Organizers talk options for proposed athletic park

Nathan Compton, project manager for Decorah’s future athletic park facility on what is known as the old Dahlen property, presented three different project concepts to city representatives and stakeholders during a meeting October 10. (Photo by Denise Lana)

By Denise Lana,

City officials and community members were presented Thursday, Oct. 10 with three options for a proposed athletic park facility on what is known as the Dahlen property along Old Stage Road. Each design exceeded the city’s budget by approximately $500,000, and city officials expect to take the topic up again next month. 

Three potential concepts for Decorah’s future athletic facility were discussed and narrowed down to a potential single preferred plan at a special session held Oct. 10 with Decorah representatives and landscape architects.  

A group made up of city council members, city staff, parks and recreation commission members and project stakeholders met previously and prioritized features for the proposed athletic park. Members of ISG Architecture and Engineering drafted three conceptual plans which incorporated those priorities, such as multi-use ball fields, pickleball courts and a playground. The concept plans were presented during the Oct. 10 meeting.  

Nathan Compton, civil engineer and project manager with ISG reviewed each concept with organizers Oct. 10.

The first concept — which Compton indicated would impact the build site the least — included two large ball fields, with potential space for two additional ball fields in the future. The concept also included a pair of batting cages and a 100-stall parking lot as well as four pickle ball courts. The second concept would impact the site somewhat more, according to Compton, and would allow for a more ideal orientation of two multi-use ball fields.  

“For ball play, fields should be oriented north for sun and traditional times of game play,” Compton said.  “Centerfield should be oriented with the sun.”

The second design option would also include a 100-stall parking lot and parking overflow in addition to designated food truck spaces and two batting cages. Pickleball courts would also be included, but they would not be oriented north-south due to constraints, according to Compton.  

The third and most impactful design would feature an athletic hub in the center of the property and require the nearby dog park be relocated to make room for parking.  The design includes two large ball fields, open air shelters, four pickle ball courts, batting cages and a playground. 

Full article available in the October 17 Decorah Leader.

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