The University of Iowa and a nonprofit are teaming up to make public spaces more accessible for everyone. With a new project aimed at expanding an accessibility map, people across the state will soon have a better sense of where they can enjoy Iowa’s parks, museums, trails, and more—no matter their abilities.
Expanding Access Across Iowa
This collaborative effort between the Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities (IISC) and Pathfinders Resource Conservation and Development is all about helping people of all abilities access Iowa’s public spaces. The initiative’s focus is on gathering data, expanding an accessibility map, and creating a statewide resource for both locals and visitors.
“We want to make sure people can go to public spaces and enjoy nature, culture, and recreation without worrying about accessibility,” said Travis Krause, director of the Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities. “This project is a big step in making that happen.”
The project, which launched in December 2024, relies heavily on the input of Iowans. Through a survey distributed by Pathfinders and other local groups, individuals across the state can provide feedback about the accessibility of parks, cultural sites, and nature areas. While the accessibility map previously covered just south-central Iowa, the goal is to expand this vital resource statewide.
The Power of Local Collaboration
The collaboration between the University of Iowa and Pathfinders Resource Conservation and Development is key to the project’s success. Krause explained that the goal of IISC is to connect university staff, students, and resources with local community partners. These partnerships, such as the one with Pathfinders, allow for impactful work on projects that matter to the community.
For this particular project, students from the Iowa Community Integrated Geography Organization (ICIGO) have been using Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping tools to display the accessible spaces across the state. By working with Pathfinders and the university, the students are contributing to something much larger than a typical classroom project.
Jessica Monday, a graduate assistant with the initiative, shared how the work has opened her eyes to new aspects of accessibility that she hadn’t considered before. “There are so many factors that go into making a space accessible,” said Monday. “Even things like adult changing tables in public restrooms aren’t something I thought about before, but they are so important for many families.”
While the project is still in its early stages, the energy around it is palpable. The hope is that more people will contribute to the survey and map to ensure the project reaches as many people as possible.
Why Public Input Matters
Krause emphasized that the success of this project relies on broad community participation. “Our success really hinges on the help of people across the state,” he said. “It’s the information people provide through the survey that makes this all possible.”
So far, the survey has gathered 16 responses, but the team is hoping to see more as the project gains momentum. As the survey continues, more updates will be made to the accessibility map to reflect the current status of public spaces in the state.
Key Features of the Accessibility Map:
- Museums
- Trails
- Campgrounds
- Other partially or fully accessible spaces
One of the most important aspects of the project is that it’s ongoing—there’s no end date for the survey, meaning people can continue contributing information about public spaces as they experience them. This ensures the map stays up to date and continues to reflect the state of accessibility in Iowa.
Looking Ahead: Where Can Iowa Improve?
Krause and Monday both agreed that this project might be just the beginning. Once the accessibility map is expanded, there’s potential to use it to identify areas in need of improvement. Krause mentioned the possibility of launching a future phase where survey respondents could provide feedback on which areas require further accessibility upgrades. This could help local governments, organizations, and communities make targeted improvements to spaces that would benefit from increased accessibility.
As public interest grows, more people will likely get involved, whether through offering feedback or using the map to plan their visits. Ultimately, the hope is that this project sets a precedent for other states and encourages broader efforts to make public spaces more inclusive.
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