Iowa City has selected a contractor for a $2 million renovation of its long-awaited skate park at Terrell Mill Park, with construction expected to begin in spring 2026 and wrap up by November of that year.
.jpg)
The Iowa City City Council approved staff’s recommendation to award the project to Vieth Construction of Waterloo. The renovation targets the skate park along the Iowa River near Mayflower Residence Hall, a facility that first opened in 2002 and has served as one of the city’s few dedicated gathering spaces for skateboarders, bikers and rollerbladers.
City officials say the upgrades are designed to modernize the aging facility while expanding its appeal to users of all experience levels. Parks and Recreation staff previously told the Press-Citizen the project aims to grow participation and better serve beginners, intermediate riders and experienced skaters alike.
Renovation plans include expanding the overall footprint of the skate park and adding multiple new features, such as tracks for bikes, skateboards and rollerblades, along with a dedicated spectator viewing area that does not exist in the current layout.
"We're looking at some more gathering space type areas as well, places where communities can be fostered and created," Iowa City Parks and Forestry Superintendent Tyler Baird previously told the Press-Citizen.
One of the project’s standout elements is the addition of a pavement pump track — a looping, wave-like course designed to let riders generate momentum without pedaling. Baird said the feature would be among the first of its kind in Iowa, noting that a dirt pump track was installed in Clinton in 2021.
To accommodate the expanded amenities, the park will extend slightly north toward the Beckwith Boathouse, home of the University of Iowa rowing program.
City officials emphasized that community feedback played a significant role in shaping the design. According to Baird, Iowa City gathered extensive input through surveys and open houses in early 2024, with skaters highlighting the importance of inclusivity across skill levels.
"We heard a lot about (skaters) being a community, and wanting each different kind of skill level (represented)," Baird said. "They wanted to have an opportunity to support the others in the community but still have space for their needs as well."
Baird said he expects the upgraded park to strengthen local skating and biking communities and deliver long-term value for residents.
"The more it's being used, the more people are loving it, the more value that it's providing the community," Baird said.
Originally reported by Ryan Hansen in Iowa City Press-Citizen.
.png)
