Introduction
The Indianola Parks and Recreation department has responsibility for the City of Indianola parks, recreation, and aquatic programs and facilities. The park system encompasses 239 acres, consisting of 19 parks and recreation areas, a new outdoor aquatic center, a senior center, and a 1.6-mile paved recreation trail.
The purpose of the Indianola Parks and Recreation Plan is to assist the city in ensuring that current and future Indianola citizens have the opportunity to participate in a range of recreational activities in a safe, convenient, and visually pleasing environment.
The Indianola Parks and Recreation Plan 1) inventories existing parks and recreation facilities and reviews citizen interest and concerns, 2) identifies park and recreation surpluses and deficiencies, 3) recommends improvements and future expansion of the parks and recreation system and develops a ten-year action plan to implement recommendations, 4) identifies potential funding sources, and 5) discusses the recently completed Pickard Park Master Plan.
Facility Recommendations
Park and Recreation System Expansion
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New recreation facility and community parks. New, centrally located Community/Senior Center for senior activities and community recreational activities such as meetings, crafts, classes, training, indoor swimming, gymnasium, aerobics/fitness training, etc. Two new community parks: 1) old dump site at west end of Iowa Avenue as nucleus of 127-acre park featuring wooded tracts, large pond, an observation tower, and mountain biking; 2) 120-acre tract at northeast corner of E. Iowa Avenue and 15th Street for unprogrammed teen activities including soccer, football, softball/baseball, roller hockey, etc. and future use as a sports complex for tennis, outdoor aquatics, soccer, volleyball, and baseball/softball.
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Eleven new neighborhood parks in areas slated for future residential development.
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No additional mini-parks added to park system.
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Establish three greenway/linear park systems along former railroad right-of-ways and drainageways to link existing and proposed parks and recreation areas to form a unified park system: 1) Cavitt Creek and tributaries in Northwest section of town; 2) along citys two railroad rights-of-way in northeast section of town; and 3) South River valley and four tributary streams in south section of town.
Recreational Trails Network
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Recreational Trails Master Plan. Initiate a process to develop a Master Plan to set trail standards, routes, locations, widths, street crossings, trailhead sites, other system components, phasing, and cost estimates. Master Plan will identify off-road primary and branch trails, and roadside trails in street rights-of-way.
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Green Streets. Classify proposed major and minor arterials and major collectors as Green Streets designed to accommodate street trees and roadside recreational trails, and to prohibit above-ground utility wires. Retrofit existing major and minor arterial and major collectors as green streets where feasible.
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Regional Recreational Trails Network. Indianola as the hub of a trail network constructed 1) roadside trail in Hwy. 92 right-of-way to Martensdale to connect with great Western Trail, 2) rails to trails conversion north to Carlisle, 3) roadside trail in county road rights-of-way south to Lake Ahquabi, and 4) east along Spring Creek to Balloon Grounds in abandoned railroad right-of-way.
Existing Park Facility Improvements
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System-wide park improvements to make parks more convenient and accessible to all park users. Improvements include restrooms, drinking fountains, full-court basketball courts, replacement of obsolete play equipment, and ADA accessibility compliance.
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Gateways at key entrances to city creating strong, quickly understood visual impressions to welcome visitors and residents.
Programming Recommendations
Youth activities. Set up a committee to study current teen programs and activities and recommend improvements and revisions.
Senior activities. Build a new senior center and expand the range of activities available.
Recreation and leisure programs. Conduct periodic, statistically valid, comprehensive surveys to determine program interests and needs. Monitor and respond to changes in community preferences for programming revisions.
Water-related activities. Work with public and private facilities clustered near Lake Ahquabi to develop and expand the availability of water-related activities and programs. Work with local service clubs to replace Lions Park wading pool with splash pools. Incorporate an indoor swimming pool into plans for a community recreation center.
Camping. Review campgrounds operations and facilities and determine whether the City should continue to provide camping.
Department Operations Recommendations
Partnering. Establish partnership agreements with public and private nonprofit agencies to make joint use of recreational facilities. Solicit private sponsorship for programs, facilities, and events; possibilities include ice skating rinks, Showmobile, splash pools, outdoor concerts, annual special events, transportation services, etc.
Safety/security. Set up neighborhood park watch programs and safe street crossings on routes to recreation areas/facilities. Work with Public Safety Department to secure and monitor parks.
Communication. Improve communications between the Parks and Recreation Department and the community by means of better public notification methods, annual parks master plan publication, improved marketing and advertising, regular meeting with City Council. Produce promotional and information videos about department programs, events, and activities for cable TV.
Funding Recommendations
Brainstorming. Sessions with key Indianola business leaders to develop strategies to implement plan recommendations.
Resource development. Hire a staff person to solicit funds and to research and write grant applications.
Indianola Parks and Recreation Foundation. Work closer with Foundation to assist its fundraising efforts and to communicate Parks and Recreation Department needs.
Utility bill round-up program. Set up a program in which utility customers can round up their utility bill payments with the extra money collected going to a parks fund or endowment.
Maintenance and operations funding. Establish municipal budgeting procedures providing for adequate funding for maintenance, operations, and personnel whenever new parks and recreational facilities are added. Include personnel needs and costs as part of development costs. Establish a maintenance set-aside program for facility revitalization and major or unforeseen repairs.
Land Acquisition
Acquisition strategy. Establish strategy to acquire land in areas where need currently exists or will exist in the future.
Acquisition criteria. Develop criteria to guide decisions on acquisition and disposal of park land.
Land dedication. Implement procedures that require land dedication or payment-in-lieu of land dedication prior to approval of subdivision plats or building permits for new construction. Establish criteria for land to be dedicated. Require that subdivisions comply with Parks and Recreation Department plans and needs for land in the area being platted.
Long Range
Protect the Hwy. 65-69 scenic corridor between Indianola and Des Moines.
The entire plan can be reviewed at the Indianola Parks and Recreation Office or the Indianola Public Library.
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