Iowa City finalizes Ped Mall playground design

IOWA CITY — The design for Iowa City’s playground in the downtown Pedestrian Mall has been finalized and equipment has been ordered.

The project steering committee and Parks and Recreation Commission agreed on a design after reviewing public input submitted by more than 550 respondents. The city shared a proposed concept for the playground in April and showed a redesigned version a month later after feedback from residents.

The playground was last renovated 20 years ago.

Parks and Recreation Director Juli Seydell Johnson said the revised concept was then taken to playground manufacturers.

“I really think this will be a very fun place for the entire family to hang out downtown,” Seydell Johnson said.

Seydell Johnson said there have been “some tweaks” to the design due to what can be purchased.

The tower with the slides will be accessible to the top level by stairs to make it easier for people to access, which wasn’t shown before, Seydell Johnson said.

The appearance of the tower also changed, she added.

“Before, it looked more like a rocket ship, and now it looks more like an architectural feature that the committee on this felt like that actually fit better with the downtown architecture,” Seydell Johnson said.

Toddler swings and City of Literature elements were also added to the design.

Seydell Johnson said it will take longer than normal to receive the equipment, which is why installation has been pushed to next year.

“Usually, playground equipment takes eight to 10 weeks between the time you order it and the time you receive it,” Seydell Johnson said. “We've built in extra time because manufacturing plants are running so far behind right now.”

The city should receive the equipment by February, she added.

Construction and installation of the playground are scheduled for spring 2022.

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