Winter Walkers – New Program!

Decorah Parks and Recreation invites the community to join our February Winter Walkers program beginning Monday, February 1! 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, but participants should register online.

Participants may enter to win monthly drawing prizes, receive weekly motivational/informational emails, and be invited to participate in fun weekly challenges. While the goal of this program is to get walking – individuals may also participate as a runner or biker, what matters is you get outside and get moving.

Participants should log daily activity (in distance or time walked), and should submit weekly activity logs to be entered in monthly prize drawings. Prizes will be awarded to individuals and walking pods at the end of the month. Information to submit weekly activity logs will be emailed to walkers after they complete the free online registration. Participants are not required to walk a certain amount, but walkers are encouraged to set  goals for themselves or their pod.

The Decorah Parks and Recreation Department will highlight various plowed walking routes throughout the program, but walkers are also welcome and encouraged to walk in their neighborhood or other favorite locations. 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.

Register now and join us as we walk Decorah!

Hot Chocolate Walk Sun, Jan 31

Decorah Parks and Recreation is hosting a Hot Chocolate Walk Sunday, January 31, 3:00-4:30pm in celebration of National Hot Chocolate Day!

Join the fun, get yourself moving and say goodbye to January and hello to February with this free, open-house event. The event begins and ends in the parking lot off of Ice Cave Road, and across from Dunning’s Spring Park. Walkers may choose the distance they walk on a plowed route, and the time they arrive. Parks and Recreation staff will have a fire ready for walkers to meet and warm up from 3:00-4:30pm.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own hot chocolate (B.Y.O.H.C.). Masks should be worn when social distancing is not possible. No registration is required. For more information contact the Decorah Parks and Recreation Office by calling 563-382-4158.

Tacky the Penguin Book Walk

The Decorah Public Library, the Decorah Community School District, and the Decorah Parks and Recreation Department are hosting a BookWalk Friday, January 15 thru Sunday, January 24.

A BookWalk is a fun way to read while enjoying the outdoors. This month’s story is Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester. Pages of the book will be posted beginning on the trail just south of the 5th Ave Bridge and across from Will Baker Athletic Fields in Decorah. The story will continue traveling south along the trail to and around Pulpit Rock Campground.

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

Participants can be entered in a drawing to win a $25 gift card to Cardboard Robot if they fill out this online survey after completing the BookWalk!

Sharp Shooters, Hoopsters, and Adult Volleyball Leagues Resume in January

Sharp Shooters, Hoopsters and Adult Volleyball Leagues that were suspended in mid-November due to COVID-19 regulations will resume in January.

Women’s Volleyball League will resume Wednesday, January 6. Sharp Shooters Basketball will resume Saturday, January 9. Coed Volleyball will resume Sunday, January 10. Hoopsters Basketball will resume Monday, January 11.

Participants in Sharp Shooters and Hoopsters should check their email for additional information. Participants in Adult Volleyball Leagues should check with their team captain for additional information.

For further information please contact the Decorah Parks & Recreation Office at 563-382-4158.

 

New Year’s at Home

Decorah park-Rec New Year's Eve at HomeRing in the New Year at home!  Decorah Parks & Recreation is creating a bag of supplies for families to celebrate New Year’s Eve at home. The bag will include crafts and activities for indoors and outdoors to help make New Year’s a special celebration amidst a year that has been unlike any other.

Families wishing to participate should register their children (bags are geared for ages 2-10 years) online by Wednesday, December 16. New Year’s Eve at Home bags will be available for families to pick up 8am-5pm Tuesday, December 29 outside the Park-Rec Office.

There is no cost to participate in this program, but a box for free will donations will be set up outside the Park-Rec Office throughout pick-up day.  Funds received will be used to support this and future free activities offered by Decorah Parks & Recreation.  If you have questions please contact the Park-Rec Office via email (parkrec@decorahia.org) or by calling 563-382-4158.

 

 

G2G Drive Thru Santa Event

G2G Drive Thru Santa Event

Free Event for Adults with Special Needs

Decorah Parks & Recreation is hosting a Get-2-Gether (G2G) Drive Thru Santa Event for adults with special needs Saturday, December 19, 10:00-11:30am outside the Spectrum Network Kitchen at 200 Railroad Street, Decorah. Adults with special needs are invited to stop outside of Spectrum Network in Decorah to greet Santa and receive a small goodie bag. Participants should stay in their vehicles. This is a free event, but participants must register online at http://www.get2g.com/ or by calling the Park-Rec Office (563-382-4158) by Thursday, December 17.

Thanksgiving Adventure Series Prize Winners Announced

Decorah Parks and Recreation hosted a series of free, self-guided, outdoor events Thanksgiving weekend! This included a Turkey Trot (5k and 1 mile loop) in the Decorah Community Prairie, a Fun Fact walk along Ice Cave Road and River Trail, a Downtown Turkey Hunt, and a Carlson Park Adventure. All activities were set up and available for participants to complete Thursday, November 26 thru Sunday, November 29. All participants were entered in a drawing to win Chamber Dollars, which can be used at local Decorah businesses.

Nearly 200 individuals participated in the Thanksgiving Adventure Series. Prize winners were selected at random and are listed below.

Aiden & Everly

Barry, Olivia & Spencer

Kayla, Jenny, Julie & Bob

Gregg, Karen, Kyle & Kate

Thanks to all who participated and a special congratulations to the drawing prize winners!

Pop Up Event: Thanksgiving Adventure Series

Decorah Parks and Recreation is hosting a series of free, self-guided, outdoor events Thanksgiving weekend! This includes a Turkey Trot (5k and 1 mile loop) in the Decorah Community Prairie, a Fun Fact walk along Ice Cave Road and River Trail, a Downtown Turkey Hunt, and a Carlson Park Adventure. All activities will be set up and available for participants to complete Thursday, November 26 thru Sunday, November 29. Participants are eligible for drawing prizes.

Turkey Trot

Run or walk the 5k or 1-mile loop that we have marked out in the Decorah Community Prairie. 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. Click here to submit your run/walk or send a picture of you during your turkey trot to parkrec@decorahia.org to be entered in a drawing to win a prize.

Fun Fact Turkey Walk

Find the turkeys on the trail as you walk Ice Cave Road and River Trail. Park in the gravel lot on the south side of Ice Cave Road near Palisades Park. Head west on Ice Cave Road until you reach the gravel parking lot on the south side of Ice Cave Road (near Dunning’s Spring Park) From there travel east on River Trail and follow the trail to return to where you parked. Read the signs along the route and you’ll be sure to learn something about turkeys that you never knew before. Look for a sign on the trail with instructions for your chance to win a drawing prize.

Downtown Turkey Hunt

Stroll downtown and see how many paper turkeys you can find in the storefront windows of local businesses. Be sure to walk the sidewalks on both the north side and south side of water street so you don’t miss any. For an added challenge see if you can figure out what all of the businesses with turkeys in the storefronts have in common. Click here to let us know how many turkeys you spotted and what you think the businesses with turkeys have in common. All participants will be entered in a drawing to win a prize.

Carlson Park Turkey Adventure

Challenge yourself and walk the loop at Carlson park. You’ll find turkeys with activities for you to complete throughout your walking adventure. Carlson Park is one of Decorah’s newest parks and is located adjacent to St. Benedict Cemetery on Pleasant Avenue heading south towards the Fish Hatchery. The park currently includes a 2-mile grass loop through the park. Look for a sign on the trail with instructions for your chance to win a drawing prize.

Hoopsters, Sharp Shooters, and Adult Volleyball Leagues Suspended

Decorah Parks and Recreation staff follow the direction of state and local authorities and will work to determine if alternative programming dates are an option in the future. We appreciate your continued patience and understanding as we navigate this unprecedented time.  If you have questions or concerns please reach out to us by emailing parkrec@decorahia.org or by calling the Park-Rec Office at 563-382-4158.

Click here for the Governor’s Proclamation.

Turkey Shoot Winners Announced!

November 4, 2020 – News Release:  Turkey Shoot Results
76 people participated in the 38th Annual Decorah Park-Rec. Turkey Shoot on Tuesday, November 3.  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 Deco Products Company, The Family Table, Oneota Valley Family Eye Care, and T-Bocks Sports Bar & Grill.  Turkey and drawing winners listed below should pick up their certificate or prize in front of City Hall Thursday, November 5, 8am-5pm. Winners that are unable to pick up their prize November 5, should email recreation@decorahia.org or call 563-382-4158 to setup arrange a pick up time.

Turkey Winners

38 & under: Megan and Ada Lyon

39-41: Andrew and Brandon Bailey

42-22: Bryan and Beckham Panos

45-47: Tadd and Harper Schutte

48-50: Amanda and Payge Webb

51-53: Brian and Grace Huinker

54-56: Jonathan and Mark Bean

57-79: Scott and Noah Milburn

60-62: Gregg and Kyle Pattison

63 & over: Jerry & Will Robinson

 

Drawing Prize Winners

Zac and Pater Robinson

Tadd and Natalie Schutte

Erick and Fitzgerald Kephart

Brian and Grady Huinker

Josh and Cora Giddings

Tristan and Kurt Hanson

Scott and Dawson Irons

Joe and Elsey Gavle

Kathy and Kyan Oftedahl

Curly and Draiden Todd

Nick and Carter Rissman

Michael Bean and Shirley Zaft