PROGRESS: Pearl Street Park opens as first downtown green space

The brand-new half-acre park sits at 620 Pearl St. in the space behind the former KCAU Channel 9 building, which is the future home of Lamb Arts Regional Theatre. Completed last year, the park features grassy space, a "sensory garden," shade structures, sculptures and more. 

"Most great cities have a nice green space," city Parks and Recreation Director Matt Salvatore said. "That's something that's been lacking that we're happy to provide." 

The majority of the park's cost was financed through a $500,000 donation by Regina Roth, a community leader and co-founder of Dakota Dunes-based Beef Products Inc. Roth has said she hopes the park will lead to other "pocket" parks in the city's downtown. 

"When you think about young people coming with their families to look, where do I want to settle, they look at things like bike trails and parks and green space," she said during a 2016 press conference announcing the park.

A grand opening for the park was held in October. While Salvatore said it's hard to say how popular the park was in it opening months, since the weather was beginning to turn colder, he said he anticipates it will be a well-frequented destination when warmer weather arrives. 

"We have a lot of high expectations through the spring, summer and fall," he said. "We're looking forward to seeing how the park is used." 

Situated across the street from the LaunchPad Children's Museum and within walking distance of several area businesses, Salvatore said the park lends itself to holding special events or people wanting to eat lunch outdoors on a nice day. Its downtown location will also be in the vicinity of Food Truck Fridays.

The Parks and Recreation Department used a design created by University of Iowa graduate students to turn the former parking lot into the recreational green space.