A new agility course is open at Carr Park in Ames, featuring cargo nets, balance beams, ladders and more play components for users of a variety of ages.
Besides the agility equipment, the project at the site of the former Carr Pool includes safety surfacing, a concrete border, a sidewalk connection along Meadowlane Avenue and a neighborhood park shelter.
Members of the Ames City Council, Parks and Recreation Commission and Parks and Recreation Department cut the ribbon on the $729,000 agility course on Thursday, July 10, at the 1704 Meadowlane Ave. park.
“Ames’ park system is second to none,” Mayor John Haila said. “The number of acres we have per capita is double that of a national average. This is another example of the city of Ames’ commitment to developing and improving all of the park system.”
Multiple play components for exercise
The city first considered the agility course in 2021. But other high-priority city projects like the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center and Schainker Plaza and the rising cost of materials delayed the project.
Despite that, the agility course, with about 15 play components such as cargo nets, overhead ladders, balance beams, ledge hangers and a spider walk, ended up being about $10,000 under budget.
The various components will offer a variety of physical challenges to enhance lower and upper body strength.
One of the charges of Ames’ Parks and Recreation Commission is seeking out new amenities to get the most diverse population possible using city parks, Commission Chair Nathan Shimanek said.
“This agility course is going to be a blast,” said. “I hope we have a new set of people that can come out here and enjoy this.”
Carr Pool built a nearly century-long reputation
Formerly occupying the site of the agility course was the 60-by-175-foot Carr Pool, built in 1926 by Emmett and Alpha Carr. The couple owned and operated the pool until 1973, when they sold it to the city.
As the city’s only outdoor pool for public use, it operated for more than 80 years, closing in 2009 when the Furman Aquatic Center opened. Carr Pool was demolished in 2012.
The journey from pool to green space to an agility course is an example of Ames’ parks being “transient in nature,” Parks and Recreation Director Keith Abraham said.
“They may be open space at one time; they may have an amenity and then go back to open space; those amenities may change,” Abrham said. “Why we do that is based on the feedback we get from the community, and looking at what the needs are in the community.”
Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Carr Park agility course now open, offers cargo nets, ladders and more
Reporting by Celia Brocker, Ames Tribune / Ames Tribune
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