(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic’s Parks Advisory Commission held its first meeting this (Wednesday) afternoon, in the City Council’s Chambers at City Hall. The Commission was established by the Atlantic City Council, in October, 2023. It replaces the former Parks and Recreation Board, and consists of three people living within Atlantic City limits, two Cass County residents, and one non-voting high school student. Those appointed include Kevin Ferguson (2-year term), Dolly Bergmann (2-year term), Shirley Jensen (1-year term), Ali Pieken (1-year term), and Mary Strong (1-year term). A youth representative has not yet been chosen.

Parks & Rec Advisory Commission (1-24-2024)

During the Commission’s meeting, they introduced themselves and discussed the “Purpose of a Park Advisory Commission,” which the City Council has stated is “to ensure that a formal public feedback and input system was in place regarding the operations and capital planning for the city’s park and recreation system.”

The members present decided their next meeting, during which they will elect officers and hold related parks business, is the fourth Wednesday of each month at 3:30-p.m. Therefore the next meeting is on Feb. 28th. The Commission heard an update on efforts to bring a Splashpad to Atlantic.

Ali Pieken

Splashpad Committee spokesperson Ali Pieken said “To date, we’ve raised $415,000 for it, which is super exciting. We are in the process of starting the public bid preparation, with Snyder and Associates.” Pieken and another Committee member sat down with Snyder’s Mike Jorgensen  a few weeks ago to start the process of getting him all the information he needs to prepare the bid packet. She said “It’s very lengthy.” Jorgensen gave group a tentative timeline for the project, which includes hopes for the Splashpad to be open “At least a few days in August,” 2024.

The project was estimated to cost between $600,000 and $650,000, but the costs of materials and other factors are likely to push the price-tag higher. Pieken said “We hope to stay around that, but obviously [with] inflation and….that was last fall, so….”  The City of Atlantic has chipped-in a total of $95,000 towards the project. The engineering fee of $4,000 was deducted from the Splashpark fund by the City, leaving $91,000 still in the pot for the fund.

SWIPCO is working to acquire grants to get the project fund closer to the original goal.