-tree losses, proposed Grand Park lighting ($100,000 set aside), and reported an Iowa DNR grant of about $112,000 to fund about 60—5 native trees for parks and public spaces.
Park and open-space staff presented a broad package of parks, playground, and Grand Park capital and maintenance requests and announced an Iowa DNR grant that will fund a large tree-replacement effort.
Staff said the city has lost more than 400 ash trees and is prioritizing replacements in parks and public spaces; they announced receipt of an Iowa DNR grant (approximately $112,000) to purchase roughly 60—5 native trees that must be native to Iowa and will be planted in parks, on the golf course and in other public spaces (not in rights-of-way). The grant requires coordinating with approved nurseries and arborists to diversify species and reduce future disease risk.
Capital items discussed include $100,000 set aside for Grand Park lighting, playground repairs, batting-cage replacement, picnic tables and decorative downtown trash cans. Staff noted the need to replace or rehab shelter houses damaged by fire and to move ahead with insurance and replacement estimates for the Northwest shelter.
Why this matters: the tree grant reduces near-term city capital outlay for replanting and addresses an environmental and aesthetic loss from emerald ash borer and similar pests. Grand Park lighting and other park capital items affect recreation, tournaments and community events.
What happens next: staff will work to secure nursery partners and finalize planting plans under the DNR grant and return with specifics on the Grand Park lighting project and shelter-house insurance outcomes for council consideration.
