Government Notes: More outdoor classrooms being added to Iowa City schools

Construction will begin on five new outdoor classrooms at schools in the Iowa City Community School District this year, adding to the 12 spaces already in place or underway.

“The idea is to add a new kind of learning environment to what is already offered,” Iowa City district grounds manager Ben Grimm said in a news release. “Outdoor classrooms are meant to help students relax and engage with their learning.”

Grimm said the spaces are intended to foster activity and conversation rather and incorporate irregular seating, such as stumps and rock, as well as unique classroom features like easels, activity tables, shade shelters and stages.

The spaces aim to bring students closer to the natural world.

“We really want to incorporate nature and the existing topography,” Grimm said. “The plants we use are native and visually interesting, but also tactile in terms of touch and smell.”

Grimm also celebrated student involvement in the project. High school construction classes assist in the fabrication of shade structures, desks and other classroom features. Elementary students often are engaged in planting flower beds.

“If high school students want to see what it is like when professionals form up, dye, and pour concrete, they can witness that firsthand,” Grimm said. “When they go that extra step to help us build structures in class, they can know they did a real public service for kids in their community.”

Teams at each school were tasked with weighing design components within a set budget. Each outdoor classroom is unique in part because schools select them for different curricular purposes, ranging from science labs to art and music workshops.

Kirkwood Elementary School, for example, has an outdoor classroom featuring a gazebo and pavilion surrounded by planters, work tables, a rainwater collection device and other learning tools.

Linn County seeks feedback, photos for website redesign

Linn County is seeking resident feedback — and artwork — to help with its ongoing website redesign.

The county last week launched an online survey to collect feedback on the current website’s functionality, appearance, navigation and content. To complete the survey, visit bit.ly/LinnCowebdesign and answer the questions by Sept. 17.

All responses will be reviewed to help county staff measure residents’ website usage and potential improvements.

The site, found at linncountyiowa.gov, acts as the county’s main online information hub. It includes links to the various county departments, maps, meeting agendas and public updates.

As part of its website redesign process, the county also is inviting residents to submit photos showcasing Linn County’s unique nature and character.

Selected photos will be featured on the redesigned website, expected to go live in early 2026.

Photos must be taken in Linn County and be the original work of the person submitting the photo, who will be credited on the website. Up to three photos may be submitted per person.

Photos can be turned in online at bit.ly/LinnCophotos through noon on Sept. 29.

TRAIL of Johnson County to host Jan Jensen as seminar speaker

Johnson County-based TRAIL, one of the only nonprofits in Iowa dedicated to helping older adults age in place, is hosting a seminar series, “Closing the Gap: Healthspan vs. Lifespan.”

The nonprofit — which stands for Tools and Resources for Active Independent Living — hosts social and educational events and connects volunteers with older adults to help with things such as transportation, medical advocacy, phone-check ins and house or yard work.

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University of Iowa Women’s basketball head coach Jan Jensen will lead off the series on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 12:30 p.m. with Doctor of Physical Therapy Julie Fitzpatrick in a seminar called “Optimal Wellness: A Proactive Approach.”

All seminars will take place at the North Liberty Community Center located at, 520 W. Cherry St.

After the Oct. 2 seminar, all subsequent events will begin at 2 p.m.

Each of the seminars are free to attend, but attendees must register at tinyurl.com/2p9z7238 or by calling 319-800-9003.

Coralville adopts targeted grazing policy for sheep, goats

The Coralville City Council adopted a targeted grazing policy for residents and businesses that wish to use sheep or goats for vegetation management.

As a part of the policy, an annual permit must be issued by the city. A permit application must be submitted at least a week before the grazing period. Additionally, the city clerk must be notified of the grazing at least 48 hours before it begins.

The policy also outlines requirements for rabies vaccination of the animals and temporary fencing requirements.

Iowa City’s Court Street reconstruction project transit detours

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To facilitate work on the Court Street Reconstruction Project, certain roads will be closed and the 2-Court Street transit bus line will detour.

The estimated $9.6 million reconstruction of Court Street, between Muscatine Avenue and First Avenue, includes complete replacement of the street and sidewalks, upgrades to the utility lines in the area, new traffic signals and a new joint utility trench that would move utility lines underground.

Court Street will be closed to traffic at the Seventh Avenue intersection through November. A marked detour will be available along Muscatine Ave and First Ave.

The 2-Court Street bus route will detour to allow for pavement repairs at the Camden Road and Ashford Place intersection. The outbound route will no travel from Court Street to Arlington Drive to Whitechapel Drive to Ashford Place to York Place to Kenneth Drive. The changes are expected to last around two weeks.

Additionally, due to changes in the construction site the following stops will resume service beginning Monday Sept. 8:

Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. The Gazette’s Grace King, Grace Nieland and Megan Woolard contributed.