This page is dedicated to all good things North Liberty. Check back often, as there are so many wonderful things about our town, that we will have more stories and more updates!
March 29, 2012 — Starting Monday, April 2, the public bus route will offer additional stops throughout North Liberty. The city’s transit task force met a number of times last year to examine current transit service and determine ways to enhance the public transportation program. New stops include several west of Highway 965, such as Fairview Lane and Sugar Creek Lane. Previously, the bus route only included North Liberty stops along Front Street and the Community Center.
Transit task force staff liaison and North Liberty City Planner Dean Wheatley says, “The new stops bring convenience to the public transportation system. Having an alternative to private automobiles is very nice during this time of escalating gas prices. We are able to offer a green, affordable solution for commuters.”
posted February 28 2012 by City of North Liberty staff in I♥NLLeave a Comment
Watching a North Liberty sunrise
You ask me Why I Love North Liberty? Well, give me time and I’ll explain.
Have you seen an evening sunset or a morning rain?
Have you drifted through the city past our old Penn Way?
Have you watched a cold fog drifting over the highway?
Have you heard Strike one,two three? Among the Penn Meadow Pines
Or heard the bellow of a diesel along the Heartland Lines?
Does the call of Bobbers thrill you when you hear her waters roar?
Do you look with awe and wonder at her constant rising stores,
Where men who braved a hard new world first stepped on the reservoirs rock?
And do you think of them when you stroll along the Marina’s Dock?
Have you seen a snowflake drifting towards the earth from a winter night’s sky?
Have you seen the sun come blazing down during a Fun Day’s high?
Do you hail from here in Iowa or from somewhere near the sea,
Or bow your head in silence for the honor to be free?
Have you seen the mighty Colony’s? Have you watched an eagle soar?
Have you seen the strip malls line Liberty Centers Shore?
Have you felt a chill at Cooley’s when on a winter’s day
Or dove head first in the pool on the last weekend in May?
Do the words Blues and BBQ make you warm? Do you stare in disbelief
When you see the geese come roaring in at the sign of Spring?
From DQ’s cold to the Muddy Creek, down 965 to Forevergreen,
My heart cries out, my pulse runs fast at the might of her domain.
You ask me Why I Love Her? I’ve a million reasons why.
posted January 30 2012 by City of North Liberty staff in I♥NLLeave a Comment
Words from Library Director Dee Crowner
The North Liberty Community Library always has something NEW going on. We have new books, DVDs, magazines, databases, audiobooks, programs for all ages and we are always looking for new patrons.
The most exciting new thing is our expansion/renovation set to begin this spring and be completed by the summer of 2013. We are adding 11,500 square feet of NEW space. The NEW space will include an Adult Services area, staff work space and best of all meeting and study rooms. We only have one meeting room right now and use the Rec. Center’s rooms so it will be great to have room of our own to spread out. The renovation will mean a ‘new” area for teens and children as well as a story time room. Let the good times roll.
The beauty of an expanding library
Stop by the library to become a NEW patron and see the plans for the expansion/renovation.
We are always interested in getting NEW volunteers. There is an application form and the policy at our website (northlibertylibrary.org). People from 5th grade through adults can volunteer here. There is always something to do. Give us a call at 626-5701 to find out more about volunteering.
Because of all the construction going on this year it only seems natural that our Summer Reading Program theme for pre-school, grade school, teens and adults be centered around construction. The SRP runs for six weeks in June and July. This year we are doing something new in conjunction with the SRP. We are doing a Saturday Story Time with the SRP. If this is successful we will continue this year round.
Flat Stanley isn’t new but he does like to see new faces. Flat Stanley is our resident guinea pig and he really isn’t very flat!! His cage is at the end of circulation desk and it even has a mail box just in case you would like to write him a letter. He is always happy to have people stop by and visit with him.
Be sure and check the library’s website (northlibertylibrary.org) to see what new programs and events we have coming up.
In the summer of 2011, the City of North Liberty discarded paper agenda packets for council and commissions in exchange for iPads. Staff estimates the savings in time, ink, paper and other resources to be over $10,000 per year. Plus, North Liberty is one of the first municipalities in Iowa to make such a transition.
Cheryle Caplinger, Director of Telecommunications, says, “When we decided to distribute the information digitally, we contacted many Iowa governments for guidance. Some noted they were investigating similar technology, but none had taken the plunge. So, it looks like we are the groundbreakers.” Caplinger continues, “We considered laptops, e-readers and iPads, while also taking into account usability, flexibility, mobility and, of course, cost. We knew the chosen system would not be used for archiving, but we required write-on capability. We also wanted to sync them with ease, keep software expenses low and access Internet, email and other applications without difficulty. iPads became the obvious choice.”
With the relocation of North Liberty Council Chambers, councilors were issued iPads to use before, during and after meetings, while commissioners only use them when they are in session. Paper is limited to agendas, scratch paper and an occasional easel presentation. City Administrator, Ryan Heiar says, “We are helping the community by saving natural resources. Plus, we are on the forefront of using an ever-popular technology. We are proud to be one of the first and we would gladly share our ideas with interested cities.”
Mayor Tom Salm adds, “The training was easy and, let me tell you, these things are slick. The innovation is fantastic and we are going greener all the time.”
For more information and feature articles on North Liberty’s iPads, check out American City and County and The League of Iowa Cities publication CityScape.
posted September 15 2011 by City of North Liberty staff in I♥NLLeave a Comment
The North Liberty Parks Department installed a three story playground structure in Penn Meadows park in August 2011. Being the only of its kind in Iowa, the playground features multiple slides, a bridge, hide aways, interior seating and more. Parks Director Guy Goldsmith says, “Even during construction, everyone seemed very excited for the playground. We had orange fencing up to keep the area enclosed. As soon as we rolled up part of the fence, vans pulled into the parking lot. Parents and kids came out of the woodwork within minutes.”
Parents enjoy sitting in the shade of a nearby tree while kids bounce, jump, slide and spin. A picnic table was put under the tree to provide seating, too. North Liberty resident Rob Von Harz says it’s one of the reasons to love North Liberty, “I have three kids. They are three, seven and nine. This piece is great for all of them – they can all play on it!” Von Harz’s daughter Madilyn said, “It’s really cool. I like the trick seats the most. You lean back and it feels like your going to fall out, but it’s just the way the glass is.”
The installation of the structure is part of the Parks Plan. More improvements and additions at various parks are slated in the coming years. Guy Goldsmith says, “We are limited to budgets and staff time. This new playground is a glowing spot for our community within those means. We are cognizant of the needs of the parks and we are doing everything we can to continue growth, maintenance and improvements. We hope everyone enjoys being at the parks and being a part of North Liberty.”
posted July 30 2011 by City of North Liberty staff in I♥NL1 Comment
On Thursday, July 12, McDonald’s broke ground a new restaurant near the corner of Highway 965 and Penn Street. There were several dozen guests; attendees at the event included franchise owner Kevin O’Brien; Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce President Nancy Quellhorst; City of North Liberty officials Mayor Tom Salm, Councilor Terry Donahue, Council Chris Hoffman and City Administrator Ryan Heiar; business owners Dennis Tallman, Larry Pacha and Karen Fesler; as well as the ever-popular Ronald McDonald.
O’Brien noted that building a McDonald’s in a community helps promote growth – other restaurants and businesses see an area as a growing market. He emphasized the partnership between organizations, too, “Some people will go to Capanna, then they will come to McDonald’s and vice versa. People will get coffee from one place then stop in at another place then go to another place. It’s good for development.”
Nick Tallman of Alphagraphics agrees, “It’s wonderful for development in Penn Landing. It makes this area attractive. Plus, it has brand recognition. I think it’s long awaited and any growth that will enhance this community is nice. On the other hand, it may not be the best place for my kids to eat everyday.”
Lori Lindner of the North Liberty Leader says, “I think McDonald’s has done a good job creating viable options for healthy eating. When my family is on the run, it’s a great alternative.”
Contact North Liberty City Hall at 319-626-5700. City Hall is located at 3 Quail Creek Circle. This site is maintained by the City of North Liberty Telecommunications Department
