When it was named, Centennial Park was little more than a 40-acre grass lawn, an 83-stall parking strip and a vision for a vibrant community destination in the heart of Eastern Iowa.

A decade later, North Liberty is ready for its next stage, and it’s time to make the vision a reality.

Over the past decade, we’ve hosted Blues & BBQ, giant-kite festivals, circus acts and other performances and community events. That experience has laid the foundation for the final phase  — Centennial Park Next Stage — which will bring community amenities including a premier 5,000-square-foot splash pad; expanded and accessible play structures for kids of all ages and abilities; an indoor gathering and event space; an open-air pavilion; expansive plaza spaces and pathways to connect amenities and offer physical accessibility; an honor garden recognizing the service men and women from our community; and restrooms, shelters and additional parking.

The park will be completed in four phases.

Phase 1: The Centennial Center and stage, necessary utilities, exterior restrooms and expanded plaza space, is in design with an expected opening of summer 2025 at a cost of $8.8 million.
Phase 2: Splash pad and expanded playground with wheelchair-accessible playground units, plus a picnic shelter with additional restrooms, shade structures and expanded parking. The phase could be open by summer 2026, or earlier with additional financial support at a cost of $3.1 million.
Phase 3: An year-round pavilion and an expansive plaza space at a cost of $3.5 million.
Phase 4: An honor garden and additional parking at a cost of $950,000.

Building North Liberty’s Next Stage

Shared outdoor spaces are important to our community and our residents, serving as destinations for festivals and fun, critical connections and to improve the quality of life. For a decade, we’ve experimented, executed and refined attractive programs in North Liberty and in Centennial Park, turning that 40 acres of grass into an attraction for our the community and point of pride in the region. Now we bring that experience to bear on this opportunity: a showstopping gathering place in the heart of Eastern Iowa’s rapidly growing community.

When Next Stage is complete, Centennial Park will be perfect for RAGBRAI overnights, premier concerts, weddings and family reunions, business gatherings and focused conferences in the Centennial Center, outdoor movies on the great lawn and a farmers’ market and ice-skating rink under the pavilion. The completed infrastructure makes year-round programming possible, empowers more people to physically access the amenities and programs, and allows for expanded partnerships. Think Iowa City conservatively estimates this project will inject more than $11.5 million of economic activity into our community each year.

Support the Campaign

Give Now

Make a one-time or recurring gift, eligible for tax deduction, through the Community Foundation of Johnson County.

Give Now

Checks can be mailed, with “North Liberty Centennial Park: Next Stage Charitable Giving Fund” noted in the memo line, to: CFJC, 501 12th Ave, Ste 102, Coralville, IA 52241. In addition to gifts of cash, the Community Foundation of Johnson County can accept stocks, individual retirement accounts (IRA) or 401(k) plans, tangible personal property and other assets.