City of Bondurant, IA

Creating a Community for All in Bondurant

Population less than 10,000

Bondurant seeks to create community spaces for people of all abilities to ensure that no resident faces barriers to accessing community life. Through investment in accessible facilities, the creation of inclusive programming, and the development of public-private partnerships, Bondurant has prioritized creating an accessible, welcoming community for all.

Expanding Children’s Play Opportunities

Access to free, accessible recreational opportunities was of prime importance to Bondurant. As a result, the city invested nearly $2 million to install adaptive playground equipment including an assisted zip line with a secure harness, a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round, an innovative swing that accommodates wheelchair-users, and sensory-friendly areas. The second phase of the project will bring a splash pad and adaptable swing set which will expand the available community play options.

The carefully selected elements ensure that children with mobility or sensory challenges can play with their peers and that all families, regardless of ability, can access high-quality, free recreational spaces in their own community.

Grain District Downtown Redevelopment Project

Bondurant partnered with private developers and nonprofit organizations to develop a downtown that combines historic preservation with accessibility and innovation. This project follows a jointly developed master plan which included community input. The highlight of the redevelopment is the T12 Distillery which is run by a community member who uses a wheelchair after enduring a spinal cord injury. The space is fully accessible and not only serves as a distillery but also as an educational and philanthropic hub which raises awareness of spinal cord injuries and supports related nonprofit organizations. Collaboration with community members, private developers, and nonprofit organizations ensures that the city meets the needs of all residents while also honoring Bondurant’s rich agricultural history.

The Station

In addition to the partnerships developed in the redevelopment project, Bondurant has taken their commitment to accessibility and inclusion a step farther by partnering with the nonprofit organization Can Play which provides adaptive sports and recreation programming for individuals facing physical, cognitive, and financial barriers. To ensure the community is able to take full advantage of these offerings, Bondurant developed its first building dedicated exclusively to parks and recreation. The adaptive reuse project called The Station redevelops an old emergency services building into an inviting community space that can host programming and includes a variety of services such as a wellness room. The new building fills a critical gap in the city’s infrastructure and provides an opportunity for all residents to fully participate in recreational activities. Individuals of all abilities will be able to use this space to connect, feel valued, and thrive.

Bondurant’s commitment to community equity and inclusion shines through these recreational initiatives. The success of this project showcases the importance of the key pillars of collaboration, innovation, and intentionality. By ensuring community involvement and partnering with innovative developers and nonprofit organizations, Bondurant shows that equity and inclusion is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Careful planning, collaboration between city staff and community members, and creativity help design programs and spaces that serve everyone.