Parks & Recreation

A small town and a river seen from above.

Manchester's Shelly Park Reopens

Wednesday, September 13, 2023
During the 2020-2021 academic year, the University of Iowa’s Initiative for Sustainable Communities (IISC) partnered with Manchester to complete 16 projects. One of these was a project undertaken by four Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) students for improvement to Shelly Park, which sits directly on the Maquoketa River. This summer, their plans were realized when the newly renovated park was officially opened.
Digital image of two rows of trees with a path down the middle.

Bondurant - Chichaqua Valley Trailhead and Trail Improvements

Published
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

For their capstone project in Civil and Environmental Engineering, a team of students devised a way to connect two sections of the popular Chichaqua Valley Trail. Their design will create a more direct path for bikers and pedestrians. The design also includes a new bridge to replace an existing railroad bridge that has deteriorated and is no longer safe. Additionally, the team designed a food truck plaza, arboretum, and parking.

Four young adults wearing winter coats and hats stand in front of a bronze sculpture.

Sidney Park Expansion

Published
Monday, June 19, 2023
Academic year
2022-2023
Partner

For their senior capstone project in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, four students create plans to expand features in Sidney's central downtown park. The space is relatively small, but the City wanted to add a multipurpose court for both basketball and pickle ball; a restroom; storage; and increased car and bicycle parking. The team calculated the wastewater runoff created by the additional surfaces in the park and also added a rain garden.

designs for a new gymnasium

Manning Gymnasium

Published
Thursday, June 15, 2023
Academic year
2022-2023
Partner

As part of their senior capstone project, three students in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering designed a new gymnasium for the City of Manning. The project features a new full-sized basketball court that be split in half for practice courts and that will give the city more practice space as well as the ability to host basketball and volleyball tournaments.

Computer graphic of campground with tents and cars.

Clinton - Eagle Point Park Campground Design

Published
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Academic year
2022-2023
Partner

For their capstone project, students in Civil and Environmental Engineering designed a primitive campground site for Eagle Point Park in Clinton, IA. The site will provide a new outdoor experience for local residents and attract visitors to the area. It has drive-in tent camping as well as several walk-in sites. The campground also adds a new restroom and storm shelter to the park.

landscape view of a fountain with trees in the background

Festival Time! Engineering Students Create Plans for Clinton Park

Tuesday, January 24, 2023
Students in the University of Iowa's Civil and Environmental Engineering Department provide designs to renovate and add to Clinton's Riverview Park as it prepares to host a large music festival.
A group of young adults sitting on a blanket outside.

Clinton Riverview Park Festival Area Engineering and Design

Published
Wednesday, August 24, 2022
Academic year
2022-2023
Partner

Students in the College of Engineering's Civil Engineering area completed their undergraduate capstone projects with a focus on Clinton's Riverview Park. Because the park is the site of a new festival is bringing a much larger number of visitors to the area than in the past, the City asked the team to develop plans to upgrade current facilities and add new fixtures to better accommodate the park's evolving use.

Shelly Park

Manchester - Shelly Park Redevelopment

Published
Monday, September 7, 2020
Academic year
2020-2021
Partner

As part of their Senior Design Capstone course, Civil & Environmental Engineering students created designs for improvements to Manchester's Shelly Park, a highly used amenity adjacent to the whitewater rafting course on the Maquoketa River.   

Pedestrian Bridge example

Manchester - Maquoketa River Pedestrian Bridge

Published
Monday, September 7, 2020
Academic year
2020-2021
Partner

As part of their Senior Design Capstone course, Civil & Environmental Engineering students created designs for improvements to Manchester's Schram park, including a pedestrian bridge over the Maquoketa River, a parking lot, and a trail connection that links to the existing trail network.  

Sidney, Iowa

Sidney Safe Routes to School Trail Design

Published
Saturday, February 8, 2020
Academic year
2018-2019
Partner

As part of the Senior Design Capstone Course, Civil & Environmental Engineering students identified trail route alternatives connecting the Sidney community to the Sidney High School located just outside of town, and provided the trail design and cost estimates for the selected route. 

North Liberty, Iowa

North Liberty Showcase Pavilion & Outdoor Performance Venue- Design & Engineering

Published
Saturday, February 8, 2020
Academic year
2018-2019

As part of their Senior Design Capstone course, Civil & Environmental Engineering students prepared a design report and cost estimates for a "Showcase Pavilion & Outdoor Performance Venue" in North Liberty's Centennial Park.

Manning, Iowa

Manning Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan

Published
Saturday, February 8, 2020
Academic year
2018-2019
Partner

As part of his graduate capstone project, Sports & Recreation management student Thomas Harder collaborated with the Manning Parks and Recreation department on a strategic plan for their community recreation center and ballfields.