Newton, Iowa residents began concept development for a new park in 2022, aiming to provide a chorus of activity that:

• Creates utility and beauty from a vacant lot, especially a comfortable space for gathering

• Encourages Main Street visitation with an event-ready space for markets and public performances

• Provides a public restroom and visitor information

• Connects the downtown square with Legacy Plaza, two re-developing activity nodes The park’s program, led by Newton Main Street with support from Bolton-Menk, has evolved significantly and now aims for swift design and activation as the planning work wraps this fall.

Specifically, Harmony Park seeks an artist’s permanent installation to complement the pavilion that provides:

• Shade/shelter adaptable to a range of uses

• Lighting to welcome, if not interact, with visitors

• Reinforcement of the placename and heritage of the community

Newton is a town of about 16,000 people. The community worked to reinvent the local economy after Maytag Corporation (which employed about 1 in 5 residents) closed nearly 20 years ago. Today, many of the civic organizations remain and the rebirth of a manufacturing economy continues with TPI Composites, among others.