Community Visioning - Polk City, IA

JBC Landscape Architects guided Polk City through a community visioning process focused on enhancing transportation corridors, strengthening community identity, and improving pedestrian, trail, and recreational connectivity. Working with Trees Forever field staff and Iowa State University partners, the team engaged residents and stakeholders through surveys, focus groups, and assessments of streets, trails, parks, and other community assets to identify opportunities for safer, more connected, and year-round recreation.

The steering committee identified several priorities: connecting to existing trail systems, improving street safety, updating wayfinding and signage to support a cohesive community identity, and enhancing recreational opportunities across the city. These goals shaped a coordinated set of concept plans addressing trail networks, trailheads, parks, safety improvements, and community beautification.

The resulting vision provides Polk City with a clear, actionable roadmap for phased implementation, supporting connectivity, recreational access, and community identity while reinforcing the city’s natural and cultural assets.