Prospect Park in Council Bluffs has just reopened following some necessary upgrades. The park’s playground was built around 1984, and it was time for a new one. Neighbors informed the parks and recreation department that they wanted a new structure with swings and new play elements.
Vincent Martorello, Director of C.B. Parks and Recreation, showed us the new playground, which features swings, slides, a tower structure, a balance beam, and mushroom-shaped stepping stones.
A new rubber surface has been installed underneath the playground and swings. While more expensive to install, it is more durable and safer than other ground materials such as mulch over time. Access to the playground is also made easier and safer thanks to a new ADA-compliant sidewalk to street level.
Martorello intends to continue upgrading one or two parks in Council Bluffs each year going forward. He stated that many of the city’s playgrounds are from the 1990s and share similar structures and play areas.
The goal is to have at least one unique play item in each park so that neighbors can visit other parks for new experiences. A climbing rock is the one-of-a-kind feature at Prospect Park.
Prospect Park also has an ADA-compliant swing, and the rubber surface allows for easier mobility. Future park upgrades will also include more ADA compliant equipment, and plans are underway to establish a fully inclusive park somewhere in the city.
Fairmount, Big Lake, and Valley View are among the parks set to be upgraded.