The Chautauqua Park will be a first of its kind in the Ankeny park system. This 46-acre park will provide residents of both Prairie Trail and the greater community with a large park that supports multiple great lawns, a lake, trails, unique native and natural landscapes, a regional trailhead to the Central Iowa Trail system, a multi-generational playscape, and gardens for the display of natural grasses and flowers. This park design also re-configures the creek that currently flows through the park. Park restoration will include the development of a 3-5 acre lake that will provide both storm water management and urban fishery opportunities. A wetland will be reconstructed at the northwest corner of the property. Native / natural grasses and flowers will help organize the park and better integrate the park with the natural drainage patterns. This park will provide residents the opportunity to see a restored landscape work to create a cleaner environment.
Park Program
- Passive and Active Open Spaces – the Great Lawns
- Natural Landscapes
- Storm Water management
- Realign the creek
- Storm water detention
- Wetland mitigation bank
- Diverse trail system
- Regional trailhead
- Underpass at State Street
- Lighting
- Natural Gardens
- Integrated Art
- Multi-generational playscape
- Outdoor education opportunities
- Signage
One of the major design programs or considerations was establishing large open spaces for flexible use. Ankeny has a limited number of large flexible open spaces and Chautauqua park will provide several. Another major consideration for design was the required detention for storm water from the adjacent neighborhood. This 3 to 5 acre lake will be utilized as an urban fishery and support other wildlife habitats. Another major consideration was managing the site in a more sustainable way. This will require the restoration of native grasses, wetlands, and stream bed.
As illustrated in the graphics and pictures, establishing large flexible open spaces for a variety of uses is a primary design theme. As Ankeny continues to grow in population, the continued need to provide open space will increase.
Storm water detention is also a priority for development in Ankeny, based on the typical flat terrain. Chautauqua Park utilizes the need for detention in the formation of a small lake that will provide both active and passive uses on it. Mitigated and restored wetlands will add to the natural aesthetic, making this park unique. Utilizing best management practices as established in the Prairie Trail Stormwater Guidelines, Chautauqua Park will be an asset to the community and a pleasure for recreation.
Estimated construction costs range from $12 - $16 million depending on a number of factors. There is a substantial amount of site preparation that will need to be addressed prior to park development.
The State Street underpass will provide a safe and accessible path of travel for bicyclists and roller bladers as they travel through Prairie Trail. The underpass provides a safer path of travel for higher volumes and speeds when trying to cross State Street. The Garden Plaza provides a warm and attractive welcome to park and trail enthusiasts upon entering Chautauqua Park. The plaza could provide historical displays and interesting facts about the history of Ankeny, farming, the munitions factory, and many other areas of interest. The shelter adjacent to the Garden Plaza is proposed to be a shelter that provides a visual link from Chautauqua Park. This shelter will provide park users with a large flexible open air facility that can be utilized by large and small groups alike.
During the charrette process, the design team worked to coordinate the physical and visual ties from Chautauqua Park to Promenade Park. These facilities will serve as a point of entry to vehicular traffic heading north on SW State Street. For out-of-town visitors, the park’s architecture and landscape will serve as visual landmarks in both parks.
