Confluence in partnership with USAquatics, MSR Architects and PROS Consulting, have been working on a redesign of SandVenture in the context of the future possible reconfiguration of Lions Park. 

Staff collected comments through a Social Pinpoint survey and also met with user groups. The survey showed that users love Lions Park and SandVenture and use the park and its facilities on a frequent basis and come from throughout the community to this amenity-rich park.  

The overall Lions Park layout is an early concept and staff and consultants will be meeting with the Lions and users groups to fine-tune design concepts. We have attached these early concepts with both the summer and winter versions.

One of the goals of the layout is to make the Lions Park experience safer for users, especially in disc golf and to relocate users so there are fewer conflicts, ie. basketball adjacent to the playground. The larger goal is to make this signature park a year round experience for a multitude of users.  

Here are some of general theme of comments:

• More pickleball courts and some sort of shaded waiting area
• New disc golf layout to cut down on conflicts with paths.  They are working on that layout to minimize conflicts
• New disc golf baskets and some benches at the holes
• A new No. 1 hole that starts adjacent to the parking lot so it would be easier for tournaments and to put up a leader board.
• Move the basketball away from the playground because of noise and comments from players
• Another skating rink for possible broom ball - concrete?
• More parking for events like disc golf tournaments when other things are going on (SandVenture)
• Replacing existing basketball court with something like Bankshot for smaller children
• Miracle Field request by Lions

The SandVenture concept would result in a facility that could be used all year.  The consultants have worked with Parks and Recreation staff on how to maximize the use of the facility.  It also includes many new amenities.  There are plans for facility that the city could lease to a private operator in cooperation with the city to activate the space at night for private events and during the winter and also serve the surrounding community.

Confluence and its team have identified several facilities in the Midwest that are similar and can be used as models of success.