Camanche, Iowa | Camanche city facebook https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=309071561250476&set=a.224142199743413&__tn__=%2CO*F
Camanche, Iowa | Camanche city facebook https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=309071561250476&set=a.224142199743413&__tn__=%2CO*F
The city of Camanche has decided to switch up the town’s recreation facilities, putting a splash pad into Platt Park as one part of a renovation plan for the entire park.
City officials have been discussing the project with residents and developers Shive Hattery, from Bettendorf, for some time and council approved a couple of suggestions so plans can move forward.
“I hope the public is now seeing the fruits of that labor and understand that it's not just as simple as let's throw a splash pad in,” City Administrator Andrew Kida said at the March 21 meeting. “If we're going to do it, we're going to do it right. We're going to do it well. And it's going to be able to serve this community for quite some time.”
The goal is to have the splash pad in place by 2024 and also to do some of the park renovations. Platt Park is the biggest park in the area, and adding in a splash pad would be huge for residents on hot days and those with young kids.
The project has to get a design set, then be approved by the council, a budget set with the developers, and then they can begin construction.
City officials have been talking with residents on what they want to see from the proposed splash pad, and how they want it to be designed and incorporated into the community. The overwhelming majority of residents want to see a Native American themed splash pad. The proposed design that came out of that featured some totem poles, which is only a cultural part of Native American culture in Alaska and other, more northern areas. So, the commission is in favor of the overall theme, but will go back to pick more specific items and details to better represent the people of the Iowa area.
Another recommendation is to have some historical and informational plaques. These would help inform residents and visitors of the history of Camanche and the community, and the stories of the tribes from this area, what the symbols represent to them and their history.
The council was in favor of this decision and approved the Native American theme.
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