The Reimagine Walker Johnston Park! master planning process has moved into the next phase of work! Local Confluence staff, alongside staff from all nine of Confluence’s offices participated in lunch-hour design experience – known in the profession as a charette – where each office developed one or two ideas for the park based on design parameters developed from the various public and stakeholder engagement sessions completed prior. In total, sixteen unique concepts were prepared and presented to Urbandale Parks & Recreation staff for consideration and comment. Of the sixteen, four were selected for further development.

The four concepts were displayed at the Party in the Park event at Walker Johnston Park on Friday, August 15^th. Confluence staff invited attendees to view and consider all four concepts and cast their vote for one big idea. And now it is your turn!

Each of the four concepts below illustrates one “Big Move” and supports it with a variety of different amenities while at the same time preserving several of the existing features in the park. The highlights of each concept are identified in the companion list.

The following amenities remain in all concepts: the Giovannetti Community Shelter, pickleball courts, tennis courts, the Tower and Treehouse structures, and the pond and fishing pier.

Please take a few moments to review each of the four concepts and then cast your vote for a favorite! The planning team will use this information to identify a preferred plan concept from which our final recommendations to the City will emerge. Thank you for your participation in this process!

Big Moves:

• Central access drive to an expanded parking area north of the tennis courts
• Soccer field and one ball diamond switch places – larger fields for both!

Supporting Ideas:

• Renovate three remaining ball diamonds
• Relocate and expand east side playgrounds
• Introduces splashpad
• Introduces sand volleyball
• Introduces new restrooms, concessions, and large shelter
• Introduces a bandshell/stage at relocated soccer field and open space
• Introduces a second footbridge over North Walnut Creek
• Preserves the existing westside playground

Big Moves:

• Replaces ball diamonds & soccer with one large, synthetic turf, multi-sport field

Supporting Ideas:

• Preserve existing skate park and eastside play areas
• Expands existing eastside parking north of Giovannetti Community Shelter
• Expands Kid Zone play area near pond
• Introduces sand volleyball and futsal courts
• Introduces new restrooms, concessions, and large shelter
• Introduces a bandshell/stage in place of existing soccer field
• Introduces a second footbridge over North Walnut Creek

PLEASE NOTE: the Destination Playground area identified in this concept would most likely include a splashpad and water play area, though not labeled.

Big Moves:

• Central access drive to an expanded parking area north of the tennis courts
• Replaces soccer field with a community amphitheater

Supporting Ideas:

• Expands playground areas north of the Giovannetti Community Shelter
• Expands Kid Zone play area near pond
• Introduces a plaza and promenade connecting the ball diamonds, amphitheater, and the Giovannetti Community Shelter
• Introduces a splashpad
• Introduces sand volleyball and futsal courts
• Introduces new restrooms, concessions, and large shelter
• Introduces skate dots along the creekside trail north of the community shelter
• Introduces a second footbridge over North Walnut Creek
• Preserves the existing westside playground

Big Moves:

• Central access drive to a parking loop with central splashpad
• Replaces ball diamonds with three full-size soccer fields

Supporting Ideas:

• Introduces an amphitheater with bandshell in place of the existing skatepark
• Introduces a large destination playground between the amphitheater and the central access drive
• Introduces a splashpad
• Introduces sand volleyball and two futsal courts
• Introduces new restrooms, concessions, and large shelter
• Introduces a second pond between the existing and North Walnut Creek
• Introduces a second footbridge over North Walnut Creek
• Introduces a pump track and bike skills area on the east side of North Walnut Creek