Davenport parks director announces River's Edge mural unveiling and plan to move tank to Veterans Memorial Park

Becca Niles, interim director for the Parks and Recreation department, told the Davenport Park and Recreation Advisory Board that a multi-panel mural is being installed on the exterior of the River's Edge building and will be formally unveiled on Friday, July 24 at 9 a.m. "We will be doing the unveiling ceremony... Friday, July 24 at 9AM at the River's Edge," Niles said, and added that several of the artists will attend.

Niles said two of the mural panels are already in place and that weather could push completion into next week. She told the board staff will send a formal follow-up email with details about the unveiling and invited board members to attend despite the weekday timing.

On another item, Niles said the large army tank that has been on Credit Island for many decades is planned to be moved to Veterans Memorial Park as a feature. "The tank at Credit Island will be being moved over to Veterans Memorial Park," she said, noting staff are coordinating the relocation with Public Works and city council members and that she did not yet have a definitive date.

Board members and staff briefly joked about whether anyone could drive the tank in a procession; Niles said the tank likely no longer has operational components but suggested a procession or related feature could be part of the move. Niles closed by reiterating that she will pass on more details once they are available.

The board then moved on to a scheduled park tour where staff will share additional updates in the field.