Getting Started - Neighborhood Meeting July 11, 2013

We kicked off this project on July 11, 2013 with a neighborhood meeting in which residents of the Rose, Tulip, and Violet Lane area were invited to attend a come and go meeting to help provide input on the design and features of the new pocket park.

Residents of the neighborhood meet with City staff to discuss features of the playground

The families that attended were very helpful in providing feedback on the current activities occurring in the neighborhood and some of the things that would be beneficial for the kids of the neighborhood in this pocket park.

We left the meeting with a good understanding that the park needed to include a basketball court (or half court), slides, and swings along with some other play features.  There was also a desire to have a bench or two and a picnic table available in the park.

The land that is available for the park is available thanks to a generous donation by the Kessler Family of Storm Lake who donated the lot to the City for the development of a park.  We are also appreciative of the Buena Vista County Habitat for Humanity Group for adding a small portion of their adjoining lot to the park area as well.

This vacant area will soon be playground

City staff were joined at the meeting by a playground vendor who will be working with the City in the design of some of the playground features.  Residents were able to look through the vendor's catalog and look at the options that are available for slides, climbing components, and play features.  Following the meeting staff and the vendor will go back and look at designing something that will incorporate the ideas of the residents that also fits within the playground budget.

Within the next few weeks the City will be developing a preliminary timeline for the park development and will post that along with updates to the design and design ideas to this blog and the City's project web page.

So check back here for more information in the upcoming weeks and if you haven't already please like the City of Storm Lake on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@Storm_Lake) for updates on this project and others.