Parks and Recreation Master Plan

Grinnell's parks and recreation system is a cornerstone of the community, made up of 10 parks, 170+ acres of parks and open space, and over 50 recreation programs for youth, families, and adults throughout the year. From the bustling Grinnell Athletic and Recreation Center, which hosts 1,300 visitors monthly from October to April, to the Grinnell Aquatic Center's 28,000 summer visitors, our facilities bring people together to learn, play, and grow.

To ensure that the city's parks, facilities, and programs are valued both now and into the future, Grinnell is creating a Parks and Recreation Master Plan to set a clear vision for the future.

What is the Parks and Recreation Master Plan?

The Parks and Recreation Master Plan is a comprehensive, long-range strategy to help the city assess, improve, and strategically grow its recreational amenities and programs. Together with professional consultants the process will include the following steps:

• Listen: community input is the foundation of the plan.
• Inventory and assess: each park, program and policy will be evaluated and benchmarked against national standards and communities similar to Grinnell.
• Establish a vision: the community's input, combined with the information from the inventory and assessment, will help guide the vision for Grinnell's parks and programs.
• Provide a Roadmap: the plan will outline specific goals, priorities, policies, and potential funding sources for the years to come.

How to Get Involved

Help shape the future of Grinnell's parks and recreation system. Community input will help create a plan that reflects the needs and dreams of the entire community.

• Take the survey : residents are encouraged to share their feedback on what they love about Grinnell's parks and recreation programs, what can be improved, and what they would like to see in the future. The survey is available online through February 15, 2025: bit.ly/4fYknHH
• Interactive map : an interactive map of Grinnell's parks, trails and open spaces is available for residents to share comments and ideas for specific improvements in each park. The map will be open for public comment through February 15th, 2025: bit.ly/4je0gse
• Public meetings and events: the City of Grinnell and its consultant, RDG Planning & Design, will host public meetings and outreach events in the upcoming months. To stay updated on event dates, check back here, or sign up for Parks and Recreation news flashes.
  • Community Open House #1: review findings of the community survey, conditions assessment, and offer input on conceptual park plans.
    When: March 6, 2025
    Where: Drake Library Community Room
    Time: 4:30 to 6:00 pm
  • Community Open House #2: RDG will present revised park plans, strategies, and priorities.
    When: April 22, 2025
    Where: Drake Library Community Room
    Time: TBD

Steering Committee Members

Jordan Allsup, City of Grinnell Parks and Recreation Director
Rachel Arseneault, Ramsey Weeks Real Estate
Lauren Augustin, Grinnell Mutual
Barb Baker, Grinnell Mutual
Russ Behrens, City of Grinnell City Manager
Brian Conway, Grinnell-Newburg Community School District
Russ Crawford, Parks and Recreation Board
Julie Davis, City Council Member
Carl Eggermont, City of Grinnell Public Services Director
Tim Ellsworth, Imagine Grinnell
Shane Hart, Grinnell College Golf Course
Avery Lindley, Build a Better Grinnell
Anthony Nieuwsma, Grinnell Friends Church
Sarah Smith, Grinnell College
Kendra Vincent, Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce