Easter Egg Hunt

two childer with Easter bunny

Children 8 years and under are invited to participate in Decorah Parks & Recreation’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt Sunday, April 10th at 3:00pm at Will Baker Athletic Fields!

The Egg Hunt will begin promptly at 3:00pm and children will find a designated number of eggs filled with candy or prizes. The Easter Bunny will be available for photos and egg hunters will receive a participation gift at the close of the hunt. Masks should be worn when social distancing is not possible.

Registration for the Easter Egg Hunt must be completed in the Park-Rec Office by Monday, April 4. Cost is $4 per participant and must be paid with cash or check at time of registration.

Spring Soccer Information

youth soccer player with maskDecorah Parks and Recreation Spring Soccer program is open for registration. Soccer is open to children ages 3 thru 7th grade and is held Saturday mornings at Will Baker Athletic Fields. Registration for all soccer leagues must be completed by Monday, March 7.

Pee Wee Coed Soccer League (ages 3 & 4) is held Saturday mornings, April 23 thru May 14. Cost is $20 per child and includes a t-shirt. 5 year old thru 7th grade soccer is held Saturday mornings, April 2 thru May 14 (no soccer April 16). Participants are divided according to age and grade level. Cost is $25 per participant and includes a t-shirt. All players are required to wear shin guards, which Decorah Park-Rec provides at the fields.

Registration can be completed online or in the Park-Rec Office. Credit and Debit cards are accepted online, registration in the Park-Rec Office must be paid by cash or check.

Winter Trails & Recreation Information and Map

Updated February 4, 2:00 pm  

Click here for our new XC Ski and Winter Multi-Use Trails Map

Cross Country Skiing

Skating lanes have been regroomed at the following locations  as of 3:00 pm on Thursday, February 3
West end of Dug Road to 5th Street
Ice Cave Road
Palisades

Skating Lanes at these locations were regroomed on Friday, February 4:
Carlson Park
Trout Run Trail

On Saturday, February 5, the Community Prairie will be regroomed for the Barneloppet; Will Baker Athletic Fields and the Luther bottom will also be regroomed.

Snowshoeing

Decorah Parks & Recreation encourages those snowshoeing to use the multi-use trail in Carlson Park, the Decorah Community Prairie, and the trails in Van Peenen. Please be courteous of skiers and stay off the groomed ski trails.

Plowed Walking Routes

Staff will plow routes for walking throughout the winter season.

  • Route #1: Starting at 5th Ave Bridge, travel south along bike trail to Pulpit Rock Campground. Pulpit Rock Campground will be plowed for pedestrians to walk loops around the campground and can return to 5th Ave bridge via the bike trail.
  • Route #2: Freeport trail is plowed from Bowstring Bridge to the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Pedestrians can park in the parking lot by bowstring bridge or in the northwest corner of the Walmart Parking lot.

Ice Skating Rink

Our Ice Skating Rink and Warming House hours opened for the season on January 3rd, 2022. Below are Warming House hours:

Mondays-Thursdays: 3pm-7pm

Fridays: 3pm-9pm

Saturdays: 1pm-9pm

Sundays: 1pm-7pm

Winter Walkers

Decorah Parks and Recreation invites the community to join our Winter Walkers program beginning Monday, January 10! Participate as an individual or create a walking pod (small group or family) and challenge yourself to get outside and walk every day. There is no cost to participate, participants should register online.

Each week you will receive an email that includes suggested routes, fun challenges, and a link to each week’s time log. Each submitted time log is an entry into a drawing for a monthly prize. You are not required to walk a certain amount, but rather are encouraged to set weekly goals and to keep a personal log to track and celebrate your own accomplishments.

Winter Walkers is a fun way for folks of all ages to stay active, spend time outside, and stay motivated during the winter when we are oftentimes less likely to bundle up and head outdoors. While the aim of this program is to get walking – feel free to participate as a runner or biker, as the goal is simply to get outside and get moving.

Register now and join us as we walk Decorah!

Turkey Trot – Free Event!

Participate in Decorah Parks & Recreation’s Turkey Trot Thursday, November 25 thru Sunday, November 28!

Run or walk the 5k or 1-mile loop that we have marked out in the Decorah Community Prairie anytime Thursday, November 25 thru Sunday, November 28. Submit your run/walk online and send a photo of you completing your turkey trot to decorahrec@gmail.com to be entered in a drawing to win a prize! This can be a fun challenge for individuals or for your entire household. The Decorah Community Prairie is located at the south end of Ohio Street (over the levy) in Decorah.

Winter Program Registration begins November 15

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

The following programs will be offered by Decorah Parks & Recreation in November, December, January and February. A complete list of programs and our registration form can also be viewed in our winter brochure.

Turkey TrotFree event! Run or walk the 5k or 1-mile loop that we have marked out in the Decorah Community Prairie anytime Thursday, November 25 thru Sunday, November 28. Participants should submit their name online using the form available November 25 – November 28, and send a photo of themselves completing your turkey trot to decorahrec@gmail.com to be entered in a drawing to win a prize! This can be a fun challenge for individuals or for an entire household. The Decorah Community Prairie is located at the south end of Ohio Street (over the levy) in Decorah.

Intramural High School Basketball is open to Decorah High School Students. Games are played in the High School Practice Gym on Sunday evenings, beginning January 9 and running thru mid March. More registration information will be announced at school as the deadline approaches. Registration is due Monday, December 20.

Biddy Basketball  is open to children ages 3 thru 6. This program meets in the Carrie Lee Elementary Gym on Saturday mornings, January 22 thru February 12. Participants will learn the basic fundamentals of basketball and enjoy actual team competition. Teams are grouped according to age and game rules are modified to accommodate the lower ages and skill levels. Small baskets, balls and fun teaching techniques are used with special emphasis on sportsmanship. Each Saturday consists of a skills session followed by a game. Registration is due Tuesday, January 4.

Creative Kids is open to students in Kindergarten thru 2nd grade. This program meets after school Thursdays, January 6 thru January 27. Each week will include a different activity to show off your creativity including building with Legos, arts and crafts, painting, outdoor winter games and more. Students will meet immediately after school in the John Cline Gym and this program will run 3:10 to 4:00 pm. Registration due Tuesday, January 4.

Adult Recreational Volleyball– A free drop in activity! Recreational volleyball is held in the Carrie Lee Elementary Gym (enter east doors off of Winnebago Street) on Tuesdays, January 18 thru March 29 from 7:30 to 10:00 pm. A schedule is posted in the gym and online.

Fly Fishing Workshop – Free, open – house event! The Iowa Driftless Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Decorah Parks & Recreation, and Winneshiek County Conservation will co-host this workshop on Saturday, January 29 from 10:00 am to noon in the Decorah High School Gym. Local casting instructors will discuss equipment, demonstrate basic casts, and work with participants on their fly casting skills. Participants can watch experts and learn how to tie their favorite flies. This workshop is free and open to anglers of all ages and levels of experience. This is a free event—no registration required—just show up!

Middle School Bowling is open to 5th thru 8th grade students. This program is held at Skyline Lanes on Saturdays, February 5, 12, 19, and 26 from 8:30 to 9:45 am. Participants will receive instruction from members of the High School Bowling team and will bowl one to two games during each class. Registration due Friday, January 28.

 

2021 Turkey Shoot Results

134 people participated in the 39th Annual Decorah Park-Rec. Turkey Shoot on Monday, November 8. This parent-child free throw contest was held in the high school gym.  There were 10 age categories (combined ages of parent and child) and a turkey was awarded to the top scoring team in each category.  Turkeys were provided by Decorah Fareway and other prizes by Gundersen Health System, The Getup, and T-Bocks Sports Bar & Grill.  Turkey and drawing winners are listed below and can pick up their prize in the Park-Rec. Office. Please note the Park-Rec Office is closed Thursday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day.

Turkey Winners:                                      

Jacob & Theo Reinhardt

Megan & Ada Lyon

Andrew & Brandon Bailey

Alex & Brandt Smith

Joe & Elsey Gavle

Brian & Grady Huinker

Amanda & Peyton Webb

Brigit & Brynn Storhoff

Amy & Jackson Pipho

Kathy & Kyan Oftedahl

Drawing Prize Winners:

Lisa Lantz & Gray Bassford

Zac & Peter Robinson

Tadd & Natalie Schutte

Kristi Armour & Scarlett Novak

Andy & Daphne Carlson

Carrie & Archie Webb

Bryan & Brantley Panos

Ashely & William Baker

Bethany & Josina Noble

Shirley Zaft & Jonathan Bean

Karen & Kate Pattison

Kurt & Tristan Hanson

Troy & Claudia Dixon

Olivia Schwartzhoff & Amanda Kupka

Megan & Lizzie Sherman

Alex & Barrett Smith

 

 

 

Open Basketball

Decorah Parks and Recreation hosts open basketball play for kids of all ages in the Carrie Lee Elementary Gym (enter east doors off of Winnebago Street) on Sundays, November 7 thru February 6 (excluding January 9), from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. All children in 4th grade and under must be accompanied by an adult. Little Tykes hoops and basketballs will be available for younger kids, lowered hoops for those that are a little bit older, and regular 10 foot hoops for those in 4th grade and above. Special open gym will also be available on no school days for kids in 5th thru 8th grade. A complete schedule is posted in the gym and online. This is a free, drop in activity. No need to register, just show up.

 

Middle School Dodgeball Tournament – Nov 5

Friday, November 5 (no school day!) Decorah Middle School students in 6th thru 8th grade are invited to organize teams and participate in the annual Middle School Dodgeball Tournament! Teams must be coed and games are played with 6 players (3 girls and 3 boys). Each team member must have a waiver signed by a parent/guardian. Teams must check in at the Carrie Lee Gym by 8:45 am Friday, and games will run most of the morning. Team roster/waiver forms are to be picked up in the Middle School Office. Cost is $25 per team. Registration and payment must be turned in to the Park-Rec Office by 4pm Friday, October 29.

Touch A Truck – Sat, Oct 9

Little boy wearing fireman coat and hatJoin us for this fun, free open house event for the whole family Saturday, October 9 , 11am-1pm in the parking lot behind City Hall!

Come explore your favorite vehicles including police, fire and emergency vehicles, construction equipment, farm equipment, tow trucks, and city maintenance equipment. A free hot dog lunch will be provided by the Decorah Fire Department. No need to register, just show up! This event is co-hosted with the Decorah Fire Department in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week and volunteers are provided by the Decorah Rotary Club.