The Community Foundation of Johnson County (CFJC) is proud to announce a $1,246,300 grant from the Centennial Park Next Stage Fund to the City of North Liberty. Over 300 individual donors, businesses, and foundations have contributed to the designated fund since March 2023 to help support building one of the region’s most ambitious community gathering spaces.
The allocation is the largest single grant ever awarded by the CFJC and serves as a fitting milestone in what has become the Foundation’s largest year of grantmaking and community investment to date.
The long-term vision to transform Centennial Park into a premier destination for recreation, arts, entertainment, and community connection began in 2010 when the city acquired a 40-acre soybean field. Sixteen years, several park master plan iterations, and a capital campaign later, Centennial Park has taken big strides to becoming a magnetic gathering place and is on step two of the four-phase development plan.
Phase one opened in October 2025, bringing an indoor event hall and outdoor stage, Hy-Vee Center & Amphitheater, to fruition, along with plaza space and permanent year-round restrooms. Phase two, an 8,000-square-foot splash pad, adjacent seating, additional restrooms and shade structures, is currently under construction and is expected to be open for summer 2027. Phases three and four, anticipated by 2030, will add a large open-air pavilion, expanded parking, and an honor garden.
“This investment reflects what is possible when philanthropy, community vision, and partnership come together. Centennial Park is more than a construction project—it is a place where people will gather, celebrate, connect, and create memories for decades to come. We are honored to support a project that will have a lasting impact on the quality of life in North Liberty and throughout Johnson County,” said Shelly Maharry, President & CEO of the Community Foundation of Johnson County.
The Community Foundation’s support builds upon years of partnership and community philanthropy that have helped advance the Next Stage vision. Through collaboration among local government, donors, businesses, foundations, and community leaders, Centennial Park has become a powerful example of what can be achieved when a community invests in shared spaces and shared experiences.
“Establishing a designated fund with the CFJC was an essential step in the success of our capital campaign,” said Ryan Heiar, the City Administrator of the City of North Liberty. “Not only was the Foundation a trusted steward for donors to make their contributions to, but the CFJC staff provided a wealth of knowledge and resources that helped the city leverage and secure other grants for the project.”
An initial investment of $50,000 from the Community Foundation of Johnson County was leveraged to secure a $500,000 grant award from the Washington Riverboat Foundation which is reflected in the $1.2M grant being awarded from the Centennial Park Fund at the CFJC. An additional $900,000 grant, not included in the $1.2M grant, was awarded to the City from the Enhance Iowa Board – this contribution was made possible because of the broad community support demonstrated by the CFJC’s Fund which held gifts from over 300 individual donors and businesses.
Numerous private celebrations and public events have been taking place inside Hy-Vee Center since last fall, and the amphitheater debuted last month. The inaugural season offers a lineup of 10 free and ticketed events this summer on the outdoor stage, culminating with a Gin Blossoms concert on September 13.
For the Community Foundation of Johnson County, the grant represents both a historic milestone and a reflection of its mission to connect charitable resources with opportunities that strengthen communities. As the Foundation concludes its most impactful year of grantmaking to date, the Centennial Park investment demonstrates the power of local philanthropy to create lasting, visible change.
Gifts are still being accepted to support the project. Learn more at northlibertyiowa.org/nextstage.