Kalona summer update

By Ryan Schlabaugh, City Administrator

I’d like to share some of the exciting updates and ongoing projects that are being undertaken in the Kalona community this summer.

Southtown Recreational Area

Under construction is an exciting new addition to our Kalona parks system. The Southtown Recreational Area will include new amenities to our community in the fall of this year on what will be 119+ acres of publicly accessible recreational land. The trailhead area where the phase I construction is being done currently has a physical address of 102 Vista Drive.

• Dog Park: A 2+ acre dog park that has space for both small and large dogs. The dog park will have an internal walking path with a small pond in the large dog area. Fencing and trees have been installed and late last week the area was seeded.

• Disc Golf: We have available to the public a 9-hole disc golf course that begins at the corner of 133rd and Nutmeg. We are finishing up hole signage, but it is available for public use at this time. A disc golf map can be found on the city website www.cityofkalona.org.

• Splash Pad: Kalona will see its first splash pad installed this summer with a large slide, and both inground and above ground water spray features.

• Playground Equipment: With the success of the ADA playground equipment and surfacing at our Kalona City Park, we will be including a large playground structure at the Southtown Recreational Area with poured-in-place fall surfacing.

• Naturescape Playground: We will be creating a natural play area in close proximity to both the splash pad and playground area. This section of park will be more natural in feel with amenities that match the natural landscape set within the 100-year-old oak trees on the property.

• Public Restroom Facilities: The foundation is completed for the public restroom and wash station. The facility will include both men’s and women’s restrooms as well as two family restroom areas.

• Trails: Currently there are roughly two miles of recreational trails that are accessible to the public from the main trailhead. As we progress on the project, we will look to bring on more trail inventory across multiple sections of public land.

• Soccer / Multi-Purpose Fields: Along 133rd just east of the dog park we have had installed two large athletic fields that will become an area for both soccer and multi-purpose activities.

• Land Management: In 2022 the city partnered with Washington County Conservation to assist with our land management. With over 200 acres dedicated to the city, the council felt it necessary to have a land management partner to help us preserve the land for future generations. As we bring more amenities online you will see an increased presence by Washington County Conservation.

The City of Kalona has been successful in securing funding through the Washington County Riverboat Foundation as well as the state through Enhance Iowa. The balance of the project will be funded through a mix of city reserves and Local Option Sales Tax borrowing.

Kalona 2035: Shaping Our Future Together

We are in the process of developing "Kalona 2035," our comprehensive plan aimed at guiding the city's growth and improvements over the next decade. This strategic roadmap will outline key initiatives and priorities to ensure Kalona continues to be a great place to live, work, and play.

To make this plan as effective and representative as possible, we are seeking input from both residents and non-residents. Your feedback is crucial in helping us understand the community's needs and aspirations. Please take a few moments to complete our survey, available at www.cityofkalona.org.

Kalona Days: Celebrating Our Community

Mark your calendars for June 21 and 22, as we gear up for our annual Kalona Days celebration. For a complete schedule of events sponsored by the Kalona Chamber of Commerce and local businesses visit www.kalonachamber.com.

12th Annual Kalona Community Awards

We would like to announce that the City of Kalona will be presenting our 12th annual Kalona Community Awards again this Fall. This event will take place on Saturday afternoon, September 28, at the Kalona Fall Festival. Since 2012, we have celebrated community members who have made or are making a positive impact in our community, helping to make Kalona great!

If you would like to nominate someone for the 2024 Kalona Community Award, you can do this online. Visit www.cityofkalona.org and follow the link to the online nomination form. Your participation helps us recognize and honor those who contribute significantly to our community.

Important Ordinances - FAQ

In years past we get a lot of questions on certain ordinances, and we’d like to provide some guidance on those most frequently asked.

Pool Ordinance – Section 165.08: Any swimming pool with a depth of eighteen (18) inches or more is required to have a fence surrounding it. The fence must be at least five (5) feet in height.

Golf Carts – Section 81.03: Golf carts are allowed on city streets but must be first registered with the City of Kalona. To see the list of rules pertaining to golf carts you can visit www.cityofkalona.org for the online application. As a reminder, UTV’s are allowed on city streets if they are permitted through the State of Iowa (UTV Bill HF2130). ATV’s are not permitted to be operated on city streets.

Grass Clippings – Section 135.03: We would like to remind residents of the ordinance concerning grass clippings. Section 135.03 prohibits the depositing of grass clippings on city streets. This is designed for both public safety and a way to keep unwanted debris from entering our storm water management system.

As always if you have questions feel free to reach out at rschlabaugh@cityofkalona.org or 319-656-2310.