With the help of the community, Sioux Center’s new pond has a name: Bridgeview Pond.
This name for the 4-acre retention pond in southeastern Sioux Center was chosen out of more than 175 name submissions contributed by residents. Bridgeview Pond was the top finalist, a name reflecting the nearby wooden covered pedestrian bridge on the recreation trail and highlighting the natural beauty and calming character of the area.
The selected pond name was submitted by two separate Sioux Center residents: Brittany Van Aartsen and Koleby Van Beek. More than 540 people voted to help choose the name Bridgeview Pond.
Bridgeview Pond is designed to retain rainwater and improve Sioux Center’s environmental impact, and it will also serve as an outdoor recreation area for walking, biking, and catch-and-release fishing.
“This pond has been a great partnership between the City and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Water Quality Initiative, and Iowa DNR,” said Assistant Utilities Manager Adam Fedders. “They’re even looking at using this pond as an example to other communities of how to improve water quality while also improving quality of life.”
The public can access Bridgeview Pond by a new sidewalk from 11th Street SE or the recreation trail near Woodbridge. The pond is surrounded by a paved trail for maintenance and also pedestrians and bikes.
Bridgeview Pond is designed to have water in it year-round, with stop logs that can adjust the level of the water. Located southwest of Sioux Center Health and northwest of the Woodbridge development, Bridgeview Pond is being paid for with $1 million from the State Revolving Fund, $100,000 in Water Quality Initiative funds, and local stormwater utility funds.