COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (KMTV) — Manawa City Park celebrated the opening of its updated playground Monday. Council Bluffs is in the process of gradually upgrading playgrounds and other recreational areas.
- Manawa City Park features a scooter and bicycle track, a sensory garden and wheelchair accessible equipment.
- “There are a lot of children with special needs in this area and we wanted to be able to accommodate all of the children,” Martorello said.
- Vincent Martorello, director of the Parks and Recreation Department, says his department is listening to neighbors to find out what recreational activities would meet their needs.
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MISSION:
Council Bluffs just opened its upgraded playground at Manawa City Park. I’m your southwest Iowa reporter, Katrina Markel.
I spoke with the Director of Parks and Recreation, who told me this is all part of a multi-year process to modernize the city’s recreational spaces.
Sloane: “I like the slide.”
Five-year-old Sloane and her grandma explored the new playground, one of many parks in Council Bluffs that are new or being renovated.
Vincent Martorello, director of the Parks and Recreation Authority, says that in the six years he has been in office, he has worked with city leaders to gradually improve recreational areas.
“And we are also looking at our trail network,” said Martorello. “We have improved about eight kilometers of our trail network. In the next round of financing, we will try to close gaps.”
Martorello calls Manawa City’s newest playground an “enclave park.” Tucked away in what he believes is an underserved neighborhood, it includes accessible equipment, a sensory garden, and a track for bikes and scooters.
Kryten: “I only come here to scoot.”
Martorello was happy to see 11-year-old Kryten and eight-year-old Gus enjoying the internal bike and scooter path.
“I like playing catch with our scooters,” said Gus.
Some of the features emerged from conversations with neighbors about their needs.
“There are a lot of children with special needs in this area and we wanted to be able to accommodate all of the children,” Martorello said.
He says playground design has gone from an art to a science; they’re now designed to encourage the development of social and motor skills. And amenities for all ages, like pickleball courts and a trail system, promote the well-being of the entire community.
New projects in Prospect and Fairmont Parks are scheduled to begin this fall and be completed by next summer.
