North Liberty names newest park

Last night, the North Liberty City Council selected a name for the city’s newest, largest community park, located at 1565 St. Andrews Drive, west of Jones Boulevard. The council chose, on a unanimous vote, to name the area “Centennial Park” in honor of this year’s hundredth anniversary of the city’s incorporation.

The council’s selection was culmination of process that began in early May, when the City of North Liberty began soliciting suggestions from the public. By June 15, when submissions went to a staff committee to whittle down, residents had suggested more than 330 names.

The staff committee selected nine names — Bluestem Prairie, Centennial Harvest, The Commons, Goldfinch Landing, Green Meadows Park, Pioneer Harvest, Prairie Winds, Rock-A-Way, and Woodland — for the Parks and Recreation Commission to consider. Commissioners recommended the City Council select a variation on either Centennial or Woodland.

After discussion, city councilors agreed on Centennial Park, of which the public had suggested some three dozen variations.

The first phase of the 40-acre Centennial Park’s development, including the beginning of the park’s drive and a fish-stocked pond , was completed this spring. The next phases are in the planning stages, but are expected to include picnic shelters, an enclosed pavilion, a band shell, play features and a splash pad.

This year, Tree Forever, Alliant Energy and Heartland Express helped bring 100 new trees to the park as part of the City of North Liberty’s yearlong centennial celebration. Centennial Park will be used for community events such as North Liberty Blues & BBQ starting in 2014.