Swisher Woods

The Swisher Tract

In 2018, the City Council approved the purchase of the 11.8 acre Swisher Tract to preserve the wooded ravine as a natural amenity and park. It is the largest undeveloped parcel within City limits and buffers the neighborhood north of Melrose from the University of Iowa. The tract is accessible from Sunset Street and Glencrest Drive.

Open House for Public Review

University Heights held an Open House Event on August 5, 2025, at City Hall for the public’s review and input on the proposed Swisher Tract Trail Master Plan. Exhibits prepared by Bolton & Menk for the Open House can be viewed at the link below:

Initial Report on Proposed Trails 

On June 10, 2025, Think Iowa City and Bolton & Menk gave a presentation to the City Council on trails proposed on and near the Swisher Tract:

Special Municipal Election

On May 1, 2018, the City held a special election to submit the following proposition to voters:

"Shall the City of University Heights, in Johnson County, State of Iowa, enter into a loan agreement and issue its bonds in an amount not exceeding the amount of $1,800,000 for the purpose of paying the cost, to that extent, of acquiring and developing land for use as a municipal park and green space to protect air quality, water quality in streams, natural areas and wildlife habitat?"

With a turnout of 184 voters (24.4 percent), the results were:

  • Yes:  139 (76 percent [60 percent required])
  • No:  45 (24 percent)

Purchase of the Swisher Tract

The Swisher Tract was sold at auction by the Ruth V. Swisher Revocable Trust on June 14, 2018. With four other parties bidding, the City of University Heights won the auction with a bid of $480,000.

The auction poster advertised "an unprecedented land development opportunity in the popular University Heights area."