Iowa City Today

The Iowa City government is on the receiving end of community pushbacks for efforts to turn a neighborhood park into a site for prairie restoration. 

The city council has received 10 emails from residents seeking a reversal on its decision prior to a meeting. This is not the first time the city has made changes to Benton Hill Park that were not popular. The latest development came without Miller Orchard resident participation which has several people upset with the process.

“In the past, the (Parks and Recreation department) has made decisions regarding our park without talking to anyone,” Mary Knudson told The Daily Iowan. “I am frankly stunned that we were not contacted until the day before this. This neighborhood worked for decades to acquire this park.”

An Iowa City councilwoman, Susan Mims, said there needed to be more communication with the public to get feedback that would prove beneficial in helping guide city decisions. 

“I think a big part of this (pushback) are the big changes that have occurred to that park over the years,” she said according to The Daily Iowan. “A lot of trees (have been removed) and the retaining wall (was added). If you drive by that park, it look so different than it used to.”

While the thought of a prairie restoration at the site of the park does not necessarily thrill residents, they do side with the council’s vision for environmental protection. During a meeting earlier in April, public opinion played a role in the council’s decision to preserve praise land rather than allow a solar plant company at Waterworks Park, The Daily Iowan reported. 

City councilman John Thomas suggested fine-tuning for the plan and suggested the parks and recreation department meet with Miller Orchard residents based on their response. Residents agree a community discussion should take place before any changes to the park.

“We will have people and families here,” Knudson said to The Daily Iowan. “We have always felt overlooked here, and again we see evidence why we feel that way.”