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 an event center and amphitheatre; premier splash pad; expanded and accessible play structures for kids of all ages and abilities; 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.

Construction of Phase 1 began in July 2024.

Phase 1: The event center and amphitheatre, exterior restrooms, expanded plaza space and necessary utilities to support all phases is under construction with an expected completion in fall 2025.
Phase 2: A 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.
Phase 3: A year-round pavilion and an expansive plaza space.
Phase 4: An honor garden and additional parking.

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.

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