The City of Council Bluffs and Mayor Matt Walsh recently announced a major project, thanks in part to a $100,000 lead donation by the Rotary Club of Council Bluffs: Return to Fairmount Park. Over the next year, the City will be initiating the nearly one million-dollar project. The woodlands of Fairmount Park will be restored and new trails will be established leading to improved pedestrian access to the neighborhoods. The highlight of the project will be a plaza with a new water playground, the first of its kind in Council Bluffs.
In addition to the $100,000 provided by the Rotary Club of Council Bluffs, funding for this project was also made possible by the City of Council Bluffs, Iowa West Foundation and State of Iowa REAP (Resource Enhancement and Protection) Grant funding. The Council Bluffs Parks, Recreation & Public Property is pursuing additional funding to fully complete the project.
The woodlands restoration is currently underway, and construction on the water playground will begin early next spring. The grand opening is expected to take place in the fall of 2015. Visit the Council Bluffs Parks and Recreation website at www.councilbluffs-ia.gov and click on Fairmount Park link for pictures, renderings of the projects, updates and more information.