Cedar Rapids Parks OpenHouse Boards

8/14/2019 Cedar Rapids Parks OpenHouse Boards

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PURPOSEThe purpose of this first open house is to get feedback on the Citys parks

and recreation needs, public participation process, and work to date. This

Master Plan Process will include information on specific elements of the

plan, including:

community life center.

WELCOME

Open House No. 1 Needs, existing facilities, process, work to date.

Crowne Plaza Hotel

Open House No. 2 Master Plan Facility and Programming Options

Location to be determined

Open House No 3 Master Plan Final Selected Facility

Tentative Open House Schedule


2/26

The ChallengeThis Parks & Recreation Master Plan

Open House Process must address the

following questions:

to make to address quality of life needs,

competition with other Midwestern

meet the communitys parks and

recreation indoor and outdoor needs

and ensure the system is sustainable and

Recreation Master Plan impact flood


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2003

facilities and programs.2007 City Parks and Recreation departments combine to become

one united department.

2008 City begins process of its first Parks and Recreation

were completed.

June 11-13, 2008

of at least $3 billion in Cedar Rapids, including some damages

August 2008 Parks Master planning process resumes and a post

June 23, 2009 First of three Parks & Recreation Master Plan

Open House held.

Other Related Processes:

P.L.A.Y.

facility (2005 to date).

Greenway

Riverfront Uses

Master Plan Chronology


4/26

A Parks and Recreation Master Plan will:

priorities to ensure a system that meets

community needs.

strategies consistent with City capabilities.

land acceptance standards and operational

efficiencies.

demonstrating community need and support.

changes (i.e. boomers entering retirement

needs).

What is a Parks & Recreation

Master Plan and why do we need it?


5/26

What is the value of our

open space and recreation system?

open space and recreational opportunities

by attracting businesses and retaining

current residents.

and future generations.

crime, with a focus on youth crime.


6/26

taxpayers can afford.

residents and the next generation of workers.

needs are met and are affordable for

the community.

recreational system.

the parks and recreation system as prioritiesare set to meet operational funding constraints.

th h th t il t

Master Plan Project Goals


7/26

Overview of Parks and Recreation System

The City's existing Parks and Recreation System consists of the following:

Parks and Open Space

There are 3,091 acres of named park areas, excluding golf courses, at 57

sites. An additional 60 parcels of land comprising 268 acres are located

throughout the City.

The majority of this acreage is in large parks such as Ellis Park and the

Tuma Complex.

There are also many small parks that serve the City's neighborhoods and

areas that are natural and undeveloped.

The Riverfront

Approximately 1700 acres.

48 percent of the Citys open space and natural areas are within FEMAdesignated flood plains. 80 percent of this property is a natural area,

greenway or open land.

Indoor Recreation

3 functioning indoor facilities Bender Pool, Ambroz Recreation Center,

and Noelridge Greenhouse.

2 indoor facilities destroyed by the flood Time Check Recreation Centerand the Riverside Roundhouse.

Trails

24 miles of existingtrails.


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9/26

How Do We Pay?

Funding Challenges

Public funding is needed to support parks and recreation systems. The primary

source of funding in Iowa is the property tax.

Opportunities for park and recreation user fees and charges are limited.

Unfortunately, other funding sources that are available in other states are not available

in Iowa. These include:

Park Impact Fee (fees to fund new parks to serve new residentialdevelopment) is allowed but often challenged by developers.

Park Land Dedication Requirements need more specific landacquisition criteria to assure dedicated land is appropriate for needed and

intended use.

Special Taxing Districts also rely on property taxes.

Sales Tax recent passage of a one percent sales tax has limited some of thatcapacity.

Grant funding is limited and competitive with a high level of community

redevelopment needs.

CIP Break do wn

FY 2010

Parks

($ 812,936)

Recreation

($ 28,000)

Riverfront

($ 0)Aquatics

($ 212,500)

Ushers Ferry

($ 0)

Budget BreakdownFY 2010

Parks($ 3,149,477)

Parks & RecreationTotal = $ 7,569,711

Recreation($ 2,790,840)

Aquatics($ 1,351,756)

Ushers Ferry($ 277,638)

In future Open Houses, citizens will weigh in on prioritizing the use of funds.Options to help balance budgets include:

repurposing under utilized parkland;

reducing the amount of maintenance required; and,

increasing fees to support expanded parkland.

Pro e rty Ta u sid y($ 5,265,178)

Parks & Recreation

Tota l = $ 7,569,711

icenses & Per its($ 16,000)

harges For er ices($ 1,844,524)

Rents & Royalties($ 294,619)

i sc Re enue($ 53,190)

Trans ers n($ 96,200)

Funding ourcesFY 2010


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What challenges for the Parks System were created by the 2008 Flood?

The 2008 Flood had a wide range of impacts to the existing Parks

and Recreation system:

Temporarily impacted operationally

The Sac and Fox Greenway, for example was impassable

during the flood.

Moderately impacted / Needed repairForty-six of the City's parks and recreation properties

were impacted; thirteen of these were in need of repair.

One site is 100 percent repaired, the other properties are

approximately 40 percent repaired.

Significantly damaged / Candidate for replacement

Riverside Park's Roundhouse and the Time Check

Recreation Center.

New park space created

The City's adopted Flood Management Strategy created 220

acres of new park space (Greenway) between the flood

protection line and the Cedar River.

The Park System, at the same time, fulfilled one of its purposes byhelping to offset some of the flood's impact on the community by

storing water, absorbing water, and by preventing development in

flood-prone areas.

City-Owned Parks Affected by the 2008 Flood


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What does the Community think about the existing Parks System?

A survey conducted by the Cedar Rapids Park and Recreation

Department in 2008 was mailed to 7,000 households. More than 829

individuals responded (a 12 percent response rate). Some of the

findings include:

Highest in Overall Satisfaction

(Percentage of respondents to respond '"Excellent")

Park Maintenance (77 percent)

Trail Maintenance (77 percent)

Parks and recreation programming (68 percent)

Most important concerns for City to address to

increase use of parks and facilities

Better condition of parks

More trails

Greater awareness of programs (increased communication)

Top three priorities for park and facility development

Improve existing parks

Develop more trails

Add an outdoor event facility

1.

2.

3.

1.

2.

3.

1.

2.

3.

24%

14%

13%

11%

7%

3%

4%

5%

5%

3%

2%

13%

12%

12%

9%

14%

7%

5%

4%

3%

4%

3%

7%

13%

11%

12%

9%

6%

7%

5%

3%

3%

4%

36%

31%

30%

16%

14%

10%

10%

8%

13%

42%

39%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50

Trails (Cedar River/Sac & Fox)

Picnic shelters/pavilions

Outdoor swimming pool and aquatic centers

Playgrounds

Neighborhood walking trails (Cherokee Park/Cherry Hill Park)

Splash pads

Urban fishing (Mcleod run/Robin's lake)

Dog park (off-leash areas)

Baseball fields

Softball fields

Developed park land

Percent Responding

Most important

Second most important

Third most important

Most important outdoor facilities

to be added, expanded, or improved


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Parks and Open Space System - Goals and Principles

Provide a high level of service for parks, natural areas, and greenways.

Provide an appropriate distribution and diversity of parks, natural

areas, and greenways.

Maintain parks, natural areas, and greenways to meet community

expectations.

Provide a system of parks, natural areas, and greenways that include

active and passive recreational opportunities within walking distance

of all urban residential development.

Provide a park system that is sustainable for future generations.

Developed Parks are manicured open spaces with paved areas,

mowed lawns, and active recreation. They support many activities

and require a high level of maintenance.

Natural Areas require less maintenance and financial investmentthan developed parks.


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Parks and Open Space System - Survey Highlights

Top five most important outdoor facilities to be added,expanded, or improved:

Trails (Cedar River/Sac & Fox)

Picnic shelters/pavilions

Outdoor swimming pool and aquatic centersPlaygrounds

Neighborhood walking trails

(Cherokee Park/Cherry Hill Park)

Parks and recreation values and preferences responses

82 percent would like a mix of parks that incorporates

both native and manicured parks.

82 percent value having active recreation opportunities in

the parks near their home.

80 percent feel it is important to have a park withinwalking distance of home.


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What were the results of the

Level of Service Analysis?

The level of service was analyzed in two ways: how wellneighborhoods are served in general and how walkable the park andrecreation system is. The results showed:

General Access*

85 percent of Cedar Rapids has neighborhood access to parks;of that, 62 percent has service that meets or exceeds the target.

The airport and agricultural lands comprise much of the areasthat do not have service.

Walkable Access**

57 percent of Cedar Rapids has walkable access to parks; of that,

23 percent is meeting targets. Overall 34 percent of Cedar Rapids has walkable access to

service that is meeting target levels.

There are significant areas that do not have access to parks andrecreation within walking distance from home.

Walkable level of service is higher for areas near trails.

There is a lower level of service in growing areas of Cedar Rapids.

Much of the service available to lower density residential areas isbeing provided by schools.


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What are residents priorities for Parks (in flood-affected areas)?

The four-month Neighborhood Planning Process, from January to Mayof 2009, worked with citizens to develop Area Plans and to begin Action

Plans for flood-affected neighborhoods. The information from the Parks

and Recreation Master Plan will be incorporated into the Action Plans

being carried out in the future.

Feedback regarding Park priorities from the NeighborhoodPlanning Process included:

A range of new open spaces, including mini-parks, neighborhood

parks and community parks

More sports fields close to downtown

Outdoor Event Spaces

Pet-friendly areas

Feedback on interests for Specific Parks:

An expanded Greene Square Park

A new park on the West side of the Cedar River

A revitalized Time Check Park connected to the Greenway

EllisHarbor

Cedar Valley(Rompot)

O Ave

TimeCheck

CzechVillage

NewBohemia

I-380

F Ave

E Ave

5TH

Ave

16TH

Ave

6TH

St

1STAve

3RD A

ve

8TH Av

e

12TH A

ve

16

TH Ave

10THSt

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d

EllisBlvd

TaylorArea

8THSt

5THSt

Oak HillJackson

CedarLake

3RDSt

1ST Av

e

Wilson Ave SW

Bow

lingStSW

N

0 2,500 ft,

TimeCheck Park

EllisPark

Ellis ParkGolf Course

ShawneePark

ApachePark

ClevelandPark

VeteransMemorial

Park

MurdochLinwood

CemeteryCzech

NationalCemetery

HayesPark

RiversidePark

GreeneSquarePark

Oak HillCemetery

St. JohnsCemetery

VanVechten

Park

DanielsPark

IroquoisPark

Cedar ValleyPark

UrbanFishery

ShaverPark

ManhattanRobbins

Lake Park


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Parks and Open Space System -

Challenges

Land within dense urban residentialdevelopments may be hard to acquire, ifnecessary for expanding parkland to meetminimum goals.

Some park components, such as destinationplaygrounds and outdoor pools cannot beoffered within each developed park due tocost of construction and operations.

Parkland located within the floodplain mayhave restricted uses, excluding fencing andstructures.

Balancing the needs for neighborhood parksand development of the Greenway.

Supporting operations to maintain 220additional acres of green space along the


18/26

Parks and Open Space System - Questions

Which types of parks are most important to you? Smallerneighborhood parks (Kenwood, Apache, Shawnee)?

Larger community parks (Jones, Ellis, Bever)? A balanced

mix of the two?

What types of activities are most important to you as

a park user? Sports Fields? Multi-use lawn areas? Picnicareas? Walking trails? Something else?

Do you prefer to use park spaces that are developed and

mowed or natural and undeveloped?

Which parks do you currently use?


19/26

What is the Cedar Rapids Riverfront and why is it important?

The Cedar Rapids Riverfront extends from Seminole Valley Usher's Ferry to

the north, through the City of Cedar Rapids, to Cheyenne Park to the south.

Prior to the Flood, the Downtown Vision 2007 for Cedar Rapids recognized

the revitalization of the Riverfront as a top priority:

to create a centralized destination for Greater Cedar Rapids

to provide civic places and spaces for gathering on the river; and,to create continuous public access via trails and connected park spaces.

1 inch = 2,000 ft

0 10,000 ft

N


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The Flood Management System - The Greenway

Following the 2008 Flood, the City and its citizens mobilized to

create a plan for reinvestment and recovery. During the first

phase of planning, the River Corridor Redevelopment Process, a

flood management strategy was identified to provide greater flood

protection for the community.

Cedar Rapids new flood management system will include riverwalls,

levees and a 220-acre open space between the levees and floodwalls

and the river. This new space, called "The Greenway, " will help to

absorb flood waters and will become a community recreational area.

Area of non-structuralflood control

Greenway

Levee Gate or Levee opening

Existing Parks

Floodwall Bridge Improvement

Important Cross-River connection

EllisHarbor


O Ave

TimeCheck

CzechVillage

NewBohemia

I-380

F Ave

E Ave

5TH

Ave

16TH

Ave

6TH

St

1STAve

3RD A

ve

8TH Av

e

12TH A

ve

16

TH Ave

10THSt

CSt

E d

g e w o o

d R

d

EllisBlvd

TaylorArea

8THSt

5THSt

Oak HillJackson3RD

St

1ST Av

e

Wilson Ave SW

Bow

lingStSW

Edgewood

N0 2,500 ft,

CedarLake


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Within this 220-acre Greenway, 192 properties were deemed eligiblefor acquisition through the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Properties acquired through this program carry permanent restrictions

on what can be developed. These restrictions are:

Allowable Uses:

Open Air Structures

Public Restrooms

Camping

Agriculture

Unpaved roads, trails

Boat ramps, docks, piers for public recreation

Multi-purpose fields

Uses Not Allowed:

Enclosed Structures

Indoor Performance Venue

Indoor Pavilion

Impermeable Surfaces

Paved Sports Courts

Swimming Pools

Paved Streets

Restrictions on the Greenways Use

GreenwayBuyout Parcels

Construction AreaBuyout Parcels

Neighborhood RevitalizationParcels

EllisHarbor


O Ave

TimeCheck

CzechVillage

NewBohemia

I-380

F Ave

E Ave

5TH

Ave

16TH

Ave

6TH

St

1STAve

3RD A

ve

8TH Av

e

12TH A

ve

16

TH Ave

10THSt

CSt

E d

g e w o o

d R

d

EllisBlvd

TaylorArea

8THSt

5THSt

Oak HillJackson3RD

St

1ST Av

e

Wilson Ave SW

Bow

lingStSW

N

0 2,500 ft,

CedarLake

Flood-affectedParcels


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What are residents' priorities for the Riverfront?

Feedback specific to the Riverfront from the River CorridorRedevelopment Planning Process (Phase 1) and the Neighborhood

Planning Process (Phase 2) included:

Provide activities for a range of age groups and activity levels

Promote multi-seasonal uses

Maintain views of the river from the city whenever possible; and,

Incorporate sustainable infrastructure, green building and solar/

wind power.

Activities

Active recreation areas

River walk

Outdoor event space(s)

Spaces for Public Art and Interactive Sculpture

Shops, restaurants, and pavilions along the new Greenway

Taking advantage of the landfill for views, sledding, skiing, water park

Landscape Types

Public gardens

Prairie plantings

Wetland areas

EllisHarbor


O Ave

TimeCheck

CzechVillage

NewBohemia

I-380

F Ave

E Ave

5TH

Ave

16TH

Ave

6TH

St

1STAve

3RD A

ve

8TH Av

e

12TH A

ve

16

TH Ave

10THSt

CSt

E d

g e w o o

d R

d

EllisBlvd

TaylorArea

8THSt

5THSt

Oak HillJackson3RD

St

1ST Av

e

Wilson Ave SW

Bow

lingStSW

N

0 2,500 ft,

Wetland/Restored River

Edge

RiverW

alk

PrairieLandscape

Great Lawn/

Sport Recreation

Plaza

Sports Fields/

Recreation

Prairie

Landscape

Urban

Park

May's

Island

City

Terra

ceRiverfront

Amphitheater

Sport

Recreation

River Walk

UrbanFishery

CedarLake


23/26

Usher's Ferry Historic Village

Overview

Usher's Ferry Historic Village is an open living history facility featuring

exhibit buildings located on ten acres adjacent to Seminole Valley Park.

The Village produces a wide variety of workshops, programs and special

events that fulfill the mission of interpreting small town Iowa life one

hundred years ago. Programming includes tours, a Parlour Theater, school

programs, a Folk Festival, a Fairy Tale Festival, a Wild West Weekend and

Safe Halloween for Kids.

Chronology

1966 Following the 1962 flood, the City of Cedar Rapids acquires the

Seminole Valley area for flood control and expansion of the Citys well

system.

1975- 2000 Many historic homes and businesses are relocated toPioneer Village. With the arrival of the 1855 Henry Usher home in 1984,

the Village is renamed Usher's Ferry.

2008 The June 2008 flood inundates Usher's Ferry with 34 of its

36 buildings taking on anywhere from 1 foot to 15 feet of water. Six

structures are destroyed and 2,000 of 7,000 objects in the collection are

lost or destroyed.

October 2008- May 2009 More than 10,000 hours of volunteerlabor assist in recovery efforts. Over $40,000 in grants and donations are

received. Friends of Usher's Ferry receives 501C3 non-profit status in May

2009 to assist in fund raising and development.

Flooding Impact at Usher's Ferry

34 of 36 historic homes and businesses flooded.

Six structures destroyed: Log House, Tinker Shop, Livery Stable,

Blacksmiths Shed, Scale Shed, Section Hand Shed.

Approximately 2,000 of 7,000 objects in the collection lost or

destroyed.

More than 10,000 hours of volunteer labor for flood recovery since

October 2008.

Over $40,000 in grants and donations received to assist with recovery.

Volunteers have come from Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Dakota,

Missouri, and many other states to help with recovery.


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Usher's Ferry Historic Village Museum Assessment

In July of 2008, Usher's Ferry Historic Village was informed of approval for its participationin the Museum Assessment program through a grant. This is a partnership program of the

American Association of Museums and the Institute for Museum and Library Services.

A committee of Usher's Ferry staff, volunteers and visitors has been meeting monthly forthe last year to complete the self-study portion of the assessment. The committee has

examined every aspect of the sites operation including its mission statement, governance,finances, interpretation theory and visitor experience.

Challenges:

Indoor programming space needed

The village needs indoor space for special events, programs and revenue-generating

rentals.

Protection from future flooding

Increased flood protection including the possibility of raising or moving buildings isneeded.

SustainabilityAlternative funding sources must be explored to increase revenue and decrease

subsidy levels for future sustainability of the Village.

Questions:

Had you visited Usher's Ferry prior to the flood? Had you taken out of town gueststo visit Usher's Ferry?

How would you rate the value of the museum to the community?

What options would you like to see studied for Usher's Ferry? (eg. move or raise

buildings for flood protection; private partnerships to decrease taxpayer funding;more indoor building space?)

Items discussed to date include:

Indoor Space A need for increased indoor space for special events,

programs and revenue generating rentals.

Flood Protection A need for increased flood protection for the Village,

including the possibility of raising or moving some Village buildings as aflood protection measure.

Building Removal The need for the removal of several Village buildings

that cannot reasonably be restored or protected from future flooding.

Decrease Taxpayer Funding The need to continue to decrease

taxpayer funding by increasing revenue generation, visitation, grant funding,

and corporate and individual contributions.

Partnerships The opportunity to create and grow partnerships witharea museums, businesses, and schools for events, funding, and educational

programming.


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What are some potential ways of programming and recreating on the River?

Community feedback during previous planning efforts has consistentlyindicated a desire for more active use of the Cedar River. Focus for

the future could include expansion, improvement or development of

opportunities such as:

Boating

Boating within Cedar Rapids is limited to the pool upstream of the 5-in-1

Dam, with access only possible at Ellis Harbor and at Mohawk Park.

A 2008 Survey of Ellis Harbor stakeholders found support for attracting

a wider public to the riverfront.

Fishing

Dedicated fishing sites on the river are generally limited to upstream of

the Dam and Cedar Lake.

The Urban Fisheries project to the south is underway and will providefurther opportunities.

River Access

Most of the walkways are significantly higher than the normal river

elevation, allowing few opportunities for physical access to the river.

Water Events

Water-based events and spectacles are currently limited. These include

water skiing shows and occasional boating events during larger City

events like the Freedom festival.


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Riverfront Questions

What waterfront uses would you like to see in theGreenway? What's missing from activities listed on the

previous boards?

What kinds of landscapes do you want to see on the

riverfront? Open lawn? Sports fields? Natural areas?

Riverwalks? Event spaces?

Cedar Rapids Parks OpenHouse Boards

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