The grand opening for the upgraded Riverview Park was held on Thursday morning.

After a brief ribbon cutting, attendees dispersed and spent time in the new amenities, particularly the new pickleball courts where the tennis courts used to be. Marshalltown Parks and Rec staff were on the courts, playing against citizens who wanted to take them on.

Two months into her new position as Marshalltown Parks and Rec Director, Kelsie Stafford visited with the grand opening attendees and was happy to see a lot of people.

“Our parks staff all came down, and that was really nice to see,” she said. “They’re out doing their work a lot of times and the only time they get together is the morning meeting and lunch. So, it’s nice to see them all together, having some fun.”

The new features at the park include:

• Four pickleball courts;

• Astroturf volleyball court;

• Lighting for the courts and basketball court;

• Upgraded playground equipment with a climbing apparatus by Union Hall;

• Pedestrian steel bridge;

• Lagoon dredging and bank improvements;

• Horseshoe pit and;

Improved sidewalks.

• Fortunately, the Riverview Park improvement project was basically completed by the time Stafford was hired last month.

“I want to give kudos to our parks staff,” she said. “Kristin (Titus) is our parks supervisor and she did a great job stepping in when needed. Of course, Heather (Thomas), the public works director, and her staff did a lot of work and a great job. I’m happy to be included at the tail end.”

Stafford is new to the city position and to Marshalltown, and said her favorite thing about Riverview is the fact that it is aesthetically pleasing.

“We have a lot of green space and a ton of amenities down here, which is amazing,” she said. “It’s so big that you may not even know all of the things that are down here. I think there really is something for everyone here at Riverview Park. The improvements that went in really reinforce that. It’s a great community park.”

Mayor Joel Greer was at the park during the ribbon cutting, but was unable to make it to the actual event as he was talking with recreational equipment representatives. However, he is happy with the way Riverview has turned out.

“It is getting to be pretty phenomenal,” he said. “It is a huge, expansive, well-groomed park.”

Greer pointed out the dog park, which is loved by dog owners; the flower arrangements which are a draw and; the new playground equipment.

“I’m going to take my granddaughters there. It’s perfect for them,” he said. “I’m also pleased we converted the tennis courts to pickleball, which is more and more popular. There is a new pond with trees and I’ve already seen people enjoying it with fishing poles. The disc golf course has also been redone and the ATV course is getting a lot of use.”

Greer said he was surprised that new spaces for campers were not included, but otherwise said Riverview is a nice park.

He added that the city’s plans for parks never stop. Greer is particularly looking forward to an upcoming potential project which is a glowing trail at West End Park, stretching from the Iowa Veterans Home to Miller Middle School.

“It’s going to be cool,” he said. “Marshalltown will be the third town in the state to have one. It will be a safe way for kids to walk or bike to school, and at night it will be an attraction. People already enjoy seeing the bands in the band shell. This is going to be a cool place to hang out in the summer.”

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.