Our Union Block team rolled up our sleeves this week to volunteer alongside Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity on a home in the Church Row neighborhood. We’re inspired by the transformative work Habitat is doing to build hope and opportunity in our community through affordable home ownership. A big thank you to the Habitat team for leading us and for all they do to strengthen Waterloo’s neighborhoods! (fb)

We are excited to highlight the progress on a community initiative transforming two of the city’s most well-loved public spaces—Gates Park and Byrnes Park Aquatic Center! The City parks system in Waterloo has a rich history of providing high-quality, creative, and well-maintained public spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy. Waterloo’s Leisure Services Commission announced the Transforming Gates and Byrnes Parks Project in 2022. These projects were shaped by community feedback and aim to create accessible, engaging spaces for residents of all ages and abilities. To support these efforts, the Waterloo Community Foundation partnered with the City of Waterloo and Leisure Services to establish the Make a Splash: Transforming Gates and Byrnes Parks Fund, giving community members an opportunity to contribute to the fundraising efforts. Grassroots support through this fund played a key role in securing a $1 million Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) Grant from the State of Iowa’s Enhance Iowa Board. The fully renovated Byrnes Park Aquatic Center opened TODAY and now features a 4-lane, 25-yard lap pool, slide tower, diving board, expanded zero-depth entry play pool with splash features, and updated amenities including the shower house, concessions, shade structures, and seating. Gates Park is already active with community use! The Pauline R. Barrett Inclusive Playground and Spray Park opened last spring, offering a welcoming space for children of all abilities to play together. The Hispanic Soccer League has kicked off its season on the newly renovated soccer field, and additional improvements along Lester Street—including a new shelter, resurfaced courts, and updated restrooms—are nearly complete. Even more amenities will be available mid-June, including a new amphitheater, basketball courts, skate track, and renovated restrooms. Basketball leagues and community events are already reserving the space. Interim Director of Waterloo Leisure Services, Todd Derifield, says, “All of the improvements at Gates Park and the Byrnes Aquatic Center are incredible and we are so excited to start using all these amazing amenities in the summer of 2025! I can’t thank the donors to these projects enough!” The Make a Splash Fund provided $40,000 to support these enhancements—part of the more than $19 million invested in the transformation. “The Waterloo Community Foundation is incredible to work with,” continued Todd. “Their creation of the Make a Splash funding opportunity was a key part of our funding campaign!” The Waterloo Community Foundation is proud to be part of this incredible investment in our city’s future. Thank you to all those who contributed to the Make a Splash: Transforming Gates and Byrnes Parks Fund. We look forward to enjoying these revitalized spaces with you this summer! (fb)