Iowa City will create a new park and renovate others.

IOWA CITY — Iowa City is investing more than $590,000 in improvements to College Green Park, Brookland Park, Calder Park and a new park at 1001 Shannon Dr.

The city plans to issue bids to a contractor next month, with construction expected to begin in the spring. The estimated completion date of the project is autumn 2025.

The project, which includes upgrades to playgrounds, basketball courts and trails, is part of the city’s 2017 park master plan.

The park renovation comes in the midst of the city’s replacement of the 76-year-old City Park Pool, a project estimated to cost more than $18 million. The city has approved the preliminary concept, but specific design processes are ongoing, with a formal plan expected in early 2025.

Adelaide Joy Rogers Park

The new park, located in the southwest part of the city at 1001 Shannon Dr., will have a small loop trail surrounding a playground and shelter. There will be no toilets.

“This is one of the areas identified in the park master plan as needing increased recreational use, and this fits the bill,” Julie Seydell Johnson, director of parks and recreation for Iowa City, said at the City Council meeting. .

The playground will have small swings and a play structure.

The park will be named Adelaide Joy Rogers Park in honor of lifelong Iowa City resident Adelaide Joy Rogers. Joy Rogers ran for parks commissioner in 1921. Although she did not win the election, she was a strong supporter of expanding recreational opportunities for girls and women.

“That in itself was radical, especially since she had the courage to run and the courage to use the name she preferred, including her maiden name,” Iowa City resident Kevin Boyd said of Joy Rogers’ campaign. “And that could very well be the reason she fell 57 votes short of winning.”

Boyd, a longtime Iowa City resident, submitted the idea to the Parks and Recreation Commission to name the park after Joy Rogers. More than 35 other names were considered.

Green Park College

College Green Park, 600 E. College St., will get a new playground, basketball court, sidewalks and curbs.

Seydell Johnson said the Green Park College basketball court is one of the most frequently used courts in the city.

There will be a small circle on the court to honor former Iowa women’s basketball player Caitlin Clark’s shot at Carver-Hawkeye Arena earlier this year that made her the leading scorer in NCAA basketball history.

Brookland Park

The layout of Brookland Park, located at 550 Greenwood Dr., will remain the same, with updated play equipment and new trails.

Seydell Johnson said the lack of paved paths to the playgrounds creates accessibility issues for the park.

“I really appreciate the focus on making all these parks accessible. Sometimes people complain: “Why are we updating this park?” and then we explain that it’s to improve accessibility and people say, ‘Oh, that makes sense, that’s the right thing,’” Iowa City Councilman Josh Moe said at a city council meeting.

Calder Park

Calder Park, located at 2831 Hickory Trl., will add additional trails throughout the park.

“It’s a great little park, but the playground, shelter and fire pit are a long way from the Hickory Trail and there’s never been a good road to it,” Seydell Johnson said.

The new trails will connect the nearby Monument Hills neighborhood to the playground and other trails in the area.

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