Iowa City’s Ped Mall playground closes for renovation

IOWA CITY — The playground on Iowa City’s Pedestrian Mall will be closed for the next six to eight weeks as a long-awaited revamp is undertaken.

The playground, which closed for renovations on Monday, will be removed before the new equipment and surfacing is installed. The area has been fenced off so demolition of the current playground can begin.

The playground was last replaced 20 years ago. The estimated cost is $234,000.

Last year, the city’s release of plans for the new playground drew more than 550 comments in April. Residents’ feedback was incorporated into a redesign, which was presented to the public a month later.

The playground design was finalized last October and the equipment ordered.

The new structure will include a play tower, shaded play space, toddler swings and City of Literature elements, among other features.

The tower with slides will have stair access to all levels.

If construction remains on schedule, the new playground could be ready in late September or early October.

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