Lakin Family Park
Lakin Family Park: 235 Harmony St Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Grand Opening: Wednesday, June 15, 2022
The Lakin Family Park is connected to the existing YMCA facility and is a beautiful public space that is used by both YMCA members and the general community as a place of gathering and recreation during YMCA operational hours.
The park project includes a covered pavilion, sport courts, walking path, green space, play features and additional parking. “The Lakin Family Park is a place where people of all ages and backgrounds come together,” said Leo McIntosh, Vice President of Iowa Operations for the YMCA of Greater Omaha.
The Lakin Family Park hosts traditional YMCA events and programming like outdoor fitness classes, sport practices and summer day camp activities while also encouraging the community to enjoy a game of pick-up basketball or have fun on the play features.
“We are so grateful for the lead gifts from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and the Iowa West Foundation,” said Rebecca Deterding, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Omaha. “Their generosity launched this project before the pandemic and inspired several other donors and community leaders to get involved. The Charles E. Lakin YMCA opened in 2017, and since then there has been a need for outdoor space to better serve our Council Bluffs community.”
INCREASED ACCESS
We want our members to feel welcome any time of day. This project creates more parking spots with easy access to the Charles E. Lakin YMCA. For our members, that means no more cruising the parking lot hoping a spot opens up. They can get in and reach their health and wellness goals quickly and conveniently.
MORE PLACES TO PLAY
Along with providing the neighbors with a welcoming place to play, this area will provide a whole new environment for our Early Learning Center and summer camps to explore.
FUN FOR EVERYONE
The plan includes an outdoor recreation court, letting some of our members’ favorite activities expand beyond our walls. These multi-purpose courts make the space attractive for members of all ages, supporting inclusive use and providing all the benefits of multi-generational environments.
ENJOY THE URBAN WILD
Transforming this space into a peaceful getaway in the middle of the city encourages quiet reflection, social gathering and access to nature.