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