Coon Rapids was one of 10 communities selected to participate in the
2018 Iowa’s Living Roadways Community Visioning Program. The program,
which selects communities through a competitive application process,
provides professional planning and design assistance along
transportation corridors to small Iowa communities (populations of fewer than 10,000).
Goals for the Visioning Program include:
• Developing a conceptual plan and implementation strategies with local communities
• Enhancing the natural, cultural, and visual resources of communities
• Assisting local communities in using external funds as leverage for transportation corridor enhancement
Coon Rapids was one of 10 communities selected to participate in the 2018 Iowa’s Living Roadways Community Visioning Program. It is a collaboration involving the Iowa Department of Transportation, the Living Roadway Trust Fund, Iowa State University and Trees Forever. The program, which selects communities through a competitive application process, provides professional planning and design assistance along transportation corridors to small Iowa communities with populations of fewer than 10,000.
With assistance from
Iowa State University’s Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology,
ISU visioning program staff conducted a survey to better understand the
transportation patterns and behaviors, needs and desires of Coon Rapids
residents. Surveys were mailed to 300 randomly selected residents living
in Coon Rapids and the surrounding area. To increase the response rate,
the study was publicized through the local media and follow-up packets
were mailed to nonrespondents. With adjustments for ineligible
respondents (e.g., incorrect addresses, no longer living in the
community), the final sample size was 264. A total of 136 people
returned surveys, for a response rate of 51.5 percent. A response rate
of 20 percent is considered valid.
In addition to the survey, Coon Rapids residents were invited to
participate in focus groups to capture insights about transportation
from a variety of perspectives. To increase the number of participants,
the focus group was publicized through the local media, social media and
various other means of communication. A total of 56 residents attended
Coon Rapids’ workshop. Participants were separated into five user groups
– actives, mobility impaired, older adults, youth and parents.
Over the course of eight months, a
representative from Trees Forever facilitated the research portion of
the program as well as meetings between a design team and a Coon Rapids
Steering Committee to analyze the research, formulate priorities and
design a plan.
The Coon Rapids visioning committee identified a number of goals and priority areas during the visioning process.
• Main Street improvements
• Enhance town arrival experience on Hwy Street and Hwy 141 intersection
• Trail Connection on Velvet Avenue and Stagecoach Road.
• Develop a community plaza/gathering space near Main Street
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Main Street Improvements

Downtown Plaza

Trail Connection
Velvet Avenue and Stagecoach Road

Entrance Streetscaping

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