Pottawattamie County Parks Master Plan

Council Bluffs, IA

Pottawattamie County Conservation Board (PCCB) selected Big Muddy to guide development of master plans for five parks in their county park system. Each park is unique in its natural resources, level of previous park development and potential to better serve the needs of county residents. Working with a Project Planning Team consisting of county park staff and Conservation Board members, Big Muddy led a planning process to define system-wide goals and develop individual master plans for each park.

Existing facilities and natural resources in each park were analyzed by Big Muddy’s landscape architects. This information was reviewed with each park’s manager to confirm its accuracy and to gain a better understanding of operational issues, use patterns and visitor preferences in each park. Preliminary master plans were developed for each park and these proposals were then reviewed with the Planning Team.

Old Town Park
Old Town Park
Narrows River Park MP
Narrows River Park MP
Hitchcock Nature Center
Hitchcock Nature Center
Hitchcock Nature Center Bypass Enlargement 2
Hitchcock Nature Center Bypass Enlargement 2
Farm Creek
Farm Creek
Arrowhead Park MP
Arrowhead Park MP
Arrowhead Park Breezy Lodge Enlargement
Arrowhead Park Breezy Lodge Enlargement
previous arrow
next arrow

A master plan drawing, and accompanying written report, describes improvements in detail for each park. The items in the report vary from maintenance items that can easily be addressed by park staff to major projects that will require additional planning and design prior to construction. Opinions of construction cost were developed for all maintenance, renovation and new construction items included in the report of each park.

Arrowhead Park is PCCB’s most developed and heavily used park with improvements and expansions planned for its campgrounds and construction of additional camping cabins. Accessibility (ADA) improvements are planned for its many picnic areas and fishing access areas. Campground development at Old Town Park will provide basic facilities to increase use of visitors desiring a rustic camping experience. New trails and fishing access improvements will increase recreational opportunities at Farm Creek Wildlife Area. An expanded picnic area, restroom improvements, roadway safety projects and ADA upgrades will enhance visits at Hitchcock Nature Area. A new dog park and disc golf course will expand active recreation opportunities that include boating and archery range at Narrows River Park on the Missouri River in Council Bluffs.