News Archives - Page 16 of 26 - Decorah Park & Recreation Department

Free Event: Live Healthy Iowa Kids Track Championships – May 17

Posted: April 30, 2021 at 8:57 AM in News Recreation

The Live Healthy Iowa Kids Track Championships local track meet will be held at 4:30pm Monday, May 17, 2021 at the Decorah High School track. Youth ages 7 thru 14 as of December 31, 2021 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 to the Park-Rec Office no later than 5pm Friday, May 14.

1st place winners at the local meet will advance to the state championships in Marshalltown, Iowa on Saturday, June 19. More information is also available on the LIVE Healthy Iowa Kids Track Championship Website.

Garlic Mustard Awareness Week: April 11-17

Posted: April 7, 2021 at 12:33 PM in News

Mayor Lorraine Borowski is declaring by proclamation: April 11-17 Garlic Mustard Awareness Week

Garlic mustard is an invasive plant that can take over our woodlands if it is not controlled.

Join Friends of the Park to learn about and help remove garlic mustard at the following events! For all events bring gloves, and a hand diggers or hoe if you have them. We’ll also have tools on hand.

Wednesday, April 14, 4-5pm: Dunning’s Spring parking lot on the south side of Ice Cave Rd.

Friday, April 16, 4-5pm: Palisades parking lot near where the paved road forks up towards Palisades Park.

Saturday, April 17, 10am-noon: Van Peenen parking lot off of Quarry Hill Rd.

Other outings are being planned before and after, and opportunities to adopt a plot will be provided. Please contact: Mary Lewis 563-202-4064 lewismar@mediacombb.net for further information.

Try eating the enemy (garlic mustard) at both La Rana and Rubaiyat during the week of April 11. Both restaurants will serve tasty offerings made from Garlic Mustard.

Prairie Burns Scheduled

Posted: April 6, 2021 at 11:47 AM in News Uncategorized

Prescribed prairie burns will take place on parts of the Decorah Community Prairie. The burns will take place between April 12 and May 14. Weather conditions are the major determination as to when the burns will take place. If you would like a notification of the exact day and time of the burns, please call the Park and Rec. office at 382-4158 and leave your phone number. We will try to notify you when the exact date and time are determined.

Prescribed burns are an effective resource management tool utilized to discourage the growth of weeds and woody vegetation while promoting the growth of desired native vegetation in prairie restoration sites.

Job Openings: Summer Lifeguards

Posted: March 9, 2021 at 1:37 PM in News

The Decorah Parks and Recreation Department is looking for highly energetic, motivated, and responsible individuals to join our staff as lifeguards!

The Decorah Parks and Recreation Department is now taking applications for lifeguards for the 2021 pool season. The pool season runs mid-May through late-August and offers full and part-time lifeguard positions. For more information and to request an application contact the Decorah Parks and Recreation Office at 563-382-4158 or via email (parkrec@decorahia.org).

The Decorah Parks & Recreation Department is still working to finalize lifeguard certification dates.

Spring Off Road Trail Etiquette & Information

Posted: March 7, 2021 at 11:26 AM in News

Spring weather has arrived and we are all ready to get outside and enjoy the trails, but unfortunately many off road trails are not ready for bike or foot traffic just yet. Each spring the off road trails go through freeze thaw cycles and walking or riding trails too early in the season can cause significant immediate as well as long term damage. This can also occur after rain, which results in muddy trails.

Decorah boasts a wonderful off road trail system. Please be mindful of trail conditions before heading walking, riding, or running on the trails, and please remember to stay on trails while you’re exploring.

For more information regarding freeze thaw cycles please visit this article by Decorah Human Powered Trails, which was published a few years ago, but is still equally relevant today.

Thanks for being respectful of the trail system and for monitoring trail conditions before you head out to explore!

Easter Egg Hunt – Sun, March 28

Posted: March 3, 2021 at 12:18 PM in News Recreation

Children 8 years and under are invited to participate in Decorah Parks & Recreation’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt Sunday, March 28th 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 Friday, March 19. Cost is $4 per participant and must be paid with cash or check at time of registration.

BookWalk in Phelps Park

Posted: March 2, 2021 at 2:20 PM in News Recreation

The Decorah Public Library, the Decorah Community School District, and the Decorah Parks and Recreation Department are hosting a BookWalk Friday, March 12 thru Sunday, March 28.

A BookWalk is a fun way to read while enjoying the outdoors. This month’s story is Whoever You Are written by Leslie Staub. Pages of the book will be posted on the paved trail in Phelps Park.

The BookWalk is free, open to the public, and does not require registration. The story is available in both English and Spanish.

Winter Trail & Recreation Information

Posted: February 12, 2021 at 1:00 AM in News

Updated March 3, 2021

The ice rink and snow are melting quickly due to warm temperatures. The extended forecast of temperatures in the 40s and 50s are bringing an ended to our outdoor winter recreation opportunities. At this point, the ice rink is closed and the ski trails are continually melting away. Thanks for a wonderful winters season!

Skiing

The following trails were groomed Monday, February 22

Carlson Park
Palisades
Trout Run Trail section beginning at the west end of Dug Road and traveling east to the Fish Hatchery
Will Baker Athletic Fields

The following trails were groomed Tuesday, February 23

Decorah Community Prairie
Luther College Intramural Fields
Luther Gateway Prairie
Trout Run Trail from the Decorah Campground to the Fish Hatchery traveling south

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 – new this season!

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 Haugen Hummel. Pedestrians can park in the parking lot by bowstring bridge or in the northwest corner of the Walmart Parking lot.

Ice Skating Rink

The skating rink opened for the season January 1, 2021. The warming house and restrooms are closed due to COVID-19, but a porta potty is available. There is no rink attendant. Please obey signage and be mindful of cones which indicate poor ice conditions. Park-Rec staff will continue to add water to the rink evenings when overnight temperatures dip into the teens. It is important that individuals stay off the rink after it is flooded to give water time to freeze and make good ice.

February Book Walk

Posted: February 11, 2021 at 4:57 PM in News Recreation

The Decorah Public Library, the Decorah Community School District, and the Decorah Parks and Recreation Department are hosting a Book Walk Friday, February 12 thru Sunday, February 28.

A Book Walk is a fun way to read while enjoying the outdoors. This month’s story is Last Stop on Market Street written by Matt De La Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson. Pages of the book will be posted beginning at Bowstring Bridge off of Highway 9 and traveling northeast along the Freeport Trail towards the Dog Park.

The Book Walk is free, open to the public, and does not require registration. The story is available in both English and Spanish.

Biddy Basketball Jamboree – Feb 27 & 28

Posted: February 5, 2021 at 8:07 AM in News Recreation

Decorah Parks and Recreation is hosting a Biddy Basketball Jamboree for children ages three thru six. Children ages three and four may sign up to participate in one 30 minute session Saturday morning, February 27 and children ages five and six may sign up to participate in one half hour session Sunday afternoon, February 28. All children must participate with a parent/guardian/adult. Park-Rec staff will introduce participants to basic fundamentals of basketball using fun teaching techniques.

Each session is limited to a maximum of 15 children. Attendance is limited to the registered participant and one adult. Spectators are not permitted due to COVID-19, and to ensure adequate space for program participants. Children, parents, coaches, volunteers, and anyone who enters school facilities must wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth at all times, including while participating in the Biddy Basketball Jamboree. Cost is $5 per participant. Registration is due Friday, February 19. Registration may be completed online or in the Park-Rec Office.

The Biddy Basketball Jamboree will be held in the Carrie Lee Gymnasium. Please enter the gym using the doors on the east side of the building along Winnebago Street. Participants and participating adults are asked to bring a clean pair of ‘court shoes’ to change into and wear on the court once they arrive. Please note, this program will be suspended if school is suspended or moves to remote only learning due to COVID-19.