Community Visioning - Slater, IA

JBC Landscape Architects partnered with Slater through the Iowa’s Living Roadways Community Visioning Program, working alongside residents, Trees Forever staff, and Iowa State University’s design team to explore ways to strengthen local transportation networks and enhance key community spaces. Using surveys, focus groups, and a detailed review of transportation assets, the process gathered a broad range of perspectives to shape the final concepts.

The steering committee highlighted several priorities for the future: improving sidewalks and pedestrian crossings, creating stronger community-wide connections, upgrading Arboretum Park and its trailhead, establishing clearer branding and wayfinding, enhancing the downtown streetscape, and developing a new trailhead on the northwest side of town.

These goals informed a set of transportation-focused design concepts that address walkability, safety, signage, park access, and trail connectivity. The resulting plan provides Slater with a practical roadmap for elevating everyday mobility while strengthening the identity and experience of the community.