News

Decorah Parks and Recreation fall program begins Monday, August 15. Registration can be completed online or in the Park-Rec Office. 

The following programs will be offered by Decorah Parks & Recreation in September and October. A complete list of programs and our registration form can also be viewed in our fall brochure.

Flag Football is open to students in 1st thru 6th grade. This program is held Saturday mornings, September 10 thru October 15, at Will Baker Athletic Fields.  Game mornings will consist of a short practice followed by a game.  Games will not be rescheduled if cancelled due to weather. Registered players should pick up their shirts and schedules in the Park-Rec Office Thursday, September 8. Registration due Wednesday, August 24.

Spikesters Volleyball is open to students in 3rd thru 6th grade. This program meets in the Carrie Lee Elementary Gym on Saturday mornings,  September 10 thru October 15.  Skills are taught weekly and then put to use in game-like situations.  Shirts and schedules will be available for pick up in the Park-Rec Office Thursday, September 8. Registration due Wednesday, August 24.

Adult Coed Slowpitch Softball: League play is Wednesday evenings beginning September 7 and running thru late October.  Games are played at Diamond #2 (near the Tennis Courts).  Teams consist of at least 5 male and 5 female players, with a roster maximum of 20.  Teams are responsible for umping games; 12-inch game balls are supplied. Official roster forms may be downloaded from our website or picked up at the Park-Rec. Office.  Schedules will be emailed to captains. Games balls will be available in the office on Tuesday, September 6. Registration due Friday, August 26.

Game Plan is open to students in 1st & 2nd grades. This program meets right after school and will include a variety of activities including sports and yard games! This program meets Thursdays, September 22 thru October 13, 3:15-4:00pm. Students will meet in the John Cline gym and walk over to the green space in the outfield of Diamond #2.  Maximum of 20 participants. Registration due Friday, September 16.

TOUCH-A-TRUCK – A fun, free, open house event for the whole family. No need to register, just show up! Join us in the parking lot behind the Decorah Fire Department on Saturday, October 15, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon.  Kids will have the opportunity to explore their favorite vehicles including police, fire and emergency vehicles, construction equipment, and city maintenance vehicles.  This event is co-hosted with the Decorah Fire Department in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week, and includes a free hot dog lunch.

 

 

Decorah’s Get-2-Gether Committee and Decorah Parks and Recreation are hosting a free Summer Celebration for adults with special needs from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m, Wednesday, August 17. at Whalen Cabin near Phelps Park.

Adults with special needs are invited for an evening of music, games, Mabes Pizza and Culver’s Custard. Volunteers will be provided by the Luther College Soccer Teams.

 

Sponsors and community donations allow G2G volunteers to offer these events at no cost to participants.

 

Participants should register for this event by Monday, August 15, to allow volunteers to plan accordingly. Registration can be completed online at www.get2g.com or by contacting the Decorah’s Parks and Recreation office, (563) 382-4158 or parkrec@decorahia.org.

Gnomes in the Park returns for Nordic Fest 2022! Stop by the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce to pick up or download a Gnomes in the Park Scavenger Hunt Form for a list of clues to find gnomes for your chance to win a drawing prize.

Search the park for gnomes and fill out the Gnomes in the Park Scavenger Hunt form by writing down the secret word on the back of each gnome. Return your Gnomes in the Park Scavenger Hunt form to the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce for your chance to win a drawing prize. This activity is organized by Decorah Parks & Recreation and Winneshiek County Conservation. It is perfect for kids, adults or the whole family! Please do not remove gnomes from the parks. Your completed Gnomes in the Park Scavenger Hunt form is your ticket for your chance to win a prize.

The 30^th annual Decorah Parks and Recreation Fair Fun Run sponsored by Collins Aerospace, Deco Products Company, Dental Associates of Decorah, Gundersen Health System, Oneota Valley Family Eye Care, The Family Table, was held on Saturday, July 16^th with 100 people registering. The overall male champion in the 3-mile run was Henry Weis of Decorah with a time of 17:25. The overall female champion was Grace Blikre of Decorah with a time of 21:43.  Kids 12 and under were also able to participate in a ¾ mile run.  The overall male champion of the kid’s race was Jameson Schissel of Decorah with a time of 4:17; the overall female champion was Ada Lyon of Decorah with a time of 5:17. Medals were awarded to 1^st through 3^rd place finishers in each division.

 

Kids Race (3/4 mile)

Male 6 & under: Flynn Thompson (5:21), Knute Hovey (5:29), Abel Baker (5:38)

Male 7-8: Eli Lyon (4:22), William Baker (4:41), Ossie Nordschow (4:49)

Male 9-10: Jameson Schissel (4:17), Bennett Smith (4:46), Carter Todd (5:00)

Male 11-12: Carlton Nordschow (4:42), no 2^nd or 3^rd place

Female 6 & under: Cali Hovey (6:29), Ava Harless (6:55), Dylan Miner (6:56)

Female 7-8: Ada Lyon (5:17), Regan Miner (6:10), Andi Dibble (6:56)

Female 9-10: Eva Butler (6:57), Alice Peterson (8:46), no 3^rd place

Female 11-12: Violet Schmelzer (5:25), no 2^nd or 3^rd place

 

3-Mile Run

Male 14 & under: Noah Fulhart (18:20), Keaton Nalean-Carlson (18:35), Bill Fulhart (18:47)

Male 15-19: Henry Weis (17:25), Chance Adam (17:47), Aidan Nalean-Carson (17:47)

Male 20-29: Tylen Burrow (25:07), no 2^nd or 3^rd place

Male 30-39:  Natahn Todd (20:34), Kyle Huegel (20:47), Jesse Lyon (23:18)

Male 40-49:  Lee Fulhart (20:15), Justin Scordina (21:33), Rolf Peterson (24:16)

Male 50 & over: Justin Gullekson (24:00), Scott Hervey (24:04), Dan Byrnes (24:09)

Female 14 & under: Jodi Fulhart (23:59), Jilian Volz (29:28), Kylie Brincks (46:40)

Female 15-19:  Grace Blikre (21:43), Kamryn Steines (21:46), McKenzie Riley (22:12)

Female 20-29: No entrants in this age division

Female 30-39: Megan Lyon (23:17), Stacy Miner (25:28), Elizabeth Uhlenhake (28:53)

Female 40-49:  Marissa Nordschow (22:12), Olivia Christensen (30:48), Val Brincks (46 :43)

Female 50 & over: Amy Robinson (23:48), Kathy Hageman (48:40), no 3^rd place

Decorah’s Get-2-Gether (G2G) Committee and Decorah Parks and Recreation invite adults with special needs to the Winneshiek County Fair Friday, July 15 for music by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band!

A gathering area and brown bag supper will be provided for all registered participants between 4:30 and 6:30pm in the seating area under the overhang of the new community building. A number of designated parking spots will be available for G2G participants just outside the new community building.

Participants will receive ride tickets for the midway, and at 6:30pm the gates open and G2G participants will have a designated spot on the track to enjoy the concert that begins at 7:30pm!

Participants must register by Friday, July 8. Registration can be completed online or by calling the Decorah parks & Recreation Office (563-382-4158). This is a free event, but registration is required for planning purposes.

Please note, participants who have a 2022 Winneshiek County Fair Button should wear their button to the event.

The Fair Fun Run will be held Saturday, July 16. This family friendly event includes a 3/4 mile kids race for children ages 12 and under, and a 3-mle race for older children and adults. Each participant is eligible for a drawing prize distributed during the awards ceremony (must be present to win).  Refreshments are provided.  Awards are given to 1st-3rd place in each age division.

Registration can be completed online or by returning a paper registration form to the Park-Rec Office. Entry fee is $10 with a t-shirt and $5 without a t-shirt. Registration must be completed by Wednesday, June 29 to receive a shirt.

Packet up will be held and late registration will be taken 7:00-7:30am at the intersection of E Water St. and Sumner St the day of the event . The 3/4 mile run starts at 8:00 am; 3 mile at 8:30 from the fairgrounds.  The awards ceremony will be held in the Fontanelle Shelter near the Cattleman’s Building on the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds after the last participant finishes (approximately 9:30 am)

This event is made possible with the support of the Winneshiek County Fair Board and these sponsors: Collins Aerospace, Deco Products Company, Dental Associates of Decorah, Gundersen Health System, Oneota Valley Family Eye Care, The Family Table

Registration for Decorah Parks and Recreation for summer programs, activities, swim lessons and pool passes begins at 8:00am Monday, May 2. Registration can be completed online using credit/debit card or in the Park-Rec Office using cash or check.

Swim lessons begin the week of June 13. Additional information regarding swim lessons is available as a pdf or can be viewed on our Swim Lessons & Classes page.

Recreation programs and activities begin the week of June 6. A complete list of recreation programs and activities is available as a pdf or can be viewed online. Please note that children registering for summer programs and activities should register based on their grade level completed during the 2021-2022 school year.

Swim lesson and recreation classes are filled on a first come first served basis, register early for best availability.

The Decorah Municipal Swimming Pool will open for the season Tuesday, May 31. Swim pool passes can be purchased online or in the Park-Rec Office for a reduced rate through Thursday, May 26. New in 2022! Decorah Parks & Recreation will have a key card & scanner system at the pool for season pass holders. Please note that when purchasing a pool pass, a photo must be uploaded for each individual. Each person will be issued their own unique QR code (sent to their email inbox) to present for pool admission. Each person may also choose to stop by the Park-Rec Office after purchasing their pool pass online to be issued their own uniquely numbered card to present for admission. A lost card can be replaced for $5.00 and must be paid for at the Park-Rec Office.

More information including hours, daily admission fees, lap swim, water walking and aquacise classes can be found on the Swimming Pool Website.

 

The Live Healthy Iowa Kids Track Championships local track meet will be held at 4:30pm Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at the Decorah High School track. Youth ages 7 thru 14 as of December 31, 2022 are eligible to participate in this free event!

Registration is required and can be completed online. For a complete list of online registration instructions click here.

Registration can also be completed by filling out the PDF entry form and returning it via email (parkrec@decorahia.org) or in person to the Park-Rec Office no later than 4pm Friday, May 13.

1st place winners at the local meet will advance to the state championships in Marshalltown, Iowa on Saturday, June 18. More information is also available on the LIVE Healthy Iowa Kids Track Championship Website.