Reimagining Area Parks: A Collaborative Venture For Enhanced Community Experience
Community members share their thoughts and insights with officials from Mahaska County Conservation and the City of Oskaloosa.
In a groundbreaking collaboration, the city of Oskaloosa, Mahaska County Conservation, and Iowa State University College of Design Lab are joining forces. This partnership aims to develop a comprehensive plan that integrates all parks within the county and opportunities with what the community desires most.
“The main purpose is to give us a focus on what the people want us to work towards – what kind of amenities, what kind of services, what kind of opportunities they would like to have in their park systems here locally,” says Mahaska County Conservation Director Chris Clingan.
Clingan added, “This will give us a more specific idea of what individuals like and prefer, what draws them to our certain parks. Whether it’s different natural features or a different form of infrastructure like the trail that goes around town, it is a popular park system within the city.”
“This is the first time that we’re going to have the opportunity to have some more of those conversations to get a better idea of what people want,” Clingan said in conclusion.
Stew Timm with the City of Oskaloosa also shared that the meeting was a way “to get interest from the community and the county on what parks are being used. Maybe which ones aren’t being used, [and] potentially which ones would be used more if there were more amenities.”
“The next step is, do we do playground improvements in areas, or are those playground areas not being utilized?” explained Timm. “[Maybe] we need to change our focus to a different part of town, maybe where there are newer houses or developments or maybe there’s a need there.”
The focus is on assessing the current usage of city and county parks and identifying potential improvements. Key considerations include enhancing playground facilities and developing new areas. Collaboration with Iowa State will culminate in a final research vision project, due by April 24. A follow-up public engagement session is planned post-research, ensuring community voices shape the future of Oskaloosa’s green spaces.
