he effort to remove about 200 cottonwood trees on the Iowa side of the river will begin soon in order to make room for what will be a "signature" Council Bluffs park.

Plans are to build an 85-acre riverfront park at the eastern end of the Bob Kerry Pedestrian

	Artist's rendering of the Great Lawn area planned for the River's Edge Park.

Bridge. Currently being called 'River's Edge Park', it will offer space for recreation, outdoor movies and concerts, hiking, biking and other uses.

The park will stretch just north of the bridge south to Harrah's Casino. It will feature a 6-acre "Great Lawn" where people can relax, play games or enjoy a concert with the Omaha skyline as a backdrop.

A large sand area with "funbrellas' will sit between the Great Lawn and the river. This area will be raked and retopped as needed.

A 2-lane park road will wind through the park as well as a walking-bike trail that will connect to the pedestrian bridge entrance. About 1,300 parking stalls will also be available which has been one of the largest complaints from users of the bridge.
 

View Council Bluffs Riverfront Master Plans Document

Additional plans call for the installation of a fountain on the eastern end of the lawn space with enough room to provide ice skating during the winter months. A concession stand with restrooms and park shelters will also be installed.

Construction will be done in three phases. Phase I which includes the 6-acre Great Lawn, the sand area, pavilions, road, a walking-bike trail along the new road and parking lot for 140 vehicles should be open to the public by spring 2012.

Phase II will include construction of the fountain area, concession stand, extending the walking-bike trail north of the bridge and additional parking space.

The completion of the road and walking-bike trail through the north parkland area will occur during Phase III, along with park shelters and more parking.

The Iowa West Foundation has committed $5.45 million over the next 2 years for the project. The city of Council Bluffs will match this amount through its capital improvement program.