WELCOME

PURPOSE
The purpose of this first open house is to get feedback on the City’s parks
and recreation needs, public participation process, and work to date. This
Master Plan Process will include information on specific elements of the
plan, including:
s 0ARKSANDOPENSPACENEEDSFORAGROWINGCOMMUNITY
s $EVELOPMENTANDRECREATIONALUSESFORTHEGREENWAYANDRIVERFRONT
s 4RAILSANDCONNECTIVITYBETWEENPARKSAND
s )NDOORRECREATIONANDTHEGRASSROOTSINITIATIVEFORAMULTI GENERATIONAL
community life center.

Tentative Open House Schedule

Open House No. 1 Needs, existing facilities, process, work to date.
4UESDAY*UNE PM
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Open House No. 2 Master Plan Facility and Programming Options
4UESDAY!UGUST PM
Location to be determined
Open House No. 3 Master Plan Final Selected Facility
and Programming Options
4UESDAY/CTOBER PM
Location to be determined
The Challenge
This Parks & Recreation Master Plan
Open House Process must address the
following questions:
s7HATARETHEBESTFUTUREINVESTMENTS
to make to address quality of life needs,
competition with other Midwestern
CITIESANDCOMMUNITYDEVELOPMENT

s(OWDOESTHE#ITYOF#EDAR2APIDS
meet the community’s parks and
recreation indoor and outdoor needs
and ensure the system is sustainable and
AFFORDABLENOWANDINTHEFUTURE

s(OWDOESTHEOVERALL0ARKSAND
Recreation Master Plan impact flood
RECOVERYPLANNINGANDREINVESTMENTIN
THERIVERCORRIDORAREAS
 Master Plan Chronology
2003n2ECREATION$EPARTMENTCREATESITSOWNMASTERPLANOF
facilities and programs.
2007 – City Parks and Recreation departments combine to become
one united department.
2008 – City begins process of its first Parks and Recreation
-ASTER0LAN!CTIVITIESINCLUDINGANINVENTORYOFTHEPARKS
SYSTEMNEEDSASSESSMENTANDSTAKEHOLDERINTERVIEWS
were completed.
June 11-13, 2008n&LOODRESULTSINDAMAGESANDNEEDEDINVESTMENT
of at least $3 billion in Cedar Rapids, including some damages
TORIVERCORRIDORPARKSANDRECREATIONALFACILITIES
August 2008 – Parks Master planning process resumes and a post
mOODINVENTORYOCCURS
June 23, 2009 – First of three Parks & Recreation Master Plan
Open House held.

Other Related Processes:

s P.L.A.Y.MULTI GENERATIONALCOMMUNITYCENTERRECREATIONAL
facility (2005 to date).
s Greenwayn&LOOD-ANAGEMENT3YSTEMn2IVER#ORRIDOR0ROCESS
*UNE .OV 
s Riverfront Usesn2IVERFRONT-ASTER0LAN0ROCESSn(ALTEDDUE
to June 2008 flood.
s Neighborhood Planning Processn2EINVESTMENTPLANSFOR
mOOD IMPACTEDNEIGHBORHOODS*AN -AY 
 What is a Parks & Recreation
Master Plan and why do we need it?
A Parks and Recreation Master Plan will:
s'UIDEDECISIONSABOUTEXISTINGANDNEW
PARKSFORTHENEXTlVETOTENYEARS
s)DENTIFYPARKIMPROVEMENTANDDEVELOPMENT
priorities to ensure a system that meets
community needs.
s%STABLISHCLEARMAINTENANCEGUIDELINESAND
strategies consistent with City capabilities.
s-AKERECOMMENDATIONSFORCOSTRECOVERY
land acceptance standards and operational
efficiencies.
s!SSISTINTHEPURSUITOFALTERNATIVEFUNDINGBY
demonstrating community need and support.
s!LLOWTHESYSTEMTOADAPTTORECENTDEMOGRAPHIC
changes (i.e. “boomers entering retirement”
needs).
s%NSURETHE#ITYSSYSTEMISSUSTAINABLEAND
financially feasible into the future.
 What is the value of our
open space and recreation system?
7ELL DESIGNEDANDMAINTAINEDPARKS
open space and recreational opportunities
PROVIDEAPOSITIVEIMPACTTO
s4HEHEALTHOFTHECOMMUNITYBY
ENCOURAGINGMOREACTIVELIFESTYLES
s4HEECONOMICDEVELOPMENTOFTHE#ITY
by attracting businesses and retaining
current residents.
s4HEQUALITYOFLIFETOCURRENTRESIDENTS
and future generations.
s4HEECOLOGICALHEALTHOFTHECOMMUNITY
BYPROVIDINGHABITATWATERQUALITY
ANDPLANTDIVERSITY
s4HESAFETYOFTHECOMMUNITYBYREDUCING
crime, with a focus on youth crime.
s4HEQUALITYOFLIFEFORAGINGPOPULATIONSBY
INCREASINGHEALTHANDINDEPENDENTLIVING
Master Plan Project Goals
s%NSURINGASYSTEMWHICHTHE#ITYANDITS
taxpayers can afford.
s-EETINGNEEDSTOATTRACTANDRETAIN
residents and the next generation of workers.
s%NHANCINGTHEUSEOFOURRIVERFRONTAND
ATTRACTINGRESIDENTSTOTHERIVER
s%NSURINGINDOORRECREATIONALFACILITY
needs are met and are affordable for
the community.
s!DDRESSINGmOODDAMAGETOTHEPARKSAND
recreational system.
s0ROVIDINGACOMMUNITY WIDEPERSPECTIVETO
the parks and recreation system as priorities
are set to meet operational funding constraints.
s%NHANCINGCONNECTIVITYOFPARKSANDOPEN
space through the trail system.
Overview of Parks and Recreation System
The City's existing Parks and Recreation System consists of the following:

Parks and Open Space

• There are 3,091 acres of named park areas, excluding golf courses, at 57
sites. An additional 60 parcels of land comprising 268 acres are located
throughout the City.
• The majority of this acreage is in large parks such as Ellis Park and the
Tuma Complex.
• There are also many small parks that serve the City's neighborhoods and
areas that are natural and undeveloped.

The Riverfront
• Approximately 1700 acres.
• 48 percent of the City’s open space and natural areas are within FEMA
designated flood plains. 80 percent of this property is a natural area,
greenway or open land.

Indoor Recreation
• 3 functioning indoor facilities – Bender Pool, Ambroz Recreation Center,
and Noelridge Greenhouse.
• 2 indoor facilities destroyed by the flood – Time Check Recreation Center
and the Riverside Roundhouse.

Trails
• 24 miles of existing trails.
How does our Parks System compare to similar Midwestern communities?
Compared to seven similar Midwestern cities, the Cedar Rapids Parks and Cedar Rapids
RESOURCE MAPParks and Recreation System
B: SYSTEM
Recreation System is: LEGEND
Boundary - Corporate
Recreation Locations
Cedar Rapids Parks

Overall Budget F
G
Golf Course
Metro Parks
Indoor Recreation Facilities
Recreation Trail Alignments - Post 2008 Flood Conditions
Trail Currently In Use
Trail Currently Not Accessible

• At the midpoint overall in budget Other Park Trails & Paths

Public School
College or University
Tuma Memorial Soccer Complex

Railroad

Parks and Open Space

§
¦
¨ 380
Lowe

City

• Third highest total park acres Fox Trail

Huntington Ridge
J.W. Gill

Butterfield

Fay M. Clark Memorial Park

Kainz
Nixon Bowman Woods Taube
Willowood
Dry Creek Boyson
Lininger

• Third highest ratio of total park and open space acres per 1,000 people
Gazebo
Guthridge
Ashworth Ct. 18th/Miller
Tucker Willow
Donnelly

Tower Elza
Hanging Bog
Peg Pierce Complex Grant

F
G
Collins Road
Twin Pines Golf Course Wood
Thomas/Legion Trail

Rock Island Preserve Pierce Hanna

Noelridge
Starry Ascension

• Lowest in total developed park acres

Twin Pines
Squaw Creek (City CR)
Glenbrooke Cove
Kenwood Garnett
Unnamed Glass Rd. NE
Faulks Heritage Woods
Unnamed Long Bluff Rd. NE

Papoose
Cedar River Trail ROW
Manhattan-Robbins Lake
Shaver
Seminole Valley - Ushers Ferry Mt. Mercy College Donald Gardner Golf Course

Trails
McCloud
Ellis Park Golf Course Mohawk Run Daniels Northview
Tomahawk Quarton
Ellis
Artists Memorial ue
Cedar Lake en
t Av
1s Sac & Fox Greenway
Central Sun Valley
Bever
Coe College Redmond
Huston
Morgan Creek

F
G
Wilderness Estates Time Check
Jackson Fairview
Anderson
Wellington
Shawnee Time Check Glenway Lincoln Heights
Riverfront West Green Square
F
G
• Second lowest miles of trails
Ambrose
Tokhiem Plaza
Cherry Hill Cherokee Apache Bender Pool Viola Gibson Arrowhead

Jacolyn
Haskell
Chandler
Krebs Reed
Riverfront East

Masaryk
F
G
Sinclair
Hidder

Cedar Hills Whittam

Williams Cleveland Van Vechten
Monroe

F
G
Riverside
Coolidge Veterans Memorial Osborn
Tennis Center
10th Square Riverside Roundhouse
Sokol
Stejskal Iroquois Irene Dumpke
Stefan
Cheyenne
£
¤
30 Hayes Field
Cedar Valley Sac & Fox Greenway

Recreation
Delaney Alandale
e
nu

ail
ve r
tA

T
1s
Stewart Road Property

x
Van Buren

Fo
Don Murphy Lake
Jones Cedar Valley Lake

&
ac
Urban Fishery S

Jones Park Golf Course

Tait Cummins
Sports Complex Old River Rd.

Cedar R
Beverly Prairie Creek

iver Trail
• Second lowest square footage of indoor recreation Beverly Gardens
Navajo

£
¤
30

Lincolnway

• Second highest recreation cost recovery Kirkwood Community College

Eastern Iowa Airport

0 1
¶ 2 3

§
¦
¨
Map Scale In Miles - Primary Frame
380
Map Produced For The City Of Cedar Rapids, Iowa - By The GRASP® Team
This Map Is Intended For Planning & Discussion Purposes Only - Please Refer To The Project Document For Map Details
Legend Elements May Vary In Size, Color And Transparency From Those Shown On Map

*Cities included Sioux Cities, IA; Rockford, IL; Sioux Falls, S.D.; St. Cloud, MN; La Crosse,WI; Lincoln, NE; GIS Data Sources May Include: The City Of Cedar Rapids, US Census, ESRI, GRASP® Team - January 2008
Copyright© 2009 The City Of Cedar Rapids - Map Revised – January 2009

Grand Rapids, MI; and data based on total quantity per 1,000 residents. CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS - IOWA
PARKS MASTER PLAN
How Do We Pay?
Budget Breakdown Funding ources
FY 2010
Funding Challenges FY 2010 Trans ers n FY 2010
($ 96,200)
Usher’s Ferry isc Re enue
Public funding is needed to support parks and recreation systems. The primary ($ 277,638) ($ 53,190)
source of funding in Iowa is the property tax. Rents & Royalties
($ 294,619)
Opportunities for park and recreation user fees and charges are limited.
Aquatics
Unfortunately, other funding sources that are available in other states are not available ($ 1,351,756)
in Iowa. These include:
Parks
($ 3,149,477) harges For er ices
• Park Impact Fee (fees to fund new parks to serve new residential ($ 1,844,524)
development) – is allowed but often challenged by developers.
Recreation Pro erty Ta u sidy
($ 2,790,840) ($ 5,265,178)
• Park Land Dedication Requirements – need more specific land
icenses & Per its
acquisition criteria to assure dedicated land is appropriate for needed and ($ 16,000)
intended use.

• Special Taxing Districts – also rely on property taxes.

Parks & Recreation
Total = $ 7,569,711 CIP Breakdown Parks & Recreation
• Sales Tax – recent passage of a one percent sales tax has limited some of that FY 2010 Total = $ 7,569,711
capacity.
Usher’s Ferry
• Grant funding – is limited and competitive with a high level of community ($ 0)

redevelopment needs.

Riverfront
Aquatics
($ 0)
($ 212,500)
In future Open Houses, citizens will weigh in on prioritizing the use of funds.
Recreation
Options to help balance budgets include: ($ 28,000)

• repurposing under utilized parkland; Parks

($ 812,936)
• reducing the amount of maintenance required; and,
• increasing fees to support expanded parkland.
What challenges for the Parks System were created by the 2008 Flood?
The 2008 Flood had a wide range of impacts to the existing Parks City-Owned Parks Affected by the 2008 Flood
and Recreation system:

• Temporarily impacted operationally

The Sac and Fox Greenway, for example was impassable
during the flood.

• Moderately impacted / Needed repair

Forty-six of the City's parks and recreation properties
were impacted; thirteen of these were in need of repair.
One site is 100 percent repaired, the other properties are
approximately 40 percent repaired.

• Significantly damaged / Candidate for replacement

Riverside Park's Roundhouse and the Time Check
Recreation Center.

• New park space created

The City's adopted Flood Management Strategy created 220
acres of new park space (“Greenway”) between the flood
protection line and the Cedar River.

The Park System, at the same time, fulfilled one of its purposes by
helping to offset some of the flood's impact on the community by
storing water, absorbing water, and by preventing development in
flood-prone areas.
What does the Community think about the existing Parks System?
A survey conducted by the Cedar Rapids Park and Recreation Most important outdoor facilities
Department in 2008 was mailed to 7,000 households. More than 829 to be added, expanded, or improved
individuals responded (a 12 percent response rate). Some of the
findings include:
Trails (Cedar River/Sac & Fox) 24% 13% 7% 42%

Highest in Overall Satisfaction

Picnic shelters/pavilions 14% 12% 13% 39%
(Percentage of respondents to respond '"Excellent")
Outdoor swimming pool and aquatic centers 13% 12% 11% 36%
1. Park Maintenance (77 percent)
Playgrounds 11% 9% 12% 31%
2. Trail Maintenance (77 percent)
Neighborhood walking trails (Cherokee Park/Cherry Hill Park) 7% 14% 9% 30%
3. Parks and recreation programming (68 percent)
Splash pads 3% 7% 6% 16%
Most important concerns for City to address to
increase use of parks and facilities Urban fishing (Mcleod run/Robin's lake) 4% 5% 7% 14%

1. Better condition of parks Dog park (off-leash areas) 5% 4% 5% 13%

2. More trails Baseball fields 5% 3% 3% 10%

Most important
3. Greater awareness of programs (increased communication) Softball fields 3% 4% 3% 10%
Second most important
Top three priorities for park and facility development Developed park land 2% 3% 4% 8% Third most important

1. Improve existing parks 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

2. Develop more trails Percent Responding

3. Add an outdoor event facility

Parks and Open Space System - Goals and Principles

• Provide a high level of service for parks, natural areas, and greenways.

• Provide an appropriate distribution and diversity of parks, natural

areas, and greenways.

• Maintain parks, natural areas, and greenways to meet community

expectations.

• Provide a system of parks, natural areas, and greenways that include

active and passive recreational opportunities within walking distance
of all urban residential development.

• Provide a park system that is sustainable for future generations.

Developed Parks are manicured open spaces with paved areas,

mowed lawns, and active recreation. They support many activities
and require a high level of maintenance.

Natural Areas require less maintenance and financial investment

than developed parks.
Parks and Open Space System - Survey Highlights
Top five most important outdoor facilities to be added,
expanded, or improved:

• Trails (Cedar River/Sac & Fox)

• Picnic shelters/pavilions

• Outdoor swimming pool and aquatic centers

• Playgrounds

• Neighborhood walking trails

(Cherokee Park/Cherry Hill Park)

Parks and recreation values and preferences responses

• 82 percent would like a mix of parks that incorporates

both native and manicured parks.

• 82 percent value having active recreation opportunities in

the parks near their home.

• 80 percent feel it is important to have a park within

walking distance of home.
Parks and Open Space System – Analysis of Level of Services
PERSPECTIVE A: NEIGHBORHOOD
NEIGHBORHOOD ACCESS TO ALL
ACCESS TO ALL COMPONENTS COMPONENTS
POST-FLOOD
A level of service analysis was completed to determine how POST-FLOOD
various parts of the community are being served by parks and LEGEND
Boundary - Corporate
Recreation Locations
Tuma Memorial Soccer Complex

Cedar Rapids Parks

recreation facilities. F
G
Golf Course
Metro Parks
Indoor Recreation Facilities
Manhattan-Robbins Lake
Recreation Trail Alignments - Post 2008 Flood Conditions Twin Pines Golf Course Donald Gardner Golf Course

Trail Currently In Use Mt. Mercy College

Trail Currently Not Accessible Seminole Valley - Ushers Ferry

Coe College

Other Park Trails & Paths Ellis Park Golf Course Van Vechten

Public School
Tuma Memorial Soccer Complex
College or University Cheyenne

Prairie Creek Sac & Fox Greenway

Barriers Limiting Pedestrian Access Beverly
Jones Park Golf Course
Cedar Valley Lake Urban Fishery
Railroad

1. Cedar Rapid’s parks and recreation facilities (including each

GRASP® Perspective - All Values
Kirkwood Community College

Less Access
Eastern Iowa Airport

§
¦
¨ 380

component such as playgrounds, shelters, ballfields, etc.) Greater Access

No Service
City
Lowe

LEGEND
GRASP® Perspective - Target Values
Below Target Minimum

were inventoried and mapped to establish a complete and

J.W. Gill At or Above Target Minimum
Huntington Ridge No Service
Fox Trail
Butterfield

Fay M. Clark Memorial Park

Kainz
Nixon Bowman Woods Taube

accurate database of parks and recreation amenities.

Willowood
Dry Creek Boyson
Gazebo Lininger
Guthridge
Ashworth Ct. 18th/Miller
Tucker Willow
Donnelly

Tower Elza
Hanging Bog
Peg Pierce Complex Grant

F
G
Collins Road
Twin Pines Golf Course Wood
Thomas/Legion Trail

Rock Island Preserve Pierce Hanna

Noelridge
Starry Ascension
Twin Pines
Squaw Creek (City CR)
Glenbrooke Cove
Kenwood Garnett

2. An area within a 10-minute walk (1/3 mile; 3 - 4 blocks) and

Unnamed Glass Rd. NE
Faulks Heritage Woods
Unnamed Long Bluff Rd. NE

Papoose
Cedar River Trail ROW
Manhattan-Robbins Lake
Shaver
Seminole Valley - Ushers Ferry Mt. Mercy College Donald Gardner Golf Course

10- minute bike ride (1 mile) of each facility was shaded to Ellis Park Golf Course

Ellis
Mohawk
McCloud
Run

Cedar Lake
Daniels
Tomahawk
Artists Memorial

Central 1s
t Av
en
ue
Northview
Quarton

Bever
Sun Valley Sac & Fox Greenway

Coe College Redmond

show access. Morgan Creek

Wilderness Estates
Jackson

Shawnee

Tokhiem
Time Check
F
G
Time Check
Riverfront West
Plaza
Green Square
Huston

Wellington
Fairview

Glenway

F
G
Anderson

Ambrose
Lincoln Heights

Cherry Hill Cherokee Apache Bender Pool Viola Gibson Arrowhead

Jacolyn
Haskell
Chandler
Krebs Reed
Riverfront East

Masaryk
F
G
Sinclair
Hidder

Cedar Hills Whittam

Williams Cleveland Van Vechten
Monroe

F
G
Riverside
Coolidge Veterans Memorial Osborn
Tennis Center
10th Square Riverside Roundhouse
Sokol
Stejskal Iroquois Irene Dumpke
Stefan
Cheyenne
£
¤
30 Hayes Field Sac & Fox Greenway

3. Areas on the map with darker shading have greater access

Cedar Valley
Delaney Alandale
e
nu

ail
ve r
tA

T
1s
Stewart Road Property

x
Van Buren

Fo
Don Murphy Lake
Jones Cedar Valley Lake

&
ac
Urban Fishery S

Jones Park Golf Course

to parks and recreation facilities – a higher level of service.

Tait Cummins
Sports Complex Old River Rd.

Cedar R
Beverly Prairie Creek

iver Trail
Navajo

Beverly Gardens
£
¤
30

Lincolnway

4. A target was established of having one park (with four Kirkwood Community College

components) and one multi-use trail within walking Eastern Iowa Airport

0 1
¶ 2 3

distance of home. §
¦
¨
380
Map Scale In Miles - Primary Frame
Map Produced For The City Of Cedar Rapids, Iowa - By The GRASP® Team
This Map Is Intended For Planning & Discussion Purposes Only - Please Refer To The Project Document For Map Details
Legend Elements May Vary In Size, Color And Transparency From Those Shown On Map
GIS Data Sources May Include: The City Of Cedar Rapids, US Census, ESRI, GRASP® Team - January 2008
Copyright© 2008 The City Of Cedar Rapids - Map Revised – December 2008

CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS - IOWA

PARKS MASTER PLAN
 What were the results of the
Level of Service Analysis?
The level of service was analyzed in two ways: how well
neighborhoods are served in general and how walkable the park and
recreation system is. The results showed:
General Access*
• 85 percent of Cedar Rapids has neighborhood access to parks;
of that, 62 percent has service that meets or exceeds the target.
• The airport and agricultural lands comprise much of the areas
that do not have service.
Walkable Access**
• 57 percent of Cedar Rapids has walkable access to parks; of that,
23 percent is meeting targets.
• Overall 34 percent of Cedar Rapids has walkable access to
service that is meeting target levels.
• There are significant areas that do not have access to parks and
recreation within walking distance from home.
• Walkable level of service is higher for areas near trails.
• There is a lower level of service in growing areas of Cedar Rapids.
• Much of the service available to lower density residential areas is
being provided by schools.
• Some service in the older and denser residential areas is being
provided by very small streetscape parks.
*10-minute bike ride **10-minute walk
What are residents’ priorities for Parks (in flood-affected areas)?
The four-month Neighborhood Planning Process, from January to May
of 2009, worked with citizens to develop Area Plans and to begin Action
Plans for flood-affected neighborhoods. The information from the Parks Manhattan
Robbins
Lake Park

and Recreation Master Plan will be incorporated into the Action Plans Ellis
Harbor
Shaver
Park

Edgewood Rd
being carried out in the future.

I-380
Ellis Park Daniels
Golf Course Park

Ellis
Park

Feedback regarding Park priorities from the Neighborhood

Cedar
Planning Process included: Lake

O Ave

• A range of new open spaces, including mini-parks, neighborhood 1

ST Av
e
Time e
parks and community parks Check Time
Check Park RD
3
Av

Ellis Blvd
Shawnee
Park

10
TH
St
8
• More sports fields close to downtown F Ave

TH
St
Greene
E Ave Square
Park Oak Hill

5
TH
Jackson Oak Hill

St
3
Cemetery

RD
Apache

St
Park
• Outdoor Event Spaces ST Ave TH Av
e New St. John’s
1 8 Bohemia Cemetery
5TH Ave Van
Vechten
Taylor Park

e
Av
• Pet-friendly areas Area

12 TH
Cleveland
Park

e
Av
16 TH
Veteran’s
Memorial Riverside
Park Park

6 St
TH
Czech
16TH Ave Village
Feedback on interests for Specific Parks: Iroquois
Park

Hayes
Park C
Murdoch
St
Cedar Valley

• An expanded Greene Square Park Wilson Ave SW

Linwood
Cemetery
Czech
Park

Bowling St SW
National
Cemetery
Cedar Valley
(Rompot)

• A new park on the West side of the Cedar River

0 2,500 ft
2,50 Urban
Fishery

• A revitalized Time Check Park connected to the Greenway N

Parks and Open Space System -
Challenges
• Land within dense urban residential
developments may be hard to acquire, if
necessary for expanding parkland to meet
minimum goals.
• Some park components, such as destination
playgrounds and outdoor pools cannot be
offered within each developed park due to
cost of construction and operations.
• Parkland located within the floodplain may
have restricted uses, excluding fencing and
structures.
• Balancing the needs for neighborhood parks
and development of the Greenway.
• Supporting operations to maintain 220
additional acres of green space along the
river.
Parks and Open Space System - Questions
• Which types of parks are most important to you? Smaller
neighborhood parks (Kenwood, Apache, Shawnee)?
Larger community parks (Jones, Ellis, Bever)? A balanced
mix of the two?
• What types of activities are most important to you as
a park user? Sports Fields? Multi-use lawn areas? Picnic
areas? Walking trails? Something else?
• Do you prefer to use park spaces that are developed and
mowed or natural and undeveloped?
• Which parks do you currently use?
What is the Cedar Rapids Riverfront and why is it important?
The Cedar Rapids Riverfront extends from Seminole Valley – Usher's Ferry to
the north, through the City of Cedar Rapids, to Cheyenne Park to the south.
Prior to the Flood, the Downtown Vision 2007 for Cedar Rapids recognized
the revitalization of the Riverfront as a top priority:
• to create a centralized destination for Greater Cedar Rapids
• to provide civic places and spaces for gathering on the river; and,
• to create continuous public access via trails and connected park spaces.

N 1 inch = 2,000 ft

0 10,000 ft
The Flood Management System - The Greenway

Following the 2008 Flood, the City and its citizens mobilized to
create a plan for reinvestment and recovery. During the first
phase of planning, the River Corridor Redevelopment Process, a Edgewood
Ellis
Harbor

flood management strategy was identified to provide greater flood

Edgewood Rd
protection for the community.

I-380
Cedar Rapids’ new flood management system will include riverwalls,
Cedar
levees and a 220-acre open space between the levees and floodwalls Lake

and the river. This new space, called "The Greenway, " will help to O Ave

absorb flood waters and will become a community recreational area. ST Av

e
Time 1
e
Check RD Av
3

Ellis Blvd

10
TH
St
8
F Ave

TH
St
E Ave
Oak Hill

5
TH
Jackson

St
3
RD
St
e New
ST Ave TH Av
Bohemia
1 8
5TH Ave
Taylor

e
Av
Area

12 TH

e
Av
16 TH
6 St
TH
Czech
16TH Ave Village

C
St

Wilson Ave SW

Bowling St SW
Cedar Valley
(Rompot)

0 2,500 ft
2,50
N

Greenway Floodwall Bridge Improvement

Levee Gate or Levee opening Area of non-structural
Existing Parks Important Cross-River connection flood control
Restrictions on the Greenway’s Use
Within this 220-acre Greenway, 192 properties were deemed eligible
for acquisition through the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
Properties acquired through this program carry permanent restrictions
on what can be developed. These restrictions are: Ellis
Harbor

Edgewood Rd
Allowable Uses:

I-380
• Open Air Structures
• Public Restrooms Cedar
Lake

• Camping O Ave

• Agriculture Time 1
ST Av
e

e
Check RD Av
3

Ellis Blvd
• Unpaved roads, trails

10
TH
St
8
F Ave

TH
St
• Boat ramps, docks, piers for public recreation E Ave
Oak Hill

5
TH
Jackson

St
3
RD
• Multi-purpose fields

St
e New
ST Ave TH Av
Bohemia
1 8
5TH Ave
Taylor

e
Av
Area

12 TH
Uses Not Allowed:

e
Av
16 TH
6 St
• Enclosed Structures

TH
Czech
16TH Ave Village

• Indoor Performance Venue C

St

• Indoor Pavilion Wilson Ave SW

Bowling St SW
Cedar Valley
(Rompot)

• Impermeable Surfaces
0 2,500 ft
2,50
• Paved Sports Courts N

• Swimming Pools
Flood-affected Greenway Construction Area Neighborhood Revitalization
• Paved Streets Parcels Buyout Parcels Buyout Parcels Parcels
What are residents' priorities for the Riverfront?
Feedback specific to the Riverfront from the River Corridor
Redevelopment Planning Process (Phase 1) and the Neighborhood
Planning Process (Phase 2) included:
Ellis
Harbor
• Provide activities for a range of age groups and activity levels

Edgewood Rd
• Promote multi-seasonal uses

I-380
• Maintain views of the river from the city whenever possible; and,
Wetland/ Cedar
• Incorporate sustainable infrastructure, green building and solar/ Restored River

Prairie
Edge
Lake

wind power. O Ave

Landscape

Great Lawn/ e
Sport Recreation ST Av
Time 1
e
Activities Check Plaza RD
3
Av

Ellis Blvd

River
Sports Fields/

10
Recreation

Walk

TH
• Active recreation areas

St
Prairie

8
F Ave

TH
Landscape

St
y's
E Ave Ma nd
Isla Oak Hill

5
• River walk

TH
an
Urb rk
Jackson

St
Cit

3
RD
Pa

yT

St
er
Riverfront

ra
ce
Amphitheater e New
Ave Av
• Outdoor event space(s) 1
ST

TH
5 Ave
TH
8 Bohemia

Taylor

e
Av
Area

12 TH
• Spaces for Public Art and Interactive Sculpture

e
Sport

Av
16 TH
Recreation

6 St
• Shops, restaurants, and pavilions along the new Greenway River Walk

TH
Czech
16TH Ave Village

• Taking advantage of the landfill for views, sledding, skiing, water park C
St

Wilson Ave SW

Bowling St SW
Cedar Valley
Landscape Types (Rompot)

• Public gardens 0 2,500 ft

2,50
Urban
Fishery

N
• Prairie plantings
• Wetland areas
Usher's Ferry Historic Village
Overview
Usher's Ferry Historic Village is an open living history facility featuring
exhibit buildings located on ten acres adjacent to Seminole Valley Park.
The Village produces a wide variety of workshops, programs and special
events that fulfill the mission of interpreting small town Iowa life one
hundred years ago. Programming includes tours, a Parlour Theater, school
programs, a Folk Festival, a Fairy Tale Festival, a Wild West Weekend and
Safe Halloween for Kids.

Chronology
• 1966 – Following the 1962 flood, the City of Cedar Rapids acquires the Flooding Impact at Usher's Ferry
Seminole Valley area for flood control and expansion of the City’s well
system. • 34 of 36 historic homes and businesses flooded.

• 1975- 2000 – Many historic homes and businesses are relocated to
Pioneer Village. With the arrival of the 1855 Henry Usher home in 1984,
the Village is renamed Usher's Ferry.
• 2008 – The June 2008 flood inundates Usher's Ferry with 34 of its
36 buildings taking on anywhere from 1 foot to 15 feet of water. Six
structures are destroyed and 2,000 of 7,000 objects in the collection are
lost or destroyed.
• October 2008- May 2009 – More than 10,000 hours of volunteer
labor assist in recovery efforts. Over $40,000 in grants and donations are
received. Friends of Usher's Ferry receives 501C3 non-profit status in May
2009 to assist in fund raising and development.
• Six structures destroyed: Log House, Tinker Shop, Livery Stable,
Blacksmiths Shed, Scale Shed, Section Hand Shed.
• Approximately 2,000 of 7,000 objects in the collection lost or
destroyed.
• More than 10,000 hours of volunteer labor for flood recovery since
October 2008.
• Over $40,000 in grants and donations received to assist with recovery.
• Volunteers have come from Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Dakota,
Missouri, and many other states to help with recovery.
Usher's Ferry Historic Village Museum Assessment
In July of 2008, Usher's Ferry Historic Village was informed of approval for its participation
in the Museum Assessment program through a grant. This is a partnership program of the
American Association of Museums and the Institute for Museum and Library Services.

A committee of Usher's Ferry staff, volunteers and visitors has been meeting monthly for
the last year to complete the self-study portion of the assessment. The committee has
examined every aspect of the site’s operation including its mission statement, governance,
finances, interpretation theory and visitor experience.

Challenges:
• Indoor programming space needed
The village needs indoor space for special events, programs and revenue-generating
rentals. Items discussed to date include:
• Protection from future flooding • Indoor Space – A need for increased indoor space for special events,
Increased flood protection including the possibility of raising or moving buildings is programs and revenue generating rentals.
needed.
• Flood Protection – A need for increased flood protection for the Village,
• Sustainability including the possibility of raising or moving some Village buildings as a
Alternative funding sources must be explored to increase revenue and decrease flood protection measure.
subsidy levels for future sustainability of the Village.
• Building Removal – The need for the removal of several Village buildings
that cannot reasonably be restored or protected from future flooding.
Questions:
• Decrease Taxpayer Funding – The need to continue to decrease
• Had you visited Usher's Ferry prior to the flood? Had you taken out of town guests
taxpayer funding by increasing revenue generation, visitation, grant funding,
to visit Usher's Ferry?
and corporate and individual contributions.
• How would you rate the value of the museum to the community? • Partnerships – The opportunity to create and grow partnerships with
• What options would you like to see studied for Usher's Ferry? (eg. move or raise area museums, businesses, and schools for events, funding, and educational
buildings for flood protection; private partnerships to decrease taxpayer funding; programming.
more indoor building space?)
What are some potential ways of programming and recreating on the River?
Community feedback during previous planning efforts has consistently
indicated a desire for more active use of the Cedar River. Focus for
the future could include expansion, improvement or development of
opportunities such as:

Boating
Boating within Cedar Rapids is limited to the pool upstream of the 5-in-1
Dam, with access only possible at Ellis Harbor and at Mohawk Park.

A 2008 Survey of Ellis Harbor stakeholders found support for attracting

a wider public to the riverfront.

Fishing
Dedicated fishing sites on the river are generally limited to upstream of
the Dam and Cedar Lake.

The Urban Fisheries project to the south is underway and will provide
further opportunities.

River Access
Most of the walkways are significantly higher than the normal river
elevation, allowing few opportunities for physical access to the river.

Water Events
Water-based events and spectacles are currently limited. These include
water skiing shows and occasional boating events during larger City
events like the Freedom festival.
Riverfront Questions
• What waterfront uses would you like to see in the
Greenway? What's missing from activities listed on the
previous boards?
• What kinds of landscapes do you want to see on the
riverfront? Open lawn? Sports fields? Natural areas?
Riverwalks? Event spaces?