Dry Run Plaza Park - Decorah, Iowa

Dry Run Plaza Park was conceptualized during Decorah’s participation in the Iowa’s Living Roadways Community Visioning Program. To further develop the project, JBC assisted in securing grant funding and engaged with the City to develop a more detailed and site specific design for this parcel of land. After several discussions with the City, JBC developed a design that addressed the City’s following needs:

• Develop a small gathering space that functions as a social node and meaningful plaza park transition between the downtown district and adjacent residential neighborhoods.

• Provide a respite with seating and shade amenities for business employees and for downtown shoppers/patrons.

• Provide a plaza that preserves views toward the Dry Run Creek corridor - instead of turning its back to it and screening it.

• Create an outdoor space for residents and visitors that is pet friendly.

• Start the initiative of cleaning up the Dry Run Creek corridor, and restoring wildlife habitat.

The plaza was completed in 2021, and has been a tremendous success. It is utilized by Decorah’s residents, downtown businesses, and outside visitors on a daily basis.