CEDAR RAPIDS — A paw-sitive development is underway for furry residents living in the heart of Cedar Rapids.
In the coming months, the city of Cedar Rapids will unleash its first neighborhood dog park in the Oak Hill Jackson neighborhood near the New Bohemia District.
Located at Fourth Street and 16th Avenue SE, the approximately half-acre park will add an amenity for residents in the growing area that has seen more than 100 new residential units in recent years, with more on the way.
“It’s a good location for that side of town,” Parks and Recreation Director Hashim Taylor said. “We’ve heard several times that we need a space for dogs in the downtown core area. With the new development down there and individuals who have dogs, that’ll be an ideal location.”
It will be the city’s third dog park in addition to:
This is a collaborative project between the city Parks and Recreation, Community Development and Public Works departments and Coralville-based developer The Watts Group.
Taylor said this small-scale park will benefit individuals in that area with apartments to have a space for their dogs to go and play.
Watts Group’s NewBo Lofts apartments — adding 111 units across two buildings on 16th Avenue SE — are leasing now. LTRI LLC, the development team led by Chad Pelley, broke ground last year on a mixed-use project from 1218 to 1310 Third St. SE that will add 34 market-rate rental units. And local developer Darryl High is looking to build more than 80 units across two buildings on city-owned property at 116 16th Ave. SE.
The park, budgeted to cost $225,000, will offer a grassy area surrounded by a six-foot fence, a concrete patio at the entrance with an awning, benches, and an ADA-accessible drinking foundation with a jug filler.
Taylor said it’s slated to open in the late spring or summer.
Name ideas
The city asked for suggestions on social media and by email on the park’s name and received more than 150 suggestions.
Citizens have responded with several options that play on the nearby NewBo District name with suggestions such as NewBone Bark Park or New Bonehemian Park.
Ultimately, Taylor as parks director has final discretion over the park’s name under the city’s park naming policy, but he will consult the City Council and the city’s executive team to make a selection.
Jones dog park progress
City officials also are planning for a dog park at Jones Park as they revamp the now-closed municipal golf course there with new amenities.
Taylor said the estimated $1.25 million Jones dog park will go out for bid soon, with an anticipated start of late summer or early fall. It’s expected to open in late spring or summer 2025.
The majority of the cost is to create a new access road to the park and construct the parking lot. The park will fill approximately 10 acres along the eastern edge of the former course with access from C Street SW, north of Tait Cummins Sports Complex.
Amenities for this park will be phased, with the first phase including a new entry road and parking area, as well as lighting there. The main park area will feature a walking trail, shade structures and tables. A training area with two training yards will offer space for dogs that need additional training to acclimate them to other dogs.
There will be a small dog yard with a walking trail and a small rentable yard that can be sectioned off for reserved parties, with tables, a shade structure and walking path. Each section will be double gated and have benches.
The park will receive additional trees and screening along the north property line. Like the Oak Hill Jackson park, it also will have a drinking fountain and jug filler. The second phase will include fencing in the lower pond area and installation of additional trail and a dock.
Dog tags
Cedar Rapids dog park users now have to register for dog tags through the city to use the municipal facilities. The registration link is available on the “Off-Leash Dog Parks” tab on the Parks and Recreation page on the city’s website, cedar-rapids.org.
So far, Taylor said the city has issued 387 tags, but previously had no way to track dog park usage. Use of all four dog parks will require a pass.
Tag colors will change every year and be issued with each new calendar year. The new system allows staff to ensure dogs using the parks meet certain standards such as vaccination requirements, making it safer for all to use.
Dog park permits are $38 each year, with an additional $2 charge for those who want it mailed. There is a $5 replacement fee for lost tags.
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